The Best Private Schools in Austin, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Austin. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Montrose Christian School
Independent Christian School
Montrose Christian School serves families throughout Western Colorado, including the Austin area, with a comprehensive Christian education program. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and a strong college preparatory curriculum. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, technology centers, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, offering robust extracurricular programs in athletics, music, and community service.
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St. Mary Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Pueblo
Serving families across Montrose County and surrounding areas including Austin, St. Mary Catholic School provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations. The school features experienced teachers, individualized learning approaches, and comprehensive curriculum aligned with state standards. Facilities include dedicated preschool classrooms, technology-integrated learning spaces, and a school chapel. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and supportive environment that nurtures students' spiritual and academic growth.
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Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J - Alternative Programs
Gunnison Watershed School District
While part of the public school district, Gunnison Watershed's alternative programs serve as a private school alternative for families in the region, including Austin area students seeking specialized educational approaches. The program offers personalized learning plans, small class sizes, and flexible scheduling options. The curriculum includes college preparatory courses, career technical education pathways, and hands-on learning opportunities. The program serves students who benefit from non-traditional educational settings and has strong track records of student success and parent satisfaction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Austin, Colorado
What are the primary private school options available for families in Austin, Colorado, and what are their educational approaches?
Austin, Colorado, is a small, unincorporated community, so private school options within its immediate vicinity are limited and often involve commuting to nearby towns. The notable institutions you'll find in the surrounding region include Montrose Christian School in Montrose (a biblically-integrated, college-preparatory school), St. Mary Catholic School in Montrose (offering a faith-based K-8 education), and Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J - Alternative Programs, which are public charter options, not private. For true private education, families in Austin typically look toward Montrose or Gunnison. This means considering commute times along US-50, which is a significant local factor for Austin residents.
How does tuition for private schools in the Austin, Colorado, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for private schools serving the Austin area, such as those in Montrose, is generally below the front-range urban average but must be evaluated in the context of local rural incomes. For example, Montrose Christian School's tuition ranges significantly by grade. Financial aid is often mission-based and may come from church subsidies or limited scholarship funds. Critically, Colorado has the "Choice Scholarship Program" (voucher program) for students with disabilities or from low-income families, which can be used at participating private schools. However, availability at specific schools varies, and transportation from Austin is not typically provided, adding an indirect cost.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Austin, CO, offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the region, reflecting the Western Colorado lifestyle, often integrate the local environment into their programs. Montrose Christian School and others may emphasize outdoor education, environmental science, and agricultural studies, taking advantage of proximity to the Gunnison River, Uncompahgre National Forest, and Curecanti National Recreation Area. Extracurriculars often include robust outdoor clubs, skiing/snowboarding, and rodeo or FFA chapters, which are less common in urban private schools. This focus on place-based learning is a key differentiator for families in Austin who value a connection to the rural and mountainous landscape.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Austin, Colorado, given the rural setting?
Due to smaller class sizes and the rural nature of the region, the enrollment process for private schools near Austin requires early and proactive planning. Most schools have rolling admissions but prioritize applications received by early spring for the following fall. The process almost always includes a family interview, which for Austin residents may be conducted virtually or require a planned trip to Montrose or Gunnison. A key local consideration is providing proof of residency in a remote area and discussing transportation plans during the application, as bus service from Austin is typically not available.
For a family in Austin, what are the main practical considerations when choosing between a local public school (like Gunnison Watershed RE-1J) and a private school in Montrose?
The decision hinges on several Austin-specific factors. The public option, Gunnison Watershed RE-1J, provides a no-tuition education and likely includes bus transportation within the district. Private schools offer specific religious or pedagogical approaches but require a daily commute of 30-60 minutes each way to Montrose, which can be challenging in winter weather on US-50. Families must weigh the value of a specialized education against the significant time and transportation costs. Additionally, the tight-knit, community feel of a small private school may contrast with the broader, resource-sharing model of the rural public district, which also offers alternative and charter programs.
Private Education Insights
Find the Best Private Kindergarten in Austin, Colorado: A Parent's Guide
If you’re a parent in Austin, Colorado, typing “private kindergarten near me” into a search engine, you’re likely seeking more than just a location. You’re looking for an educational foundation that aligns with your family’s values and the unique character of our tight-knit, mountain community. The quest for the right private kindergarten here in Austin is deeply personal, shaped by our rural setting, our emphasis on community, and the desire for a nurturing environment that fosters both academic and personal growth from the very start. While Austin itself is small, the surrounding Gunnison Valley offers several distinctive private and alternative options that many local families consider.
Understanding the local landscape is key. Montrose Christian School, while a drive from Austin, represents a faith-based option that some families in the area choose for its structured, values-integrated curriculum. For a private kindergarten experience rooted in a long-standing tradition, St. Mary Catholic School in Montrose offers another faith-based path, emphasizing community service and moral development alongside early literacy and numeracy. It’s important to factor in the commute from Austin to Montrose, but for many, the consistent educational philosophy is worth the journey. Closer to home, the Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J - Alternative Programs present a compelling option. These are public district programs but often function with the individualized attention and specialized approaches—like Montessori or expeditionary learning models—that parents seek in a private setting. Exploring these alternative programs can be a brilliant solution, offering innovative pedagogy without a private school tuition, though enrollment may have specific criteria.
When evaluating a private kindergarten near you in the Austin area, consider what “near” means in our Colorado context. It often involves scenic drives through the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Therefore, the daily routine and logistics are as important as the curriculum. Ask about the school’s community feel and how it helps children from smaller towns connect. Inquire about how the natural environment is incorporated into learning; the best programs here will utilize our incredible backyard for outdoor education and science exploration. Look for a kindergarten that doesn’t just teach letters and numbers but also cultivates resilience, curiosity, and respect for the world around them—values that resonate deeply in our mountain town life.
Ultimately, your search for a private kindergarten near Austin, CO, is about finding a partner in your child’s early development. It’s advisable to schedule visits, if possible, to feel the environment firsthand. Talk to other parents in the Austin and Gunnison County area about their experiences. The right fit will be a place where your child feels safe and inspired, and where you feel confident that their first formal educational experience is building a sturdy, joyful foundation for all the learning to come. The investment you make now in finding the perfect match will pave the way for a lifelong love of discovery, rooted in the unique spirit of our Colorado community.