Nico's Playhouse is a co–ed early childhood program located in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, serving kindergarten students in a nonsectarian, city setting.
Founded in 1905, the school enrolls 85 students with a student–teacher ratio of 28:1 supported by 3 teachers.
The yearly tuition is $25,000, above the Chicago average for elementary private schools, reflecting its early childhood and daycare program focus.
The student population consists of 100% students of color, positioning Nico's Playhouse among the most diverse private schools in Illinois.
The school offers 15 AP courses and ranks in the top 20% statewide for diversity, AP course availability, historic founding, and school resources.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
- Grades: Kindergarten
- Enrollment: 85 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Nico's Playhouse ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten
Student Body
Total Students
85 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
100%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
3 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
National avg.:
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for Nico's Playhouse?
The application deadline for Nico's Playhouse is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Nico's Playhouse located?
Nico's Playhouse is located in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 6 other private schools located in Beverly.
Nearby ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Schools
The nearest high school to Nico's Playhouse is Ucan Academy-south (1.0 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Beverly Hills Sda School (0.4 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Christ the King School (0.4 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Beverly Hills Sda School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
9356 S Justine St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 779-5158
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 779-5158
0.4 miles
Gr: 1-7 | 14 students
Christ the King School
(Catholic)
9240 S Hoyne Ave
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 779-3329
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 779-3329
0.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 428 students Sports: 7
All Day Montessori
Montessori School
1819 W 99th St
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-6356
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-6356
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-K | 103 students Tuition listed
Beverly Montessori School
Montessori School
9916 S Walden Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-7635
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-7635
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-K | 70 students
St. Barnabas Catholic School
(Catholic)
10121 S Longwood Drive
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-7711
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-7711
0.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 485 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Ucan Academy-south
Special Education School
1912 W 103rd St
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 881-1005
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 881-1005
1 miles
Gr: 2-12 | 70 students
Ada S. Mckinley-highland School
Special Education School
2647 E 88th Street
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 375-1999
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 375-1999
1.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 39 students
2153 W 111th St
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 881-6700
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 881-6700
2.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 475 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Leo Catholic High School ![Leo Catholic High School Photo - Leo Catholic High School Class in Session!]( "Leo Catholic High School Photo - Leo Catholic High School Class in Session!")
All-boys (Catholic)
7901 S Sangamon St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 224-9600
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 224-9600
2.3 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 207 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 15 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Rita Of Cascia High School
All-boys (Catholic)
7740 S Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 925-6600
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 925-6600
2.3 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 560 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Beverly Hills Sda School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
9356 S Justine St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 779-5158
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 779-5158
0.4 miles
Gr: 1-7 | 14 students
Christ the King School
(Catholic)
9240 S Hoyne Ave
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 779-3329
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 779-3329
0.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 428 students Sports: 7
St. Barnabas Catholic School
(Catholic)
10121 S Longwood Drive
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-7711
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-7711
0.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 485 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
9833 S Throop St
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 238-1088
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 238-1088
0.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 224 students Sports: 6 Tuition listed
St. Ethelreda Elementary School
(Catholic)
8734 S Paulina St
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 238-1757
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 238-1757
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 254 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Christ the King School
(Catholic)
9240 S Hoyne Ave
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 779-3329
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 779-3329
0.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 428 students Sports: 7
All Day Montessori
Montessori School
1819 W 99th St
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-6356
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-6356
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-K | 103 students Tuition listed
Beverly Montessori School
Montessori School
9916 S Walden Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-7635
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-7635
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-K | 70 students
St. Barnabas Catholic School
(Catholic)
10121 S Longwood Drive
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-7711
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-7711
0.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 485 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Beverly Castle Academy/early Education
Daycare / Preschool
10244 S Longwood Dr
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-2299
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 239-2299
0.9 miles
Gr: PK-K | 165 students
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1220 California Ave
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 723-0414
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 723-0414
9184.7 miles
Gr: K-5 | 263 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
(Math: 9% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1501 Copperfield Ave
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-5276
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-5276
9185.1 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 615 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
(Math: 4% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1451 Copperfield Ave
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 723-0228
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 723-0228
9185.1 miles
Gr: K-5 | 304 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
(Math: 32% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
710 N State St
Lockport, IL 60441
(815) 838-8031
Lockport, IL 60441
(815) 838-8031
9185.1 miles
Gr: 4-5 | 321 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
565 E 7th St
Lockport, IL 60441
(815) 838-0737
Lockport, IL 60441
(815) 838-0737
9185.1 miles
Gr: PK-3 | 233 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
School Reviews
Endorse Nico's Playhouse. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Ask Current Parents What Admissions Won't Answer
Learn how to ask current private school parents revealing questions about culture, academics, communication, costs, discipline, and community life before deciding whether a school truly fits your family well.
When School Anxiety Is Really a School Fit Problem
Learn when school anxiety may signal a poor school fit, how parents can identify academic or social mismatches, and when changing private schools deserves serious consideration for families today.
Will My Child Find Their People? Evaluating School Culture
Learn how to evaluate private school culture, student belonging, friendships, teacher relationships, social dynamics, and authentic community fit so your child can find the right place to thrive and connect.
