[September 30, 2025] -- St. Laurence High School is proud to announce that it has once again been recognized as a Best School by Niche, the leading platform connecting families with schools and colleges. In the 2026 rankings, St. Laurence earned the #10 spot on Niche’s list of the Best Catholic High Schools in Illinois—the highest-ranked school in Chicago’s Southland for the third consecutive year. St. Laurence also remains the Southland’s only Catholic high school to appear in the state’s top ten.
“We are proud to once again be recognized among the very best Catholic high schools in Illinois,” said St. Laurence President Joseph Martinez ’99. “To be the only Southland school ranked in the top ten for three consecutive years is a testament to the strength of our academic programs, the dedication of our faculty, and the commitment of our families. This recognition affirms what we see every day—that St. Laurence provides an exceptional education that prepares students to thrive in college, career, and life.”
This distinction follows another year of achievement and growth at St. Laurence. The Class of 2025 included a National Merit Commended Student—the school’s fourth in five years—and four graduates who earned the prestigious Chick Evans Scholarship. The recent success has been a driver for enrollment, as the school began the 2025-26 school year with more than 1170 students—30% growth over the past five years.
St. Laurence continues to set the standard in academic excellence. Graduates currently attend five of the nation’s top 25-ranked universities, including the University of Chicago (#6), Duke (#7), Notre Dame (T-#20), Michigan (T-#20), and Georgetown (T-#24). It is also the only Southland Catholic high school to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, recognized globally as the most rigorous high school curriculum, alongside an extensive array of Advanced Placement and dual credit options. In addition, St. Laurence provides immersive Career Pathway Programs in fields such as medicine, engineering, aviation, and aquatic science, giving students real-world experiences that prepare them for success beyond the classroom.
The Vikings also excel athletically, enjoying one of the most successful stretches in school history. Since 2023, five programs have earned top-four finishes in Illinois—including the 2025 State Champion baseball team, as well as softball, boys track and field, football, and boys soccer. More than 50 members of the Class of 2025 committed to compete in college athletics, with 31 advancing to the Division I level over the past five years.
Niche rankings are based on both quantitative data and community feedback, drawing from the U.S. Department of Education as well as ratings submitted by current students, alumni, and parents. Unlike traditional rankings that focus primarily on test scores, Niche also evaluates factors such as faculty, resources, extracurricular opportunities, and the overall student experience.
St. Laurence invites prospective families to experience the school firsthand through upcoming admissions events this fall, including Open Houses, Personal Tour Nights, and Shadow Days. For dates and registration details, visit www.stlaurence.com/admissions