The Best Private Schools in Lazear, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lazear. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Montessori School of Grand Junction
American Montessori Society
The Montessori School of Grand Junction is a highly-regarded private school serving Western Colorado, including the Lazear area. Founded in 1996, this American Montessori Society-accredited institution offers authentic Montessori education for children ages 3-12. The school features small class sizes with individualized instruction, certified Montessori teachers, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes practical life skills, sensorial development, language arts, mathematics, cultural studies, and Spanish. The campus includes well-equipped classrooms, extensive outdoor learning environments, and gardens. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, academic rigor, and development of independent, confident learners.
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St. Joseph Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Pueblo
St. Joseph Catholic School is a premier private institution serving families throughout Western Colorado, including Lazear. Established in 1956, this parochial school provides education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong foundation in Catholic values and academic excellence. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum including advanced mathematics, science labs, language arts, and religious education. Facilities include modern classrooms, a dedicated STEM lab, library, gymnasium, and athletic fields. Extracurricular programs encompass competitive sports, choir, band, and community service opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for preparing students exceptionally well for high school and beyond.
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Montrose Christian School
Association of Christian Schools International
Montrose Christian School serves families throughout the Western Slope region, including Lazear area residents. Founded in 1984, this ACSI-accredited institution offers education from preschool through 12th grade with a Christ-centered approach to academic excellence. The college-preparatory curriculum includes honors courses, dual enrollment opportunities, and comprehensive STEM education. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, computer labs, athletic facilities, and performance spaces. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement and offers robust extracurricular programs including competitive sports, music, drama, and mission trips. Parents appreciate the tight-knit community, dedicated faculty, and strong moral foundation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lazear, Colorado
Are there any private schools physically located within Lazear, Colorado, or will we need to commute to nearby towns?
There are no private school campuses physically located within the town limits of Lazear, Colorado. Families in Lazear typically commute to neighboring communities for private education. The primary options include The Montessori School of Grand Junction (approx. 60 miles west), St. Joseph Catholic School in Grand Junction, and Montrose Christian School in Montrose (approx. 30 miles south). This means transportation planning is a key consideration for Lazear residents seeking private schooling.
How does the tuition at private schools serving the Lazear, CO, area compare to the state average, and are there any Colorado-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for schools like St. Joseph Catholic School and Montrose Christian School typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 annually for elementary grades, which is generally below the Colorado state average for private schools. A key Colorado-specific financial consideration is the availability of the "Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit," which provides a state income tax credit for donations to organizations offering scholarships for children to attend private schools. Some area schools participate in scholarship organizations that leverage this credit, potentially increasing financial aid availability for Lazear families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Lazear that align with the local rural and agricultural context?
Schools serving the Lazear area often integrate the region's environment into their programs. For example, The Montessori School of Grand Junction emphasizes practical life skills and outdoor education that can resonate with rural living. Montrose Christian School may offer agricultural science modules or partnerships with local farms. Additionally, these schools often provide strong, close-knit community environments and outdoor recreational activities (like skiing, hiking, and agriculture-based clubs) that reflect the Western Colorado lifestyle, which can be a significant draw for Lazear families.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Grand Junction and Montrose areas for a family from Lazear?
For schools like St. Joseph Catholic School and Montrose Christian School, the main enrollment period typically begins in January or February for the following fall, with rolling admissions thereafter until classes are full. Given the commute from Lazear, it is highly recommended to begin inquiries early—often a year in advance. The process usually includes a campus tour (a significant day trip for Lazear residents), application submission, student assessment/interview, and review of records. Sibling and parish member (for Catholic schools) priorities often apply, so communicating your specific situation from a distant town is important.
For a family in rural Lazear, what are the tangible benefits of choosing a private school in Montrose or Grand Junction over the local public school district?
For Lazear families, the decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific religious or values-based instruction. The local public school, likely part of the Delta County or Montrose County district, may involve a long bus ride itself. Private options offer much smaller class sizes (often 15:1 or lower), which can mean more individualized attention. They also provide a consistent educational community from K-8 or K-12, whereas public school transitions in rural Colorado can involve shifting between different, sometimes distant, school buildings. The trade-off is the longer daily commute and tuition cost versus the potential for a tailored learning environment and community alignment that matches your family's values.