The Best Private Schools in Frederica, Delaware
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Frederica. 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 co-educational Episcopal boarding and day school located just 25 minutes from Frederica. Known for its rigorous academic program and beautiful 2,200-acre campus, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory education with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. The school emphasizes character development, community service, and offers robust arts and athletic programs. With an exceptional student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1, St. Andrew's provides personalized attention and has a strong track record of college placements at top universities.
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The Academy of Dover
Charter School of Wilmington Network
The Academy of Dover is a highly-regarded charter school serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade, located approximately 15 minutes from Frederica. While technically a public charter school, it operates with private school-level autonomy and academic rigor. The school emphasizes STEM education with advanced mathematics and science programs, small class sizes, and a strong focus on college preparation. Parents consistently praise the dedicated teachers, challenging curriculum, and supportive learning environment that prepares students for competitive high school programs.
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Smyrna School District - Private Partnership Program
Smyrna School District
While primarily a public school district, Smyrna offers exceptional private-level educational opportunities through specialized programs that serve students from surrounding areas including Frederica (approximately 20 minutes away). The district features International Baccalaureate programs, extensive Advanced Placement offerings, and state-of-the-art career technical education facilities. Known for its innovative teaching approaches and strong community support, Smyrna provides a comprehensive educational experience with outstanding extracurricular activities, athletics, and arts programs that rival many private institutions in quality and scope.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Frederica, Delaware
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Frederica, Delaware?
Frederica itself is a small town, so most private school options are located in the surrounding Kent County area. The most prominent is St. Andrew's School, a prestigious, non-sectarian boarding and day school in Middletown with a national reputation. Closer options include The Academy of Dover, a private K-8 school emphasizing individualized learning. Additionally, Delaware's unique "Private Partnership Program" allows students in certain districts, like Smyrna, to attend participating private schools using public funding, which can be an important option for Frederica families. Exploring schools in nearby Dover, Smyrna, and Middletown is essential due to Frederica's limited on-site private institutions.
How does Delaware's "Private Partnership Program" work, and can Frederica families utilize it?
Delaware's Public School Choice program includes a "Private Partnership" component, but availability is specific to the school district. Frederica is part of the Lake Forest School District, which does not currently operate a private partnership program. However, the neighboring Smyrna School District does have such a program. While typically for district residents, it's worth contacting the Smyrna district directly to understand any cross-district or special application possibilities. For Frederica residents, this means the primary avenue for private education is through traditional tuition-based enrollment, making understanding tuition assistance at schools like St. Andrew's or The Academy of Dover particularly important.
What is the tuition range for private schools near Frederica, DE, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition near Frederica varies dramatically by school type. The Academy of Dover has a more accessible range, typically between $8,000-$12,000 annually for K-8. In contrast, St. Andrew's School, as a elite boarding institution, has tuition and fees exceeding $60,000 for boarding students and approximately $40,000 for day students. Most Delaware private schools offer need-based financial aid, and some may have merit scholarships. It's also crucial for Delaware residents to investigate the state's "Student Excellence Equals Degree" (SEED) scholarship for later college, as attending an eligible private high school can maintain residency requirements for this benefit.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Frederica area offer that distinguish them from public options?
Private schools near Frederica offer specialized programs not always available in local public schools. St. Andrew's School is renowned for its rigorous college-prep curriculum, global study opportunities, and extensive arts and athletics on a sprawling campus. The Academy of Dover emphasizes small class sizes and project-based learning tailored to individual student paces. Furthermore, the private school environment often allows for more specialized STEM initiatives, language immersion at an earlier age, and unique offerings like rowing (at St. Andrew's) that leverage the region's natural geography. These programs provide alternatives to the curriculum of the Lake Forest public district.
What are the key enrollment timelines and application requirements for private schools serving Frederica, DE?
Timelines are critical and vary. For a sought-after school like St. Andrew's, the application process for the following academic year often begins in the early fall, with deadlines in January or February for day students. Standard requirements include transcripts, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores (like the SSAT or ISEE), and a campus interview. For schools like The Academy of Dover, the process may be more rolling but still competitive for limited seats. Given Frederica's rural nature, planning for transportation and understanding start times is a key part of the enrollment decision. We recommend initiating inquiries at least 12-18 months before desired entry, especially for higher grade levels.