A lot of back-to-school attention goes to the public schools in Kane County, which house the majority of students.

But among Kane County’s sparklers are its private schools, particularly its high schools, nine of which made the Niche ranking of Top 100 Private High Schools in the Chicago Area.

Niche’s “Best Private High Schools” ranks 3,880 high schools based on key student statistics and more than 120,000 opinions from 16,000 students and parents. A high ranking indicates that the school is an exceptional academic institution with a diverse set of high-achieving students who rate their experience very highly. You can read more about the methodology here.

Kane County’s top-ranked school was Elgin Academy, which was 12th in the Chicago metro area.

Elgin Academy is the oldest coeducational, non-sectarian, college-preparatory school west of the Allegheny Mountains, according to its website. It has been from its founding an independent school dedicated to educational excellence through a college-preparatory liberal arts curriculum, character development, and a true spirit of community. The school’s focus on academic achievement is supported by a selective admission process that identifies able students of social, economic, and ethnic diversity who have the commitment to pursue their learning with enthusiasm within and beyond the classroom.

Also in the top 25 was Marmion Academy in Aurora, a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development, according to marmion.org. The school is conducted by the Benedictine Monks of Marmion Abbey.

The top Kane County private high schools and their ranking are as follows:

12 — Elgin Academy Elgin, IL

25 — Marmion Academy Aurora, IL

47 — Rosary High School Aurora, IL

50 — St. Edward Central Catholic High School Elgin, IL

52 — Mooseheart Child City & School Mooseheart, IL

62 — Westminster Christian School Elgin, IL

76 — Aurora Christian Schools Aurora, IL

80 — Harvest Christian Academy Elgin, IL

93 — Aurora Central Catholic High School Aurora, IL

SOURCE: k12.Niche.com