Roycemore School is an independent, nonsectarian, co-educational college preparatory school located in Evanston, Illinois serving students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 12. The school's current enrollment is approximately 215 students. The school's old building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2019, for the state of Illinois, Niche ranked Roycemore School as the fourth most diverse private high school, the ninth-best private high school, and the fifth-best private K–12 school. The school currently has a six-to-one student-to-teacher ratio. Roycemore also offers the NU Option program, in which its high school students can take courses at Northwestern University and earn credit, making it the only Independent school to have such a partnership with Northwestern.
History
Roycemore School was founded in 1915 as a co-ed school, but boys could only go up to 3rd grade. It became fully co-ed in 1962. Its original location was in north Evanston, Illinois, near Northwestern University. The former Roycemore School building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form identifies the two architecture firms that were involved in the design and realization of Roycemore’s original school buildings. It says that architect Lawrence Buck designed the buildings, with the firm of Talmadge & Watson involved as associated architects. Thomas Eddy Tallmadge is identified as the lead representative for his firm. In discussing the style and importance of the buildings in Section 8 of the form, the NRHP nomination says; “Roycemore School is of considerable architectural significance because it is one of only two examples known to exist in the Midwest of an educational building designed according to the principles evolved by such famous early modern architects in England as Charles Voysey and M. H. Baillie Scott. As such it eschews the accoutrements of the historic styles and emphasizes instead the stern virtues of simplicity of form and honesty of expression that gave sustenance to the English progressive movement from Pugin through Eastlake to Morris and Voysey....”
Relocation
As its property lease with Northwestern University for the lot at Lincoln St. and Orrington Ave. was due to end in 2014, in early 2000 the school began looking for another Evanston location that would allow room to continue a trend of enrollment growth that had occurred over the previous 10 years, with updated technology and to accommodate a larger, regulation-sized gymnasium. Roycemore began classes at 1200 Davis Street in Evanston on January 6, 2012. The 3-acre lot, adjacent to Evanston's Alexander Park, was the location of a 55,000-square-foot building that was once the headquarters of the General Board of Pension Funds for the United Methodist Church. Roycemore completely renovated the building and added a nearly 8,000-square-foot gymnasium.
Athletics and Extracurriculars
The school has no-cut athletic teams starting in the fifth grade, including basketball, soccer, cross country and volleyball. Roycemore's mascot is the Griffin and the school colors are blue and gold. Each year, Roycemore School holds its annual Palio, which is the school's oldest tradition. Palio was modeled after the pageant that proceeds the Palio di Siena in Italy. Students from grades 1–12 display the progress they have made in physical education classes during the year. The emphasis is on rhythmics, dance, gymnastics, and sports skills. Roycemore's Palio has a colorful procession, where each new Kindergarten class is handed down a banner with the coat of arms from the graduating Senior class that the younger students will carry until graduation in twelfth grade. Another longstanding tradition at Roycemore is their tumbling program. Starting in third grade, students can be found participating in mounts, lifting other students, or flying through the air as part of their performance. The program culminates in three annual all-school performances, including Palio, for fellow students, parents and alumni.
