The Best Private Schools in Craig, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Craig. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Michael Catholic School
Diocese of Pueblo
St. Michael Catholic School is the only private school located directly in Craig, serving students from preschool through 8th grade. This well-established institution provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations. The school features small class sizes, individualized attention, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes religious education alongside core academic subjects. Facilities include modern classrooms, a library, and shared community spaces. Parents consistently praise the dedicated teachers, safe environment, and strong sense of community. The school maintains high academic standards while emphasizing character development and service learning.
Programs:
The Christian Heritage School
Independent Christian School
Located approximately 40 miles from Craig in Steamboat Springs, The Christian Heritage School serves families throughout Northwest Colorado with a comprehensive K-12 program. This accredited independent school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum grounded in Christian values. The school features excellent facilities including science labs, technology integration, art studios, and athletic programs. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, students receive personalized attention and strong academic preparation. The school has an excellent track record of college acceptance and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sports, music, and community service programs.
Programs:
St. Paul's School
Episcopal Diocese of Colorado
St. Paul's School in Steamboat Springs serves students from preschool through 5th grade and draws families from throughout the region, including Craig. This Episcopal school emphasizes academic excellence within a nurturing, inclusive environment. The curriculum balances strong foundational skills with project-based learning and outdoor education opportunities that leverage the natural surroundings. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated play areas, and specialized learning spaces. Parents consistently rate the school highly for its outstanding teachers, engaging curriculum, and strong community atmosphere. The school's location in Steamboat Springs makes it accessible to Craig families seeking high-quality private education options.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Craig, Colorado
What are the primary private school options available in Craig, Colorado, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Craig, Colorado, offers a small but distinct selection of private schools, each with a unique focus. The three main institutions are St. Michael Catholic School (PreK-8), which provides a faith-based education integrated with a classical curriculum; The Christian Heritage School (K-12), offering an interdenominational Christian education with a college-preparatory focus; and St. Paul's School (PreK-6), which is also a Christian-based school emphasizing a nurturing, family-like environment. Given the limited number of options, understanding these core philosophies is crucial for parents in Craig to find the best fit for their child's values and academic needs.
How does tuition at private schools in Craig, CO, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Craig's private schools is generally below the state average for Colorado, reflecting the local economic context. For the 2023-2024 school year, tuition ranges from approximately $4,000 to $7,000 annually, which is notably lower than urban private schools in Front Range cities. All three major schools offer financial aid, primarily through need-based scholarships and parish subsidies (for the Catholic school). Additionally, Colorado has state-sponsored programs like the Child Care Contribution Credit for donations to promote child care, which can indirectly support schools, and some families may utilize the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative for later grades. It's essential to inquire directly with each school about their specific aid packages and any local church sponsorship opportunities.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Craig offer that leverage the local environment or community?
Private schools in Craig often integrate the unique rural and mountain environment of Northwest Colorado into their programs. The Christian Heritage School, for example, may emphasize outdoor education and stewardship, potentially incorporating local geology, ecology, or agriculture into science curricula. St. Michael Catholic School emphasizes community service projects tailored to Craig's specific needs. Given Craig's proximity to world-class hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation, schools often support and accommodate families involved in these industries, offering flexible schedules for seasonal activities. However, due to their smaller size, specialized extracurriculars like robotics or extensive arts programs may be more limited than in larger districts, often relying on community partnerships.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Craig, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Craig's private schools usually begins in January or February for the following fall, with priority often given to current families and siblings. Given the small size of these institutions (each often serving under 150 students total), spaces, particularly in specific grade levels, can be very limited. It is common for grades to have waitlists, especially in the early elementary years. The process typically involves an application, family interview, and assessment for the child. Parents are strongly advised to initiate contact with schools by early winter. Unlike in larger cities, personal connections within the close-knit Craig community can sometimes play a role in the process, so demonstrating genuine commitment to the school's community is important.
For families considering both options, what are the key differences between the Moffat County School District (public) and the private schools in Craig, Colorado?
The key differences center on class size, curriculum focus, and religious education. The Moffat County School District offers a broader range of extracurricular activities, advanced placement courses at the high school level, and larger, more diverse peer groups due to its scale. Private schools in Craig offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), allowing for highly individualized attention. The core differentiator is the faith-based education and values integration found at all private options in Craig, which the public system cannot provide. Academically, private schools may follow specific curricular models (like classical education) but may have fewer specialized resources (e.g., extensive special education services or vocational tech programs) compared to the public district. The choice often boils down to a family's priority for religious education and small community versus the program breadth and no-cost tuition of the public system.