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British International School of Chicago - South Loop

United States, Chicago

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $19,415 - 47,745
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 800
Type Co-educational
Opened 2001
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Taught languages French, German, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

The British International School of Chicago, South Loop serves students aged 3 to 18 as a private K–12 institution aligned with the English National Curriculum. In the Primary Years, the school combines the English National Curriculum with the International Primary Curriculum, while the Middle and High Schools offer IGCSE examinations and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The campus features a 9,000-square-foot gymnasium and a technology-enhanced learning environment underpinned by metacognition and a Virtual School Experience that supports transitions between classroom and remote learning. Expeditions and global collaborations extend learning beyond the classroom, including trips and partnerships through Nord Anglia Education, UNICEF, and the United Nations SDGs. Signature programs include Juilliard–Nord Anglia collaborations in performing arts and the Global Campus network for cross‑school collaboration. Distinctive opportunities also include a Share A Dream volunteering initiative and international fieldwork such as projects in Tanzania and Switzerland. The school emphasizes citizenship alongside academic study.

161 W 9th St, Chicago, IL 60605, United States

The Essentials

British International School of Chicago - South Loop has 800 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
161 W 9th St, Chicago, IL 60605, United States. The school is in Chicago, Illinois.

Stages
Early Years (ages 3–5); Primary (ages 5–11, Years 1–6); Middle School (ages 11–14, Years 7–9); High School (ages 14–18, Years 10–13).

Type
Private K-12 school. It offers education for ages 3–18.

Pupil Nationality Mix
40+ nationalities represented.

Country affiliation
England (curriculum aligned with the English National Curriculum).

School day structure
Admission hours: School days 8am–5pm; Non-school days 9am–4pm.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
Part of the Nord Anglia Education family.
Fees

Annual tuition at British International School of Chicago - South Loop ranges from USD 19,415 to USD 47,745 for 2026/27.

TUITION FEES (2026–27 academic year)

- Nursery (part-time): USD 19,170 per year.
- Nursery (full-time): USD 31,950 per year.
- Reception: USD 34,700 per year.
- Years 1–6: USD 39,950 per year.
- Years 7–10: USD 43,425 per year.
- Year 11: USD 43,750 per year.
- Years 12–13: USD 45,750 per year.
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Per-term amounts (three-term academic year)

- The school operates on a three-term (Autumn / Spring / Summer) academic calendar; per-term figures below are calculated as the annual tuition divided by three (equal-term division).
- Nursery (part-time) per term: USD 6,390.
- Nursery (full-time) per term: USD 10,650.
- Reception per term: USD 11,567.
- Years 1–6 per term: USD 13,317.
- Years 7–10 per term: USD 14,475.
- Year 11 per term: USD 14,583.
- Years 12–13 per term: USD 15,250.
- These per-term figures are calculations based on the annual tuition and the school's three-term calendar.

Annual and recurring additional fees

- Trip fee (all years): USD 180 billed each school year.
- Yearbook: USD 65 billed each school year.
- Full-time Nursery to Year 9 lunches: USD 2,000 billed each school year.
- Year 11 exam costs (annual): USD 1,750.
- Year 13 exam costs (annual): USD 1,750.
- The items above are billed on an annual basis in addition to tuition.

Application, enrollment and new-student fees

- Application fee (non-refundable): USD 100.
- New Student Fee (one-time, non-refundable): USD 2,300 (applied to capital and curriculum investments).
- The New Student Fee is due with the signed enrollment agreement.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition and the listed annual fees are presented as amounts for the academic year; the school's calendar runs across three terms (Autumn, Spring, Summer).
- New-student fees are due at the time the enrollment agreement is signed.
- Specific invoice due dates, available installment options, and any late-payment penalties are set in the school's enrollment agreement and terms and conditions; invoices and billing align with the academic-year structure.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable for this campus; no boarding fees are listed for the South Loop location.

Other costs and periodic purchases

- Uniforms: available from Tommy Hilfiger and Lands' End (items purchased separately).
- PE kit: ordered via the school's online ordering portal.
- Optional charges that families commonly pay include before- or after-school care, extracurricular clubs, camps, some class trips, and certain exam or assessment fees beyond those listed above.

Refund information

- The Application Fee and the New Student Fee are non-refundable.
- The school's standard terms and conditions provide that refunds (where applicable) are processed by bank transfer and that a school will not refund any portion of a tuition term once that term has commenced.
- Parents' contractual obligations for invoiced tuition, notice periods for withdrawal, and the precise refund calculation method (if any) are governed by the school's enrollment agreement and the school's terms and conditions.

Fee adjustments and discounts

- Northwestern University employee discount: 20% tuition discount for benefits-eligible Northwestern University employees.
- Sibling discounts: second child receives a 3.5% tuition discount; any additional children receive a 7% tuition discount.

Fee payment options and transaction fees

- Online payment portal is available for electronic payments (school payment portal).
- Accepted electronic payment methods and their processing fees:
- Credit card payments: assessed a service fee of 2.99%.
- Debit card payments: assessed a service fee of 0.99%.
- ACH (eCheck / bank transfer): no service fee.
- Payments made through the school's online portal are the primary electronic option; the school issues invoices and records payments via its billing system.

Contact for fee queries and payments

- Admissions: admissions@bischicagosl.org; telephone +1 (773) 998 2472.
- General inquiries: +1 (773) 599 2472.
- The school provides an online payment portal (for electronic payment methods and merchant fees).
Academics

British International School of Chicago - South Loop teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The school teaches the National Curriculum for England and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in the Primary years; Middle and High School offer IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.

Higher Education Progression
The school paves the way for students to enter prestigious universities worldwide.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Metacognition helps students understand how they learn best. Teachers guide reflection on thinking processes, helping students identify strengths and develop personalized approaches to learning. A focus on student reflection and collaboration ensures every student thrives. The school teaches creativity, collaboration, resilience, critical thinking, and compassion, so students work well with others and respond empathetically to peers.

Mental Wellbeing
Students develop resilience through growth mindset and self-regulation skills. Metacognition helps students reflect on challenges and use strategies to recover from setbacks. This supports mental wellbeing by fostering confidence, independence, and a proactive approach to learning.

Safeguarding
The school has safeguarding measures that are first class.
Parent Experience

Community
The school community consists of local and international students who benefit from a globally minded education and graduate with academic results, confidence, and life-skills to pursue their goals. Joining Nord Anglia connects students, parents, teachers, and alumni into a global family and provides opportunities to learn with people from diverse cultures. Global Campus enables collaboration with Nord Anglia schools worldwide and access to regional events, broadening students' perspectives. The school values parental involvement and keeps parents closely in touch with their child's learning and development.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The British International School of Chicago, South Loop uses a future-focused learning environment built around six key educational pillars and metacognition. The Primary curriculum blends the English National Curriculum with the International Primary Curriculum to support Year 1–6 progression and skill development. The school features a 9,000-square-foot gymnasium for fitness, teamwork, and school spirit. Learning spaces and technology enable a teacher-led, technology-enabled approach, including a Virtual School Experience for seamless transitions between classroom and remote learning.

Sports Facilities
The school includes a 9,000-square-foot gymnasium used for fitness activities and team-based learning. The gym is highlighted as a key facility for student wellbeing and school spirit.

Academic Facilities
Primary School integrates the English National Curriculum with the International Primary Curriculum to support Year 1–6 progression. The Early Years Foundation Stage is used in Early Years. The school offers the International Early Years Curriculum, IGCSEs, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Nord Anglia students consistently achieve strong results in international examinations. Expeditions and global collaborations extend learning beyond the classroom, and technology-enabled environments supported by Virtual School Experience enhance instruction.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Expeditions broaden students' perspectives, including learning experiences with Nord Anglia's global programs. Trips to Arusha, Tanzania, and activities at the Les Martinets center in Switzerland provide practical challenges and outdoor learning. The UNICEF partnership and involvement with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals promote global citizenship. The Share A Dream program offers local fundraising and volunteering opportunities. Global Campus connects Nord Anglia students for collaboration across schools.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school provides expeditions that broaden students' perspectives and expose them to diverse cultures, people, and ideas. The school takes students to Arusha, Tanzania, to work on practical tasks of building and maintaining school and village accommodations. The school also takes students to Les Martinets, Switzerland, for a week of mountaineering and outdoor activity in self-led teams to develop cooking and navigation skills.

Arts & Creative
The school benefits from Juilliard–Nord Anglia collaborations that support the performing arts program through teacher professional development and student opportunities. The school's teachers participate in annual development programs and take courses offered through collaborations with MIT and The Juilliard School. The Juilliard collaboration helps unlock students' potential in the performing arts and fosters creativity across the school.

Cultural & Language
The school connects Nord Anglia students around the world via Global Campus, enabling cross-cultural collaboration online. The school exposes students to cultures, people, and ideas through expeditions and global programs. The school's global network provides regional and local opportunities that broaden cultural understanding and international awareness.

Social & Hobbies
The school emphasizes social and recreational learning through experiences that build confidence, teamwork, and resilience. The school's students support hundreds of local causes every year through UNICEF partnerships and engagement with the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The school fosters volunteering and fundraising through the Share A Dream program, enabling students to act on issues they care about.

Community & Service
The school's social purpose includes UNICEF partnerships that open students' eyes to the world around them and encourage a sense of global responsibility. Students participate in programs that support hundreds of local causes through UNICEF and the UN SDGs. The school encourages students to deliver meaningful change through local outreach activities.

Leadership & Professional
The school's expeditions and collaborative work help students develop leadership capabilities, self-reliance, and teamwork. The school's global experiences foster leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Through these experiences, students are prepared to make a positive impact in the world.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school promotes wellbeing through outdoor activities, including mountaineering and self-led teams, which build fitness and resilience. Expeditions and outdoor programs encourage personal growth, self-reliance, and social-emotional learning. The school's approach integrates physical activity with character development to support students' overall wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught vary by level. In Primary (Year 1 to Year 6, Kindergarten to Grade 5) and Early Years, Spanish and French are taught. In Middle School and High School, Spanish, French, German and Mandarin are taught.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions are personalized to families. The process includes contacting us to start your child's journey, joining a school tour or virtual discovery meeting, submitting an application, and financial aid is available.
School Events
The school has not added events
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