The Best Private Schools in Houston, Delaware
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Houston. 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 School
St. Andrew's School is a prestigious co-educational Episcopal boarding and day school serving the greater Delaware area, including Houston. 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 20+ AP courses, championship athletics, extensive arts programs, and community service opportunities. The school emphasizes character development and intellectual growth within a diverse, inclusive community.
Programs:
Holy Cross Elementary School
Diocese of Wilmington Catholic Schools
Holy Cross Elementary School provides a faith-based education serving families throughout Kent County, including Houston. The school offers a strong academic foundation with integrated technology, dedicated faculty, and a supportive community environment. Programs include comprehensive STEM education, fine arts, competitive sports, and religious formation. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with many graduates advancing to top regional high schools.
Programs:
Providence Creek Academy
Charter School of Wilmington Network
Providence Creek Academy is a highly-regarded charter school serving students from Houston and surrounding communities in central Delaware. The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on STEM education, featuring advanced science and mathematics programs. Students benefit from dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges, comprehensive arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The school maintains high academic standards with dedicated faculty and modern facilities, preparing students for success in higher education.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Houston, Delaware
What are the primary private school options available for families in Houston, Delaware, and what educational philosophies do they represent?
Houston, Delaware, offers a small but distinct set of private schools, each with a different focus. The top options include St. Andrew's School, a prestigious Episcopal-affiliated college-preparatory boarding and day school known for its rigorous academics and global perspective. Holy Cross Elementary School provides a Catholic education rooted in faith-based values for younger students. Providence Creek Academy is a state charter school that functions like a private school, offering a STEM-focused curriculum. This mix means Houston-area parents can choose from religious, classical preparatory, or specialized charter models, all within a close-knit community setting in Kent County.
How does tuition for private schools in Houston, DE, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in Houston varies significantly by institution. St. Andrew's School, as a top-tier boarding school, has a tuition and boarding fee that is considerably higher than the Delaware private school average, though it offers robust need-based financial aid, with over 30% of students receiving assistance. Holy Cross Elementary, as a parish school, has a more moderate tuition structure, often with reduced rates for parish members. Providence Creek Academy, as a public charter school, is tuition-free. Delaware also has the Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) scholarship for in-state public college/university attendance, which can be a future financial consideration for families investing in private K-12 education now.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Houston, Delaware's private schools offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in Houston leverage Delaware's unique position. St. Andrew's School utilizes its 2,200-acre campus for extensive environmental science programs and has partnerships with nearby Dover institutions like the Air Mobility Command Museum for history and engineering projects. Its location between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia facilitates unique internship and cultural opportunities. Providence Creek Academy emphasizes STEM, potentially connecting with Delaware's strong corporate and agricultural sectors. Holy Cross integrates community service within the local Houston and greater Dover area. These schools use their Kent County setting to move learning beyond the classroom in ways specific to the Delmarva region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Houston, Delaware area, and are there key local deadlines?
Enrollment timelines in Houston are school-specific but generally align with a late fall/winter application cycle for the following academic year. St. Andrew's School has the most formalized process, with application deadlines typically in January or February for boarding students, requiring standardized testing (SSAT/ISEE) and interviews. Holy Cross Elementary may have a rolling admissions policy but encourages early application due to limited seats. Providence Creek Academy, as a charter, may hold a public lottery if applications exceed available spots, with a deadline usually in January. Given the limited number of options, parents in Houston are advised to begin inquiries and campus visits by the October prior to the desired enrollment year.
For families considering both, what are the notable differences between the public schools in the Caesar Rodney School District and the private schools in Houston, DE?
The key differences lie in class size, specialization, and cost. The Caesar Rodney School District provides a comprehensive, tuition-free education with a wide range of programs. In contrast, Houston's private options offer smaller class sizes and distinct identities: St. Andrew's provides a highly residential, globally-focused prep environment; Holy Cross offers a structured, faith-based foundation; and Providence Creek Academy delivers a targeted STEM curriculum in a charter setting. The private/charter options may offer more tailored approaches but often require tuition (except PCA) or a longer commute. The decision often hinges on whether a family seeks a specific religious, pedagogical, or preparatory focus not fully available in the district's offerings.
Private Education Insights
Find the Best Private Middle Schools in Houston, Delaware: A Parent's Guide
When you find yourself searching for "private middle schools near me" in Houston, Delaware, you are embarking on a significant journey for your family. This quiet, close-knit community in the heart of Kent County offers a distinct educational landscape where the values of personalized attention and community connection are paramount. For parents here, the decision often goes beyond academics, seeking an environment that nurtures the whole child during these pivotal middle school years. The local options, while select, provide deeply impactful and varied approaches to education, each with its own character reflective of our area's blend of rural charm and accessible proximity to larger hubs like Dover.
In Houston, the concept of "near me" takes on a wonderfully manageable scale. Families are often looking for a school that feels like an extension of their community, a place where teachers know every student's name and parents are familiar faces at school events. One standout option is Providence Creek Academy, a charter school that serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. While technically a public charter, it operates with the focused programming and specialized attention many families associate with private education, making it a crucial part of the conversation. Their middle school program is known for its structured environment and college-preparatory focus, offering a rigorous academic pathway right here in our community.
For those specifically seeking a private, faith-based education, Holy Cross Elementary School provides a foundational and nurturing environment for younger students. While it primarily serves the elementary grades, understanding the full K-12 trajectory is important for Houston families planning ahead. This often leads parents to consider the esteemed St. Andrew's School, located a short drive away in Middletown. As a premier independent Episcopal school serving grades 6-12, St. Andrew's is a frequent destination for Houston families seeking an exceptional, comprehensive private middle school experience. Its national reputation for academic excellence and robust arts and athletics programs makes it a compelling choice, even with a brief commute.
The search for private middle schools in our area requires considering the daily rhythm of family life. Houston’s setting means that a slightly broader geographic view often yields the perfect fit. It’s beneficial to think about carpool possibilities with other local families, the importance of a school's community feel, and how the school’s values align with your own. We encourage you to move beyond the initial search and visit these schools. Attend an open house at Providence Creek to feel its academic climate, or schedule a tour at St. Andrew’s to witness its vibrant campus life. These visits are invaluable; they allow you to see students interacting, ask detailed questions about curriculum and support, and ultimately gauge where your child will thrive. Choosing a middle school in the Houston area is about finding that right blend of challenging academics, supportive community, and a philosophy that resonates with your family, ensuring these critical years are both productive and joyful.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities