The Best Private Schools in Burlington, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Burlington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Limon Christian School
Independent Christian School
Limon Christian School is a top-rated private school located approximately 30 miles from Burlington, serving students from the Eastern Colorado region. It provides a rigorous academic program integrated with Christian values, offering classes from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school boasts experienced faculty, a low student-teacher ratio, and a focus on college preparedness. Facilities include science labs, a gym, and technology resources. Extracurricular activities span sports, music, drama, and clubs, fostering well-rounded development. Parent reviews highlight high satisfaction with academic outcomes and the supportive community atmosphere.
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St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Pueblo
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School is a highly-regarded private institution serving the Burlington area with a strong commitment to academic excellence and faith-based education. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum from preschool through 8th grade, emphasizing core subjects, religious studies, and character development. With small class sizes and dedicated teachers, students receive personalized attention. Facilities include modern classrooms, a library, computer lab, and gymnasium. The school is known for its safe, nurturing environment and active parent community, with extracurriculars like sports, music, and community service programs enhancing student development.
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Flagler Christian School
Association of Christian Schools International
Flagler Christian School, situated about 50 miles from Burlington, is a respected private school known for its strong academic foundation and faith-based learning environment. Serving students from preschool to 8th grade, the school emphasizes a balanced curriculum that includes core academics, biblical instruction, and enrichment in arts and technology. With dedicated teachers and modern facilities such as smart classrooms and a playground, the school promotes holistic development. It features a close-knit community with high parent involvement, and extracurriculars like sports and music programs contribute to its positive reputation for student engagement and achievement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Burlington, Colorado
What are the private school options for families in Burlington, Colorado, and how do their educational approaches differ?
In Burlington and the surrounding Kit Carson County area, the primary private school options are faith-based institutions. St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Burlington offers a traditional Catholic education with a standard academic curriculum infused with religious teachings. Nearby options include Limon Christian School (about 30 miles west) and Flagler Christian School (about 40 miles east), both providing Protestant Christian education frameworks. The choice often comes down to denominational preference and commute tolerance, as Burlington itself has limited secular private school options. These schools are typically K-8, meaning families must plan for high school, which may involve transitioning to Burlington Public Schools, a boarding school, or a longer commute.
How does tuition at Burlington-area private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid or payment structures are typically available?
Tuition at private schools in rural Eastern Colorado, like those serving Burlington, is generally below the state average for Colorado private schools due to lower regional operating costs. For the 2023-2024 school year, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School's tuition is approximately $3,000-$4,000 annually, with discounts for multiple children and active parishioners. Limon and Flagler Christian Schools have similar ranges. Financial aid is often need-based and funded through parish subsidies, scholarship funds, or direct church support. Unlike larger urban private schools, substantial endowment-based aid is rare. Many families utilize payment plans, and some schools participate in the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit for donations that fund scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Burlington, CO, private schools offer that leverage their rural setting?
Private schools in the Burlington area often integrate their rural agricultural and frontier heritage into their programs. This can include participation in local 4-H clubs, agricultural science projects, and a strong emphasis on community service within the small town. St. Charles Borromeo, for instance, may organize service projects supporting local farms or community centers. Academically, these schools benefit from very small class sizes (often 10-15 students), allowing for highly individualized instruction. While they may not offer the breadth of AP courses or specialized arts facilities found in Denver schools, they frequently provide robust foundational programs in STEM, music, and athletics through cooperative agreements sometimes with the public school district for sports.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Burlington, Colorado, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Burlington-area private schools usually begins in early spring (February-April) for the following fall. Given the small size of these schools (often one class per grade), spaces are limited, but waitlists are less common than in urban areas unless a specific grade is at capacity. The process typically involves submitting an application, providing academic records, a family interview, and often a pastoral reference for faith-based schools. A key consideration for Burlington parents is that these schools often give priority to siblings of current students and active members of the supporting church community. It's advisable to contact the school directly by January to express interest and understand their specific requirements.
For families considering the choice between Burlington public schools and local private schools, what are the key differentiating factors in this specific community?
In Burlington, the key differentiators are class size, religious education, and community environment. Burlington Public Schools (RE-6J) offer a comprehensive K-12 system with broader extracurricular and advanced course options at the high school level. The local private schools offer a consistently small, close-knit environment from kindergarten through 8th grade with daily religious instruction and values integration. For families seeking a specific faith-based education, the private schools are the clear choice. Academically, the public district may have more resources for special education and specialized electives. The decision often hinges on whether a family prioritizes the continuity of a small religious community through middle school or values the convenience and program breadth of the single public school pathway from kindergarten to graduation in their hometown.
Private Education Insights
Discover Burlington's Top Private Schools: A Parent's Guide to Educational Excellence
For families in Burlington, Colorado, the search for the best private schools involves a thoughtful consideration of values, community, and the unique educational landscape of the Eastern Plains. While Burlington itself is home to a cherished local option, the concept of the "best" fit often extends to neighboring communities, reflecting the close-knit, regional character of our area. Your journey isn't just about comparing test scores; it’s about finding an academic environment that aligns with your family’s principles and nurtures your child’s growth in a supportive setting.
Right here in Burlington, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School offers a foundational faith-based education for preschool through sixth grade. For many local families, it represents the cornerstone of private education, providing a structured, values-driven curriculum within a familiar community. Its strength lies in its deep local roots and the continuity it offers for young learners. When considering the best private schools, it’s essential to visit St. Charles Borromeo to feel the community atmosphere and understand how its integrated approach to faith and learning might serve your child.
However, the search for the best private schools in our region often includes looking at the excellent options in surrounding towns, which are a very manageable commute given our rural setting. Limon Christian School, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, is a significant draw for families seeking a comprehensive K-12 Christian education. Its larger grade range means siblings can often stay within the same educational family from elementary through high school graduation, a stability highly valued by many. Similarly, Flagler Christian School provides another strong, faith-centered alternative, emphasizing a close-knit environment and personalized attention. Exploring these schools means engaging with their distinct church affiliations and educational philosophies to see which community feels like the right extension of your home.
Choosing between these excellent options requires a local lens. Consider the daily commute along Highway 385 or I-70, not just in miles but in winter driving conditions. Think about where your child’s friendships and extracurricular networks will form. The best private schools for your family will be those where the mission resonates deeply with you, and where your child can thrive both academically and socially. We encourage you to schedule tours, ask pointed questions about curriculum and teacher retention, and observe classroom interactions. In small schools like these, the culture is palpable.
Ultimately, the best private schools in the Burlington area are those that partner with you to build a strong moral and academic foundation. They are institutions that understand the values of rural Colorado—community, integrity, and hard work—and weave them into the fabric of daily learning. Whether you choose the local presence of St. Charles Borromeo or the expanded programs in Limon or Flagler, you are investing in a personalized education that sees your child as an individual. Your diligence in visiting and asking questions is the most important step in finding a school where your child will not just learn, but truly belong.