The profile has been compiled by AI, based on the school’s website and other publicly available sources of information. Please report any incorrect or inaccurate information to: support@doris.school. If you are the school and would like to claim this profile please click here.
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, STEM, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages High School
Introduction
Beacon Academy Chicago serves students aged 14 to 18 as an independent high school. The curriculum blends a Core Curriculum (9–12) with an International Baccalaureate (IB) program for 11–12 and an Experiential Program (XP) also for 11–12, designed with business-school educators to deliver professional experiences and skills. The Bespoke Curriculum supports individualized pathways within the IB framework. The Evanston campus anchors learning in the city, offering glass-walled, open-floor-plan spaces with modular, mobile furniture to support inquiry and collaboration. Students access cultural institutions, businesses, and community resources nearby, linking classroom work to real-world applications. Extracurriculars include student-led clubs such as Model UN, American Sign Language, Chess, Science Olympiad, Dungeons & Dragons, Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Yearbook, Outdoor Club, and Pride Party. The program features Arts Annex activities, a strong Arts program, and a Service Learning program with 30+ partners. 100% IB diploma candidates pass. I-Term provides cross-cultural experiences and global perspectives through travel.
1574 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, United States
Gallery
The school has not added photos
The Essentials
Beacon Academy Chicago has instruction in English.
Location
Evanston, Illinois. Address: 1574 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201. Located in the heart of Evanston, Beacon Academy is set within a city environment with direct access to cultural institutions, businesses, and community resources.
Stages
High school (Grades 9-12).
Type
Independent high school.
Diving Deeper
Governance and Ownership
Beacon Academy is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board is comprised of parents, alumni parents, and community members, and always includes at least one Montessori educator. It is governed by bylaws, sets long-range strategic plans, and oversees the fiscal health of the school. The Board's key responsibilities include the selection, support, and evaluation of the Head of School, as well as Head of School succession planning. The Board collaborates with the administration, faculty, and community of students and families to advance Beacon Academy's values as a Montessori high school that is at the forefront of reimagining a 21st century high school education.
Fees
Annual tuition at Beacon Academy Chicago ranges from USD 41,413 to USD 43,163 for 2026/27.
Application fee - A non‑refundable application fee is required at submission via the Ravenna application portal; third‑party listings indicate this fee is USD 100.
Tuition fees (annual; 2026–2027 academic year) - Annual tuition (all grades offered - high school program): USD 41,413 for the 2026–2027 academic year. - Activity fee (annual, per student): USD 1,750. This activity fee covers registration fees for clubs, athletics, and after‑school activities; it does not cover certain optional items such as Outdoor Club, Model UN, I‑Term activity fees, or I‑Term travel.
Tuition by school year / year group - Beacon Academy is an independent high school serving the high‑school grades it lists on its publications; the published tuition above (USD 41,413) applies as the annual tuition figure for the 2026–2027 school year. No separate published tuition schedule by individual grade (9–12) or alternate year‑group rates was found.
Per‑term or instalment breakdown - The school publishes an annual tuition figure for 2026–2027 (USD 41,413). Families are required to complete enrollment contracts and deposits by the school's published enrollment date; the school uses third‑party systems (Ravenna and FACTS) for application, financial aid, and tuition processes. Specific per‑term billing amounts (e.g., exact installment amounts if billed by term or semester) are not listed in the public tuition summary; families set up payment plans through the school's tuition management process.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Key admissions/billing dates: the school's calendar and admissions timeline set the date for enrollment contracts and deposits to be due (example: Enrollment Contracts and Deposits Due — March 9, 2026, for that admissions cycle). Accepted students are expected to complete enrollment paperwork and deposit by the published deadline. - Application payments are processed through the Ravenna portal at the time of application submission. Tuition assistance applications are processed via FACTS. Families arrange tuition payment plans and submit payment methods through the school's designated systems.
Boarding fees - Beacon Academy is an independent day high school located in Evanston, IL; no boarding program or boarding fees are published. Boarding fees are not applicable.
Other costs and typical additional fees - I‑Term and activity‑specific fees: Certain I‑Term courses, off‑campus experiences, and travel options carry additional fees. Examples from published I‑Term materials include: a multi‑city I‑Term travel experience estimated at USD 900–1,200 with an initial non‑refundable trip deposit of USD 500; on‑campus workshop/course fees ranging from about USD 20 to USD 100+ depending on materials and vendor costs; specific activity fees such as bowling or rock‑climbing course fees (examples: USD 70, USD 100). The announced annual activity fee does not cover these I‑Term or travel costs. - Student store / spirit wear, optional program fees, suggested course materials, and spending money for off‑campus outings are additional and vary by activity. The activity fee covers basic club/athletic registration but excludes specified optional activities and travel.
Refund information (where applicable) - I‑Term travel and some I‑Term activity deposits are specified as non‑refundable (example: the USD 500 initial deposit for the sample I‑Term travel opportunity is non‑refundable). No standalone, detailed public tuition refund policy (for withdrawal from the school or term‑by‑term tuition refunds) was located on the school's publicly accessible pages.
Fee payment options - Application fee: paid at submission through the Ravenna application portal. - Tuition assistance and tuition payment administration: the school uses FACTS for tuition assistance application processing and families interact with FACTS for financial aid and tuition administration. FACTS‑managed tuition/payment plans commonly accept ACH (bank draft) and credit/debit card payments (subject to the vendor's convenience fees or processing fees). Expect families to set up payment methods and payment schedules through the school's FACTS/Ravenna tuition system.
Summary of what is published and items not publicly broken down - Published, load‑bearing figures available: annual tuition for 2026–2027 (USD 41,413) and the annual activity fee (USD 1,750); I‑Term and activity fee examples and the non‑refundable trip deposit example. - Items not publicly detailed on the school's published pages: a grade‑by‑grade tuition schedule (separate fees by year group), a clear per‑term installment schedule with published per‑term amounts, the explicit enrollment deposit amount required at contract acceptance for the 2026–2027 cycle, and a centralized published tuition refund policy for full‑year tuition withdrawals. The school's admissions calendar does state the enrollment contract and deposit due date (e.g., March 9, 2026).
(End of fees overview.)
Academics
Beacon Academy Chicago teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 14 to 18.
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (9-12); International Baccalaureate (IB) for 11-12; and XP (11-12) based on the IB model, designed with business school educators to provide professional experiences and skills.
Exam Results
IB diploma candidate pass rate: 100%. 11% of Class of '25 were National Merit scholarship recipients or Semifinalists.
Higher Education Progression
100% of students matriculate to one of their top three colleges.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Beacon Academy emphasizes social-emotional learning as a core element of student development. The environment is described as safe and inclusive, with strong student/faculty connections that support belonging, respect, and open dialogue. The advisory program provides one-on-one guidance to support personal growth, and community meeting practices foster leadership, collaboration, and reflection.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Beacon Academy fosters inclusion and diversity as core values, creating a safe, accepting environment for all learners. The Equity & Inclusion work includes the Student Inclusion Council and affinity groups to address diverse needs and experiences, and a culture that challenges oppression and demeaning behaviors.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is English; all content areas are taught in English, with English as a Second Language support available as needed. Students must complete two years of a world language (or reach third-level proficiency) to graduate; Arabic, French, and Spanish are offered, with Hebrew, Italian, and Mandarin studied via online platforms where available.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through a safe climate and strong adult–student relationships. The advisory program and student life practices foster belonging and personal growth, while equity and inclusion work promotes brave space for discussing experiences and identities.
Safeguarding
Beacon Academy maintains a Bullying Prevention Policy (updated September 15, 2025) and an inclusive climate that protects students from harassment, with DEI initiatives and a safe-space culture supporting safeguarding across the school community.
Parent Experience
Community
Beacon Academy is located in downtown Evanston, providing proximity to cultural and educational institutions, public resources, restaurants, and public transportation. The Evanston & Our Space page notes the school's campus is designed with glass walls and an open floor plan to support interdisciplinary learning, with spaces where students and teachers regularly collaborate in the same environment and a communal 'Kitchen Table' for independent study or planning time. The school describes itself as a community school in the strongest sense, with local organizations, Evanston, and greater Chicago serving as its extended campus. It emphasizes service learning, fieldwork, and apprenticeships with experts as part of ongoing projects and real-world problem solving.
Facilities
Facilities Overview
Beacon Academy's Evanston campus places the city at the center of learning. The campus is designed as a flexible, collaborative space that supports interdisciplinary programs. The space is encased in glass walls with an open floor plan to encourage interaction between students and teachers. Ergonomic furniture is largely on wheels to allow flexible configurations for different activities. The campus offers direct access to cultural institutions, businesses, and community resources in Evanston, integrating the city with daily learning.
Academic Facilities
Academic spaces support Beacon's reimagined learning model. The campus uses a glass-walled, open-floor-plan environment with modular, mobile furniture to configure spaces for inquiry and collaboration. Core Curriculum for grades 9-12, International Baccalaureate (IB) for grades 11-12, and XP for 11-12 provide interdisciplinary pathways. Instruction emphasizes inquiry, collaboration, and real-world experiences, connecting classroom work with the wider community.
Extra Curricular Facilities
Beacon offers student-led clubs and activities beyond visual and performing arts and athletics. At the start of each academic year a Club Fair introduces options and students may propose new clubs to the Dean of Students. Current offerings include Model UN, American Sign Language, Chess, Science Olympiad, Dungeons & Dragons, Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Yearbook, Outdoor Club, and Pride Party. Clubs are student-directed with faculty support to balance academics and co-curricular life.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Academic & Intellectual
Beacon Academy offers three academic pathways: Core Curriculum (9–12), International Baccalaureate (IB) (11–12), and the Experiential Program (XP) (11–12). In 9th–10th grade, Core Curriculum uses an integrated American Studies curriculum (History and Literature) with a mathematics sequence that blends Algebra, Functions, Geometry, Statistics, and Calculus; in 11th–12th grade, students study global perspectives in Literature and History, including Crime Literature, Modern Latin America, and Imperial China, and complete major research and advocacy projects. IB provides an established, interdisciplinary program recognized by colleges worldwide, while XP is Beacon's IB-based pathway designed with business-school educators to deliver forward-looking professional experiences and skills. 100% of IB diploma candidates pass.
Arts & Creative
Arts at Beacon includes Arts, Film Studies, Visual Art, Music, and Theatre. Students engage in advanced, self-directed work in Digital Art and Modern Photography in the 11th–12th grades, and the program emphasizes critique, collaboration, and connection to culture. The arts program fosters expression within an inclusive community and encourages students to craft meaningful work with an entrepreneurial mindset. Come explore our Arts Annex at 1026 Davis.
Cultural & Language
Model UN is offered as a student club, and American Sign Language is also available as a club. I-Term & Travel provides cross-cultural experiences through week-long, multi-disciplinary study and travel opportunities. Beacon's campus in Evanston and Chicago offers direct access to cultural institutions, businesses, and community resources, linking classroom learning with the wider world.
Social & Hobbies
Life at Beacon includes daily lunch, weekly Community Meetings, school dances, big games, seasonal performances, and graduation. Every student joins a student-led club or activity guided by faculty and reflecting personal interests; offerings include Model UN, American Sign Language, Chess, Science Olympiad, Dungeons & Dragons, Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Yearbook, Outdoor Club, and Pride Party. 75% of students participate in at least one sport, reflecting strong athletic engagement.
Community & Service
Service Learning engages Beacon students with more than 30 partner organizations; partners include Evanston School Children's Clothing Association (ESCCA), Family Focus, and Connections for the Homeless/Hilda's Place. The annual Service Learning Fair introduces students to many non-profit partners, after which they connect with an organization based on interest and logistics. Students engage in school-wide project-based service, such as food or book drives and community clean-ups, often led by Beacon's Interact and SERVE clubs, with reflection encouraged and portfolios maintained.
Leadership & Professional
College Counseling provides a comprehensive, student-centered, fit-based approach to postsecondary discernment and selection. Every student engages in a unique journey of self-discovery, with families and the college counselor supplying support, counsel, and direction, while students lead the process and develop research and advocacy skills. Programs and services cover standardized testing, financial aid and scholarships, college lists and research, essays, the application process, and college placement, all grounded in Beacon's mission and social-emotional learning programs.
Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Beacon supports social-emotional health through I-Term, a week-long experiential learning and travel period built around inclusion, innovation, interdependence, and independence. The school adopts a later start and end to the day with a block schedule and advisory and study time to support well-being. Learning happens everywhere—from classrooms to Community Meetings to travel—fostering balance, connection, and overall well-being.
Languages
Language Provision
The language of instruction at Beacon Academy is English. All content areas, with the exception of Group 2 world languages, are taught in English. World Languages offered to the entire student body are Arabic, French, and Spanish; Hebrew, Italian, and Mandarin can be studied via online platforms such as Pamoja Education and LanguageBird Academy. ESL support is available as needed, and students must complete two years of a world language or reach third-level proficiency to graduate.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Application & Shadow Day. The admissions process uses Ravenna; create or log in to Ravenna, select Beacon Academy, and pay the application fee. Shadow Days allow applicants to attend Beacon classes after submitting the application; Shadow Days are scheduled on designated days from November 2025 through January 2026 via Ravenna.
2. Parent Interview. The Parent/Guardian Interview is required and may be held in person or via Zoom; it is scheduled after the application is submitted in Ravenna to help the school learn about the family and for parents to learn more about Beacon.
3. Letters of Recommendation. Letters of recommendation are required from the student's current English and math teachers and from an advisor or school administrator; provide names and emails for each recommender in Ravenna; the deadline is January 5 for sibling applicants and January 31 for new applicants.
4. School Records. Provide the report card or progress report from the prior academic year and the official transcript (if available); upload documents into Ravenna or have the current school email them to Admissions; deadlines are January 5 for sibling applicants and January 31 for new applicants.
5. Standardized Test Scores. Provide a copy of recent standardized test results; ISEE is not required; MAP or other standardized tests are accepted; if a student has not taken a test, contact the Admissions Office.
6. IEP/504/Learning Support Plan. If the student receives learning support services or accommodations, provide a copy of the 504/IEP/Learning Plan and neuropsychological evaluation; upload documents as PDF in Ravenna.
7. Gift Acceptance Policy. The school has a Gift Acceptance Policy preventing gifts that could influence admissions decisions; no gift will be accepted from any affiliated or non-affiliated person or donor if given with the intention of influencing an admission outcome; while an application is pending, gifts are not accepted from non-affiliated applicant family members or their representatives.
8. Nondiscrimination. Beacon Academy does not discriminate against prospective students or their families in its admissions or financial aid policies on the basis of listed characteristics such as race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, political and social values, culture, gender identity, religion, physical ability, family structure, and learning style.
Scholarships
Beacon Academy partners with the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund and HFS Chicago Scholars to provide academic and financial support to high achieving, under-resourced students in the Chicagoland area. Informational flyers are available in English and Spanish. Tuition for 2026-2027 is $41,413; Activity Fee: $1,750, which covers registration for clubs, athletics, and after-school activities (Outdoor Club, Model UN, I-Term Activity Fees or I-Term Travel are not included). The Tuition Assistance application for 2026-27 is now open; Returning families and sibling applicants should apply by December 15, 2025; Tuition Assistance applications for new family applicants are due January 31, 2026. Download the FACTS tuition assistance flyer in English or Spanish.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
Where is Beacon Academy Chicago located and what is the campus like?
Beacon Academy is located at 1574 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, in the heart of Evanston with easy access to cultural institutions, businesses, and public resources. The campus features glass-walled, open-floor-plan learning spaces with modular, mobile furniture designed to support inquiry, collaboration, and city-integrated learning.
What ages and grades does Beacon Academy serve and is it co-educational?
Beacon Academy serves students aged 14 to 18 across high-school grades (9–12) and is a co-educational independent high school. The program includes grade-specific pathways for 9th–12th grade learning.
What curriculum options does Beacon offer for high-school students?
Beacon offers a Core Curriculum for grades 9–12, the International Baccalaureate (IB) for grades 11–12, and an Experiential Program (XP) for grades 11–12 that is IB-based and designed with business-school educators. A Bespoke Curriculum supports individualized pathways within the IB framework.
How do I apply to Beacon Academy and what are the key application steps?
Applications are submitted through the Ravenna portal, and applicants may attend a Shadow Day after applying. Required elements include a Parent/Guardian interview (in person or via Zoom), letters of recommendation from current English and math teachers plus an advisor or administrator, recent school records/transcripts, and standardized test scores or equivalent; recommendation and records deadlines are January 5 for sibling applicants and January 31 for new applicants.
Is there an application fee and how much is it?
A non‑refundable application fee is required at submission via the Ravenna application portal; third‑party listings indicate this fee is USD 100.
Does Beacon offer scholarships or tuition assistance and how do I apply?
Beacon partners with the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund and HFS Chicago Scholars to support high-achieving, under-resourced students, and it offers tuition assistance applications processed via FACTS. Returning families and sibling applicants should apply for tuition assistance by December 15, 2025, while tuition assistance applications for new family applicants are due January 31, 2026.
What other fees or extra costs should families expect beyond tuition?
Families should budget for an annual activity fee of USD 1,750 that covers registration for clubs, athletics, and after-school activities but does not cover certain I‑Term or travel fees. Some I‑Term travel experiences are estimated at USD 900–1,200 with an initial non‑refundable trip deposit of USD 500, and on‑campus workshop/course fees commonly range from about USD 20 to USD 100+ with other specific activity fees sometimes around USD 70 or USD 100.
What are the school's academic outcomes and college placement successes?
Beacon reports that 100% of IB diploma candidates pass and that 100% of students matriculate to one of their top three colleges. Additionally, 11% of the Class of 2025 were National Merit scholarship recipients or Semifinalists.
What does a typical academic program look like in 9th and 10th grade versus 11th and 12th grade?
In 9th–10th grade students follow an integrated American Studies Core Curriculum that blends History and Literature alongside a mathematics sequence covering Algebra, Functions, Geometry, Statistics, and Calculus. In 11th–12th grade, students pursue global-perspective Literature and History, undertake major research and advocacy projects, and choose between the IB diploma pathway or the XP experiential IB-based pathway.
What is the Experiential Program (XP) and how does it differ from the IB?
XP is an IB-based pathway designed with business-school educators to provide professional experiences and practical skills alongside the academic rigor of the IB model. It emphasizes workplace-ready competencies and experiential learning while aligning with IB interdisciplinary standards for 11th–12th graders.
What kinds of arts programs and facilities does Beacon offer?
Beacon's Arts offerings include Arts, Film Studies, Visual Art, Music, and Theatre, with advanced, self-directed Digital Art and Modern Photography options in 11th–12th grades. The Arts Annex is located at 1026 Davis and supports critique, collaboration, and culture-connected projects.
What extracurricular clubs and activities are available to students?
Students lead a variety of clubs with faculty support; current offerings include Model UN, American Sign Language, Chess, Science Olympiad, Dungeons & Dragons, Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Yearbook, Outdoor Club, and Pride Party. A Club Fair at the start of each year introduces options and students may propose new clubs to the Dean of Students.
What is I‑Term and what sort of travel or experiential opportunities does it include?
I‑Term is a week-long experiential learning period offering multidisciplinary, cross-cultural study that can include on-campus workshops and off-campus travel. Some I‑Term travel options include week-long multi-city experiences with estimated costs (examples USD 900–1,200) and initial non‑refundable deposits (example USD 500); many I‑Term opportunities also involve modest course or materials fees.
How does Beacon connect student learning with the local community and organizations?
Beacon treats Evanston and greater Chicago as an extended campus, integrating fieldwork, apprenticeships, and partnerships into projects and coursework. Service Learning connects students with more than 30 partner organizations—examples include ESCCA, Family Focus, and Connections for the Homeless/Hilda's Place—through a Service Learning Fair and ongoing collaboration.
What supports are available for students who are learning English as an additional language?
The language of instruction is English, and English as a Second Language support is available as needed. To graduate, students must complete two years of a world language or reach third-level proficiency, and world languages offered to the full student body include Arabic, French, and Spanish.
How does Beacon support students with diverse learning needs and inclusion?
Beacon emphasizes inclusion and diversity through Equity & Inclusion initiatives, the Student Inclusion Council, and affinity groups that create supportive spaces and challenge oppressive behavior. Families of students who receive learning support are asked to provide IEP/504/Learning Plans and neuropsychological evaluations as part of the admissions process so supports can be considered.
What mental-health and safeguarding measures does the school have in place?
Beacon prioritizes social-emotional learning through advisory, Community Meetings, and an environment described as safe and inclusive, with practices to foster belonging and reflection. The school maintains a Bullying Prevention Policy (updated September 15, 2025) and DEI work that supports a safe climate and protection from harassment.
Is Beacon a boarding school and what is the school's governance structure?
Beacon Academy is an independent day high school located in Evanston and does not operate a boarding program. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of parents, alumni parents, and community members, which always includes at least one Montessori educator and oversees long-range strategy, fiscal health, and Head of School selection and evaluation.
What is student life like day-to-day and what community traditions exist?
Student life includes daily lunch, weekly Community Meetings, school dances, big games, seasonal performances, and graduation, with every student participating in a student-led club or activity. The school also uses a later start and block schedule with advisory and study time to support well-being, and roughly 75% of students participate in at least one sport.
Which world languages can students study and are there online language options?
Beacon offers Arabic, French, and Spanish to the entire student body, while Hebrew, Italian, and Mandarin can be studied via online platforms such as Pamoja Education and LanguageBird Academy. All content areas (except Group 2 world languages) are taught in English.
What are the tuition fees at Beacon Academy Chicago?
Annual tuition at Beacon Academy Chicago ranges from USD 41,413 to USD 43,163 depending on year group. Fees are reviewed each year, so check the school's current fee schedule before applying.
