For the second year in a row, Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St., has been voted the Number One Private School in the Southland by Chicago Tribune readers.
The back-to-back honor reflects a community committed to thinking beyond, pushing boundaries, and preparing students in mind, body, and spirit.
“To be voted the Number One Private School in the Southland for the second consecutive year is an incredible honor and a reflection of the people who make Marist so special,” President Larry Tucker ’79 said. “Our students, alumni, faculty, and staff are the heart of our community. Together, they bring our mission to life, build lifelong connections, and create a lasting impact far beyond our campus.”
Students from 85 ZIP codes and 210 places of worship create a diverse and dynamic learning community where each RedHawk follows an individualized path. With 64% of students receiving financial assistance, Marist remains committed to making its transformative educational experience accessible to families throughout the region.
Marist offers 23 Advanced Placement courses and 15 dual-credit courses through Saint Xavier University, Benedictine University, and Loyola University Chicago. Forty-five percent of sophomores, juniors and seniors take at least one AP course, and 436 students earned scores of 3 or higher on their 2026 AP exams. A total of 187 students earned AP Scholar recognition, including 84 AP Scholars, 37 AP Scholars with Honor and 66 AP Scholars with Distinction.
There’s no wonder why Marist is also recognized by the College Board as an AP School Honor Roll Gold recipient.
Students continue to challenge themselves throughout high school, with 97% enrolling in a fourth year of mathematics and 55% continuing into a fourth year of world language. Marist also participates in the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy program. For 10 consecutive years, the Marist Math Team has placed first among Catholic high schools in Illinois.
The Class of 2026 includes four National Merit Commended Students, 59 Illinois State Scholars, two Chick Evans Scholars and two Posse Scholarship recipients. Ninety-nine percent of graduates will continue their education, while eight members of the class will serve in the United States Armed Forces, the largest military commitment in school history. The medical field remains the most popular declared area of study among graduates.
Learning extends far beyond the classroom. Students completed more than 1,700 hours of service and participated in 40 active clubs and organizations.
Marist offers 17 fine arts courses, providing students with opportunities to explore their creativity through visual and performing arts. This year, Marist students earned two Silver Keys and an Honorable Mention in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, while the Marist Theatre Guild presented sold-out performances of Little Women and 42nd Street.
Marist’s athletic tradition includes 30 programs and championship success across multiple sports. Recent accomplishments include the 2026 IHSA Class 4A Boys Basketball state title, a 2026 individual Boys Wrestling state championship, and 2025 state championships in Girls Volleyball, Boys Volleyball, and Cheerleading. Thirty-seven members of the Class of 2026 committed to compete in college, joining more than 200 RedHawks currently participating in collegiate athletics. Three former Marist athletes were also selected in the NFL Draft.
Marist’s unmatched 55-plus-acre campus supports the complete student experience. Its distinctive facilities include a planetarium designed by the same architect as Chicago’s Adler Planetarium as well as the 75,000-square-foot Larry Tucker Marist SportsPlex Training and Learning Center. Students also have access to science and broadcasting studios, an art and design lab, three gymnasiums, a fitness center, the RedHawk Theater, chapel, newly renovated cafeteria and library, and a dedicated College and Career Center. Marist has also announced a major athletic facilities project that will bring new turf baseball and softball fields to campus in time for the spring 2027 seasons.
At Marist, students are known, challenged and inspired to think beyond, push boundaries and lead with faith, confidence and purpose.
