The Best Private Schools in Kersey, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kersey. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Catholic School
Catholic Schools of Greeley
St. Mary's Catholic School provides a faith-based education to students from Kersey and surrounding communities. With over 70 years of operation, this established private school offers a classical education model integrated with Catholic values. The school features strong academic fundamentals, dedicated faculty with low turnover, and comprehensive fine arts programs. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the nurturing environment, academic rigor, and strong community atmosphere. The school serves students from preschool through 8th grade.
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University Schools
University Schools District
University Schools is a highly-rated charter school network serving the Greeley/Kersey area with a comprehensive K-12 program. Located just 15 minutes from Kersey, this established institution offers rigorous college preparatory curriculum with strong STEM emphasis, numerous AP courses, and competitive athletic programs. The school features modern facilities, small class sizes, and consistently high academic performance metrics. Parents praise the dedicated teaching staff and the school's commitment to individualized student development.
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Frontier Academy
Frontier Academy Charter School
Frontier Academy is a highly-regarded charter school located approximately 15 minutes from Kersey in Greeley. The school serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on college preparation and character development. Known for its rigorous academic standards, the school offers comprehensive programs including competitive sports, visual and performing arts, and numerous extracurricular activities. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. Parent reviews highlight the school's safe environment, committed teachers, and strong academic outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kersey, Colorado
What are the private school options for families living in Kersey, Colorado, and do any offer transportation from our town?
Kersey itself is a smaller town, so most private school options are located in nearby Greeley, approximately 10-15 miles away. The primary private schools serving the Kersey area are University Schools (a K-12 charter network with a college-prep focus), St. Mary's Catholic School (a PreK-8 faith-based school), and Frontier Academy (a K-12 charter school emphasizing character and academics). It is crucial to contact each school directly regarding transportation, as bus routes from Kersey may be limited or unavailable. Many families in Kersey form carpools to manage the commute to Greeley for these educational options.
How does Colorado's school choice and funding mechanisms, like the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, impact private school tuition for Kersey residents?
Colorado has robust public school choice but limited direct public funding for private school tuition. The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) is primarily for public college students. For K-12, the main financial mechanism is the availability of charter schools (like University and Frontier), which are public, tuition-free, and require no vouchers. For traditional private schools (like St. Mary's), parents pay tuition. However, Colorado offers tax credits for contributions to scholarship funds, such as those managed by ACE Scholarships, which can provide need-based aid to eligible families attending participating private schools, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs for Kersey residents.
Given Kersey's agricultural community, do any local private schools offer specialized programs in agriculture, environmental science, or STEM that align with regional interests?
Yes, the private and charter schools serving the Kersey area have developed programs that resonate with Northern Colorado's agricultural and tech sectors. University Schools offers robust STEM pathways and Advanced Placement courses in Environmental Science. Frontier Academy has a strong science curriculum and character education that often incorporates local community and environmental projects. While not exclusively agricultural, these programs provide a strong foundation. For direct agricultural training, many Kersey students also participate in FFA through their local public high school or explore dual-enrollment opportunities at Aims Community College or the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
What are the typical enrollment timelines and lottery processes for the top charter schools near Kersey, like University Schools and Frontier Academy?
Enrollment for charter schools in the Greeley area, which serve Kersey families, is highly time-sensitive and often involves a lottery. Both University Schools and Frontier Academy have annual open enrollment periods, typically in January or February for the following academic year. Applications submitted during this window are entered into a random lottery if the number of applicants exceeds available seats. Siblings of currently enrolled students usually receive priority. It is essential to check each school's website in the fall, as dates can vary. Missing the open enrollment period means applications are placed on a waitlist in the order received, so planning a year in advance is strongly advised for Kersey parents.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private/charter schools near Kersey compare to those in the local public school district, Platte Valley Re-7?
The Platte Valley Re-7 School District, which serves Kersey, is known for its tight-knit, small-town community and smaller class sizes typical of a rural district. The private/charter options in Greeley offer a different environment. University Schools and Frontier Academy, as larger charter networks, may have slightly larger individual class sizes but often maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio through their organizational models. They offer a more diverse, suburban student population and extensive extracurricular options. St. Mary's provides a very small, faith-based community. The choice often comes down to a preference for the intimate, local community of Platte Valley versus specialized academic programs, religious education, or a broader peer network found in the Greeley-based schools.