The Best Private Schools in Calvert, Alabama
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Calvert. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
Catholic Diocese of Mobile
As the oldest Catholic high school in Mobile, McGill-Toolen offers a comprehensive college preparatory education with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character formation. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. With a 100% college acceptance rate, the school provides rigorous Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletic programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school serves students from across Southwest Alabama, including Washington County.
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St. Luke's Episcopal School
Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
St. Luke's Episcopal School provides a challenging academic environment grounded in Episcopal tradition, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. The school emphasizes holistic education with strong STEAM programs, competitive athletics, and community service requirements. Facilities include modern classrooms, science and technology labs, art studios, and athletic fields. The school draws students from throughout Southwest Alabama and maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, ensuring personalized attention.
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Jackson Academy
Independent
Jackson Academy is a respected independent school serving students from Clarke County and surrounding areas, including Washington County. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with dual enrollment opportunities through local colleges. Academic programs are complemented by strong fine arts offerings and competitive athletic teams. The campus features modern facilities including technology-enhanced classrooms, science labs, and athletic complexes. The school maintains a family-like atmosphere while providing rigorous academic preparation for college success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Calvert, Alabama
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Calvert, Alabama?
While Calvert itself is a small town, families in the area have access to several well-regarded private schools in the broader region. Notable options include McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile (approximately 45 minutes away), which serves grades 9-12, and St. Luke's Episcopal School in Mobile, offering a Pre-K through 9th grade program. Closer to Calvert in Jackson, Alabama (about 30 minutes away), Jackson Academy provides a Pre-K through 12th grade education. For Calvert residents, these schools often involve commuting, but they represent the primary independent and faith-based alternatives to the local public school system in Washington County.
How does tuition at private schools serving Calvert, AL, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Alabama?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Jackson Academy's tuition ranges from approximately $5,000 for lower grades to over $8,000 for high school. Schools in Mobile like McGill-Toolen and St. Luke's typically have higher tuition, often ranging from $10,000 to $14,000 annually. Importantly, Alabama offers the Alabama Accountability Act, which provides tax-credit scholarships for eligible students attending failing public schools to transfer to private schools. Additionally, most private schools have their own need-based financial aid programs, and some participate in statewide scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) funded by tax credits. It's essential to inquire directly with each school about their specific aid packages and application processes.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Calvert, AL, region offer that might not be available locally?
Private schools accessible to Calvert families often provide specialized programs that leverage their larger resources or specific missions. McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, for instance, offers a robust Advanced Placement (AP) program, extensive fine arts, and competitive athletic leagues in the Mobile area. St. Luke's Episcopal School emphasizes a holistic, character-based education with strong arts integration. Jackson Academy, being the closest option, provides a more intimate setting with a focus on college preparatory courses and agricultural science—a relevant program given the rural nature of Washington County. These schools can offer more diverse electives, smaller class sizes, and distinct faith-based curricula compared to the very small local public schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving students from Calvert, Alabama?
The enrollment process for these schools generally begins in the winter or early spring for the following fall semester. Critical steps include: 1) **Open Houses/Visits (Jan-Feb):** Attending events, which may require a drive to Mobile or Jackson. 2) **Application Deadline (Often March-April):** Submitting applications with fees, student records, and teacher recommendations. 3) **Entrance Testing/Assessments:** Most schools require a standardized entrance exam (like the HSPT for McGill-Toolen) or a grade-level assessment. 4) **Financial Aid Applications:** These often run concurrently with admission applications. 5) **Admission Decisions (March-April):** Notifications are sent out. Given the commuting distance from Calvert, it's crucial to apply early and also inquire about transportation options, as most schools do not provide bus service from Washington County.
For a family in Calvert, what are the key factors in choosing between the local public schools and a private school option further away?
This decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Local Public Schools (Washington County):** Offer extreme proximity, no tuition, and a strong community feel but may have limited advanced coursework, extracurricular variety, and resources due to the small, rural district size. **Private Schools (Mobile/Jackson):** Offer broader academic programs (AP, specialized tracks), different religious or philosophical environments, and often newer facilities, but require a significant daily commute (30-60 minutes each way) and a substantial financial investment. Parents must weigh the value of specific academic or faith-based offerings against the practicalities of transportation, cost, and family time. For high school students, the social and athletic opportunities in a larger private school may be a major draw, despite the distance from Calvert.