Woodlands Academy Achieves Top Midwest Status among Catholic, All-Girls High Schools

When it comes to a faith-based education for young women, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is the best in just about all of the Midwest according to 2017 rankings by Niche, an independent research company. The Lake Forest school, again named the #1 best Catholic high school in Illinois, is also ranked the #9 best Catholic high school in America (highest in the Midwest but for one school in St. Louis, Mo.) and the #21 best all-girls high school in America (highest in the Midwest).

Niche, a website for researching K-12 schools, scored Woodlands Academy highly on a variety of factors. These include SAT/ACT scores, student-teacher ratios, the quality of colleges students consider, and reviews from students and parents.

"I am proud to be in the company of fellow Sacred Heart schools in these national rankings," said Woodlands Academy Head of School Meg Steele. "Our membership in this global network of schools is an integral part of who we are and how we deliver on our promise to empower girls to change the world."

Six Sacred Heart schools make 2017's top-25 Best Catholic High Schools in America and the top-25 Best All-girls High Schools in America include three schools in the network.

Woodlands Academy is an independent, Catholic day and boarding, college-preparatory school for young women of all faiths grades nine through 12. Founded in 1858, its identity is rooted in a desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. Woodlands is part of the Sacred Heart network of 24 schools in the U.S. and Canada and more than 125 schools in countries throughout the world.

Statistical data used in the 2017 rankings was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education and then analyzed by Niche. For the complete 2017 rankings, methodologies and data sources, visit https://k12.niche.com/rankings

Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It's part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy's identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat's desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org