The Best Private Schools in Ellendale, Delaware
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ellendale. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Thomas More Academy
Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
St. Thomas More Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving Southern Delaware. Located just 15 miles from Ellendale, this coeducational school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with strong emphasis on character development and faith formation. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and comprehensive college counseling. Students benefit from modern STEM labs, competitive athletic programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities including robotics, theater, and community service. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and is known for its strong sense of community and personalized attention.
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The Independence School
Independent
The Independence School is a premier independent private school serving students from preschool through 8th grade, with many families commuting from throughout Delaware including the Ellendale area. The school is renowned for its challenging academic program, innovative STEM curriculum, and exceptional faculty. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, technology centers, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character education and leadership development while offering robust extracurricular programs including competitive sports, robotics, debate, and arts. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high with praise for the nurturing environment and academic rigor.
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Salisbury School
Independent
Salisbury School serves students from Delaware and Maryland, with many families commuting from Ellendale and surrounding areas. This independent college preparatory school offers a comprehensive educational experience from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is known for its strong academic program with extensive AP course offerings, dedicated faculty, and personalized college counseling. Facilities include modern classrooms, science and technology labs, art studios, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes whole-child development through arts, athletics, and community service programs. With a focus on preparing students for top colleges and universities, Salisbury School maintains small class sizes and a supportive learning environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ellendale, Delaware
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Ellendale, Delaware, given that many top schools are in other towns?
While Ellendale itself is a small town with limited on-site private schools, families commonly consider schools within a reasonable commuting distance. The most frequently considered institutions include St. Thomas More Academy in Magnolia (approx. 20 minutes north), The Independence School in Newark (approx. 45-60 minutes north), and the Salisbury School in Salisbury, Maryland (approx. 25-30 minutes south). Your choice will largely depend on the grade level, educational philosophy (e.g., Catholic, independent), and your willingness to commute. Many families in southern Delaware form carpools to manage the drive to these schools.
How does Delaware's School Choice program affect private school tuition for Ellendale residents?
Delaware does not have a universal voucher or tax-credit scholarship program that directly reduces private school tuition for all families. However, the state's "School Choice" program primarily refers to public school choice between districts and charter schools. For private schools, financial aid is typically need-based and provided directly by the individual schools. For instance, St. Thomas More Academy and The Independence School have their own financial aid and scholarship funds. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school's admissions office about available aid and application deadlines, as this is the primary avenue for managing tuition costs in the Ellendale area.
Are there private schools near Ellendale that offer specialized programs in agriculture or environmental science, given the town's rural setting in Sussex County?
Yes, the rural character of the region influences program offerings. The Salisbury School, while in Maryland, has a strong emphasis on experiential learning and offers robust science programs that can leverage the local environment. St. Thomas More Academy, with its college-preparatory focus, integrates environmental science into its curriculum. For a dedicated agricultural focus, families sometimes look at boarding schools further afield. A key advantage for Ellendale students is the opportunity for practical, real-world science projects and internships due to the surrounding farmland and proximity to the Delaware Bay ecosystem, which some local private schools actively incorporate.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and key deadlines for private schools serving Ellendale, DE families?
The timeline is similar to national independent school norms but requires early planning due to the need for commuting logistics. For fall admission, the process often begins in the prior September-October with open houses. Application deadlines for schools like The Independence School and Salisbury School are typically in January or February for the following academic year. St. Thomas More Academy may have more rolling admissions but encourages early application. Financial aid applications usually have a February deadline. Given the travel involved for tours and interviews from Ellendale, it's highly recommended to start researching and contacting schools 12-18 months in advance, especially for entry into competitive grades like kindergarten, 6th, or 9th.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools near Ellendale compare to the local public schools in the Woodbridge School District?
This is a defining difference. Private schools like St. Thomas More Academy and The Independence School typically offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 12-18 students) compared to the larger classes in Woodbridge public schools. This allows for more individualized attention. The community environment in these private schools is often characterized by a close-knit, structured atmosphere with required parental involvement. For Ellendale families, the private school community can extend your social and support network across a wider geographic area of Sussex County and into Maryland, whereas the public school community is more hyper-local. The trade-off involves the commute and tuition versus the potential for a tailored educational approach and specific values-based instruction.