The Best Private Schools in Eaton, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Eaton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Liberty Common School
Liberty Common School
Liberty Common School is a nationally recognized charter school in Fort Collins that serves students from Eaton and the broader Northern Colorado region. The school employs a classical education model combined with rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, offering numerous Advanced Placement courses and exceptional STEM programs. Academic excellence is demonstrated through consistently high test scores and college acceptance rates. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and comprehensive athletic facilities. The school's character education program emphasizes civic responsibility and ethical development. Liberty Common maintains strong parent satisfaction through transparent communication and proven educational outcomes, with many graduates attending prestigious universities.
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Eaton Catholic Schools
Diocese of Denver Catholic Schools
Eaton Catholic Schools is a highly-regarded PK-12 Catholic educational institution serving the Eaton community for over six decades. The school offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum grounded in Catholic values, with strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic fields, and dedicated spaces for arts and technology. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, ensuring personalized attention. Extracurricular programs include competitive athletics, music, drama, and community service opportunities. The school consistently achieves high academic performance with graduates attending top colleges and universities nationwide.
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University Schools
University Schools
University Schools is a premier private college-preparatory institution located in nearby Greeley, serving students from Eaton and surrounding communities. The school offers a rigorous academic program featuring Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate options, and a specialized STEM Academy. With state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes, University Schools provides comprehensive educational experiences. The school emphasizes critical thinking and leadership development through diverse extracurricular activities including competitive sports teams, academic clubs, and community engagement programs. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high due to strong academic outcomes and personalized student support systems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Eaton, Colorado
What are the specific private school options available for families residing in Eaton, Colorado, and do any offer transportation from the town?
Families in Eaton, Colorado, have several private school options, though most are located in nearby Greeley or Fort Collins. The most prominent local institution is **Eaton Catholic Schools**, which serves Pre-K through 12th grade on a single campus. For broader curricula, many Eaton families consider schools in Greeley, such as **University Schools** (a K-12 charter school) and **Liberty Common School** (a K-12 charter in Fort Collins). It is crucial to note that transportation services vary significantly. Eaton Catholic may offer limited bus routes, while schools in Greeley and Fort Collins typically do not provide transportation from Eaton, making carpooling or personal transportation a key logistical consideration for parents.
How does tuition at private schools serving Eaton, CO, compare, and are there Colorado-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in the Eaton area varies based on the school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, **Eaton Catholic Schools** has a parishioner tuition rate approximately between $4,000-$5,000 and a non-parishioner rate higher. **University Schools** and **Liberty Common School** are public charter schools, meaning they are tuition-free. However, they often have mandatory fees, fundraising expectations, and waitlists. For private, tuition-charging schools, Colorado offers the **Child Care Contribution Tax Credit** for donations to scholarship funds, and many schools participate in the **ACE Scholarship** program for low-income families. It's essential to inquire directly with each school about their specific financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private and charter schools in the Eaton area that leverage Colorado's local environment or industries?
Schools serving Eaton families often integrate Colorado's regional strengths into their programs. **Eaton Catholic Schools** emphasizes agricultural science and FFA, directly connecting to the local farming community. **University Schools** in Greeley offers robust STEM pathways and partnerships with the University of Northern Colorado. **Liberty Common School** in Fort Collins is known for its classical, liberal arts curriculum with a strong focus on civic education and Western heritage. Additionally, many of these schools organize outdoor education trips to the Rocky Mountains, emphasizing environmental science and leadership, which is a distinctive feature of education in this region of Colorado.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for the top-rated private and charter schools accessible to Eaton residents?
Enrollment processes and timelines are critical and differ by school type. For **Eaton Catholic Schools**, the enrollment period typically opens in January for the following fall, with priority given to existing families and parish members. The public charter schools, **University Schools** and **Liberty Common School**, operate on a lottery system due to high demand. Their application windows are strictly enforced, often opening in November or December and closing in January, with the lottery held in February or March. Missing these deadlines means joining a waitlist. We strongly recommend visiting school websites in early fall, attending open houses (often held October-January), and submitting applications the day they open to maximize chances.
For a family in Eaton, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public school district, Eaton Catholic Schools, and a charter school in a neighboring city?
The decision hinges on several Eaton-specific factors. The **Eaton School District (RE-2)** offers the convenience of neighborhood schools, strong athletic traditions, and no tuition. **Eaton Catholic Schools** provides a continuous Pre-12 faith-based education in a single, small-community setting, which is unique in the area. Charter schools like **University Schools** or **Liberty Common** offer specialized, often rigorous curricula but require a significant commute to Greeley or Fort Collins (20-30 minutes). Parents must weigh the daily commute time, the value of a religious education, the desire for a specific pedagogical approach (classical vs. STEM-focused), and the social fit within the close-knit Eaton community versus a larger, regional student body.