The Best Private Schools in Felton, Delaware
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Felton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Andrew's School
Independent
St. Andrew's School is a prestigious coeducational Episcopal boarding and day school serving the Felton area and broader Delaware region. Known for its rigorous academic curriculum and beautiful 2,200-acre campus, the school offers small class sizes with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The comprehensive program includes Advanced Placement courses, extensive arts programs, competitive athletics, and community service opportunities. The school emphasizes character development and intellectual growth within a supportive residential community.
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The College School
University of Delaware
The College School at the University of Delaware serves as a laboratory school that provides innovative education for students throughout Delaware, including the Felton area. The school specializes in serving students with learning differences while maintaining high academic standards. It features small class sizes, individualized instruction, and access to University of Delaware resources. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, technology integration, and developing independent learning skills in a supportive environment.
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Campus Community School
Charter Schools USA
Campus Community School is a highly-regarded K-12 charter school serving Felton and the Central Delaware region. The school emphasizes academic excellence through a comprehensive curriculum with strong STEM components and college preparatory focus. Features include small class sizes, individualized learning plans, character education programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school maintains high academic standards with a focus on preparing students for college and career success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Felton, Delaware
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Felton, Delaware?
While Felton itself is a smaller town, families have access to several notable private institutions in the surrounding Kent County area. The most prominent include St. Andrew's School in Middletown (a prestigious, Episcopal-affiliated boarding/day school), Campus Community School in Dover (a public charter school often considered alongside private options due to its specialized model), and The College School in Wilmington (though a longer commute, it's renowned for students with learning differences). For Felton residents, these schools typically involve a commute, making transportation logistics a key local consideration.
How does tuition for private schools near Felton, DE, compare to the state average, and are there state-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition near Felton varies dramatically. St. Andrew's, as a top-tier boarding school, has tuition comparable to national independent schools, often exceeding $40,000 for boarding. Campus Community School, as a charter, is tuition-free. Delaware offers specific financial aid avenues like the "Student Excellence Means Equity" (SEME) scholarship, which provides needs-based funding for students attending private schools if their local public school is identified as underperforming. Additionally, many Delaware private schools participate in the state's "SEED" scholarship program for graduates attending Delaware Technical Community College.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Felton, Delaware?
Schools serving the Felton area provide distinct specializations. St. Andrew's offers a globally-focused curriculum with renowned humanities and science programs, extensive study abroad opportunities, and a strong emphasis on residential life and athletics. Campus Community School emphasizes a "community" and project-based learning model with a longer school day and year. The College School specializes in educating bright students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other language-based learning differences through a highly individualized, multisensory curriculum. For Felton families, choosing often hinges on whether they seek a rigorous college-prep, a structured charter model, or specialized learning support.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Felton, Delaware region?
Timelines are school-specific and require early planning, especially for competitive institutions. For St. Andrew's, the application process for the following academic year often begins in the fall, with deadlines in January or February for day students, and includes standardized testing (SSAT/ISEE), interviews, and campus visits. Campus Community School, as a charter, holds an annual public lottery in the spring for available seats, with registration typically opening months prior. The College School has a rolling admissions process but recommends applying early due to limited space. Felton parents should initiate research and visits at least a year in advance, as spots, particularly in specialized programs, are limited.
For a family in Felton, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school (Lake Forest School District) to nearby private options?
The key considerations include educational approach, cost, and logistics. The Lake Forest School District provides a no-cost, community-based education with standard extracurriculars. In contrast, private options offer smaller class sizes, specialized curricula (like classical education at some privates or project-based at Campus Community), and often more robust college counseling. The major trade-off is cost and commute. For St. Andrew's, it's a significant financial investment and a 30-45 minute drive. For Campus Community, it's a free option but still a commute to Dover and admission is lottery-based. The decision often centers on whether a family's needs align with a private school's specific niche or if the local public school meets their child's requirements.
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