The Best Private Schools in Crawford, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Crawford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Delta County Christian School
Independent Christian School
Delta County Christian School serves students throughout Delta County, including the Crawford area, with a comprehensive Christian education program. The school offers small class sizes, individualized attention, and a strong college preparatory curriculum. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with programs in athletics, music, drama, and community service. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's family atmosphere and strong teacher-student relationships.
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Montrose Christian School
Independent Christian School
Montrose Christian School serves students from throughout the Western Slope region, including Crawford families. The school provides a Christ-centered education with rigorous academic standards and comprehensive extracurricular programs. Features include modern technology integration, competitive sports teams, music and arts programs, and college counseling. The campus includes well-equipped classrooms, science laboratories, and athletic facilities. The school is known for its strong community involvement and high parent satisfaction ratings.
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Grace Christian School
Grace Community Church
Grace Christian School provides elementary and middle school education to students from Montrose and surrounding communities, including Crawford. The school offers a balanced approach to education with strong academics integrated with biblical principles. Programs include comprehensive literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies, along with enrichment courses in music, art, and physical education. The school features small class sizes, experienced teachers, and a supportive learning environment. Parent reviews consistently praise the school's nurturing atmosphere and academic quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Crawford, Colorado
What are the private school options directly in Crawford, Colorado, and what are the commuting realities for families?
There are no private schools physically located within the town of Crawford itself. Families in Crawford typically look to neighboring communities. The primary options are Delta County Christian School in Delta (about a 35-minute drive), Montrose Christian School in Montrose (about a 45-minute drive), and Grace Christian School in Cedaredge (about a 30-minute drive). This means committing to a significant daily commute, often forming or joining carpool groups with other Crawford families. It's essential to factor in travel time, weather conditions on mountain roads like Highway 92, and transportation logistics when considering these schools.
How does tuition at private schools serving Crawford, CO, compare to state averages, and are there any Colorado-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the Christian schools in the North Fork Valley and surrounding areas is generally below the state average for private schools, often ranging from $4,000 to $8,000 annually for elementary grades. However, family budgets must also account for commuting costs. A key Colorado-specific financial consideration is the availability of the "Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit." Donations to certain scholarship-granting organizations that provide financial aid for private school students can yield a 50% state tax credit for the donor, which indirectly supports aid pools. It's crucial to ask each school about their specific financial aid, scholarship, and potential multi-child discount policies.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Crawford offer that reflect the local environment and community values?
Schools like Delta County Christian School and Grace Christian School often integrate the local rural and agricultural lifestyle into their programs. This can include agricultural science projects, outdoor education that utilizes the nearby West Elk Mountains and Black Canyon, and an emphasis on community service within the North Fork Valley. Given the strong agricultural and ranching community in Crawford, these schools typically offer a values-based education that aligns with the community's character, along with smaller class sizes that allow for individualized attention—a notable contrast to larger, more remote district schools in the region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Crawford area, and how does it differ from public school registration?
Enrollment for the following academic year at schools like Montrose Christian or Delta County Christian often begins in early spring (February-April), which is earlier than public school registration. The process is more involved, usually requiring an application, family interview, pastoral reference (for faith-based schools), and student assessment. Spaces are limited due to small class sizes, so applying early is critical for Crawford families. Unlike the automatic enrollment in the local Crawford public school district (Delta County School District 50J), admission to these private schools is selective and not guaranteed by residence.
For a Crawford family, what are the key factors in choosing between the local public school (Crawford Elementary/Secondary) and a private school a commute away?
The decision hinges on several local factors. The Crawford public school offers the convenience of being within the community, with no commute, and strong local ties. The private school option involves a daily commitment to driving but typically offers smaller class sizes, a specific religious or values-based curriculum, and sometimes different extracurricular opportunities. Families must weigh the importance of a faith-based education, the desired student-teacher ratio, and the ability to manage the commute against the benefits of a community-centered local school. Visiting both the local public school and the private options is essential to feel the difference in environment.