The Best Private Schools in Big Lake, Alaska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Big Lake. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mat-Su Day School
Independent
Mat-Su Day School is a highly-regarded independent private school serving the Mat-Su Valley region including Big Lake. Founded in 1999, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The school emphasizes STEM education, critical thinking, and character development. Their outdoor education program takes advantage of Alaska's natural environment, while their Advanced Placement courses prepare students for college success. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and features modern facilities with dedicated science labs, technology integration, and comprehensive arts programs.
Programs:
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Anchorage
Sacred Heart Catholic School has been serving the Mat-Su Valley community since 1984, providing faith-based education to students from Big Lake and surrounding areas. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program with a strong academic foundation integrated with Catholic values. Their STEAM curriculum incorporates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics with dedicated lab spaces and technology integration. The school features modern classrooms, a gymnasium, music room, and offers various extracurricular activities including sports teams, choir, and community service programs.
Programs:
Wasilla Christian School
Independent Christian School
Wasilla Christian School has been providing quality Christian education to the Mat-Su Valley since 1989, serving families from Big Lake and surrounding communities. The school offers a comprehensive K-12 program with a college preparatory curriculum rooted in biblical principles. Academic excellence is emphasized through small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a supportive learning environment. The school features modern facilities including science labs, computer labs, a gymnasium, and music rooms. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports teams, fine arts programs, mission trips, and various clubs that develop well-rounded students prepared for college and life.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Big Lake, Alaska
What are the practical commuting options for private schools near Big Lake, Alaska, given the area's geography and weather?
Big Lake is a lakeside community within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and most private school options are located in nearby Wasilla or Palmer. For instance, Mat-Su Day School and Wasilla Christian School are in Wasilla, about a 15-25 minute drive depending on your exact location in Big Lake. Sacred Heart Catholic School is in Palmer, roughly a 30-40 minute drive. Alaska winters require serious consideration; a reliable vehicle, winter tires, and planning for shorter daylight hours and potential road conditions are essential. Some families form carpools with neighbors. There are no public or private school bus services specifically for Big Lake residents to these private schools, so daily transportation is the family's responsibility.
How does the tuition at private schools in the Big Lake, Alaska area compare, and are there any state-specific financial aid opportunities?
Tuition in the Mat-Su Valley varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, approximate K-8 tuition ranges are: Sacred Heart Catholic School (~$6,000-$7,000), Wasilla Christian School (~$6,500-$7,500), and Mat-Su Day School (typically higher, around $10,000+). It's critical to contact each school for exact figures. A key Alaska-specific opportunity is the Alaska ACE (Alaska Career and Education) Grant, a state-funded program that provides needs-based scholarships for students to attend private schools. Additionally, some schools offer local parish discounts (for Catholic schools) or multi-child discounts. Given the higher cost of living, schools often have active fundraising and may offer flexible payment plans.
What unique outdoor or experiential learning programs do private schools near Big Lake offer that leverage the Alaska environment?
Schools in the Mat-Su Valley often integrate Alaska's unique landscape into their curricula. Mat-Su Day School emphasizes experiential learning, potentially including local ecology studies, cross-country skiing, or field trips to the Musk Ox Farm or the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Wasilla Christian School may incorporate outdoor education through its physical education and science programs, focusing on local flora and fauna. The proximity to Big Lake itself, the Chugach Mountains, and countless trails allows schools to offer outdoor activities that are not feasible in urban settings. These programs aim to build resilience, practical science knowledge, and a deep appreciation for the state's natural resources.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Big Lake families, and how competitive is admission?
The enrollment process for schools like Mat-Su Day School, Sacred Heart, and Wasilla Christian School often begins in January or February for the following fall. Most have open houses in the winter. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and sometimes a student assessment. While not as intensely competitive as large urban private schools, spots in certain grades, especially kindergarten and early elementary, can be limited due to small class sizes. Sibling and parish member (for Catholic schools) applicants often receive priority. It is highly advisable for Big Lake families to initiate inquiries a full year in advance to secure a place and complete any required shadow days or meetings.
For a family in Big Lake, what are the key philosophical differences between the local public school (Big Lake Elementary) and the available private school options?
The key differences center on class size, curriculum, and educational philosophy. Big Lake Elementary, part of the Mat-Su Borough School District, offers a standard public education with larger class sizes and a curriculum dictated by state standards. The private options provide specific alternative approaches: Mat-Su Day School focuses on progressive, project-based experiential learning; Sacred Heart Catholic School provides a faith-based education infused with Catholic values and sacramental preparation; and Wasilla Christian School offers a Protestant Christian education integrating biblical principles across all subjects. Academically, private schools often have more flexibility to accelerate or tailor instruction. The choice for Big Lake families often comes down to seeking a specific religious foundation, a particular pedagogical style, or a smaller, more close-knit community environment versus the local neighborhood public school.