The Best Private Schools in Englewood, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Englewood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary Academy
Diocese of Venice
St. Mary Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving Englewood and the surrounding communities. The school offers comprehensive education from Pre-K through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics. Features include modern classrooms, STEM laboratories, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with dedicated faculty and offers extensive extracurricular programs including sports, music, and community service opportunities. Parents consistently praise the nurturing environment and academic excellence.
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Island Village Montessori School
Independent Montessori
Island Village Montessori School is a premier Montessori institution serving Englewood and the greater Venice area. The school provides authentic Montessori education for students from toddler through middle school levels. The campus features purpose-built Montessori classrooms, extensive outdoor learning environments, science labs, and art studios. The school emphasizes individualized learning, hands-on experiences, and character development. Highly qualified Montessori-trained teachers provide exceptional education with strong parent satisfaction ratings. The school offers before and after-school care and numerous enrichment programs.
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The Out-of-Door Academy
Independent College Preparatory
The Out-of-Door Academy is a prestigious independent college preparatory school with two campuses serving Englewood and the broader Sarasota County region. With nearly a century of educational excellence, ODA offers comprehensive programs from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology centers, performing arts theaters, athletic complexes, and extensive campus grounds. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, robust arts programs, and community leadership opportunities. Known for exceptional college placement and academic rigor, ODA maintains small class sizes with highly qualified faculty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Englewood, Florida
What are the primary private school options available within Englewood, Florida, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Englewood, FL, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a unique approach. St. Mary Academy is a private Catholic school offering a faith-based, traditional education for students in Pre-K through 8th grade. Island Village Montessori School serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade with a child-centered, hands-on Montessori curriculum. The Out-of-Door Academy, while its lower school campus is located in nearby Lakewood Ranch, is a prominent option for Englewood families seeking a rigorous, college-preparatory independent school experience from Pre-K through 12th grade. Given Englewood's smaller size, some families also consider private schools in neighboring Sarasota or Charlotte counties.
How does the tuition for private schools in Englewood, FL, compare to state averages, and are there any Florida-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in Englewood varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Mary Academy and Island Village Montessori typically have tuition ranges from approximately $8,000 to $12,000 annually, which is generally at or slightly below the Florida private elementary school average. The Out-of-Door Academy's tuition is higher, aligning with elite college-prep schools. Critically, Florida offers substantial state-funded financial aid programs like the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES), which many Englewood private schools accept. These programs can make private education more accessible for eligible families based on income or other criteria.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Englewood-area private schools offer that leverage the local coastal environment?
Several Englewood private schools integrate the unique Southwest Florida environment into their programs. Island Village Montessori often incorporates outdoor and environmental education into its curriculum, utilizing local ecosystems for science studies. The Out-of-Door Academy, with its two campuses, has a strong emphasis on environmental science and sustainability; its Siesta Key campus provides direct access to marine biology studies. While St. Mary Academy has a traditional core, its location allows for community service projects and field trips focused on local ecology and coastal conservation, offering students a grounded, place-based learning experience distinct from inland schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Englewood, and are there long waitlists?
The enrollment process in Englewood typically begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year. Key steps include attending open houses (often held between October and January), submitting an application by January or February deadlines, and completing student assessments or classroom visits. For schools like Island Village Montessori and St. Mary Academy, spaces can fill quickly, especially in popular early childhood grades, potentially leading to waitlists. The Out-of-Door Academy has a more comprehensive process including standardized testing and interviews. Due to Englewood's desirability as a residential community, it's advisable for parents to initiate inquiries at least a year in advance.
For families moving to Englewood, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (like Englewood Elementary) and the available private options?
The decision hinges on several Englewood-specific factors. Public schools like Englewood Elementary are tuition-free and offer strong community integration. However, private schools in Englewood provide smaller class sizes, specialized teaching philosophies (Montessori, faith-based, or college-prep), and often more consistent academic ratings. A major practical consideration is the lack of a public high school in Englewood proper; students are districted for Lemon Bay High School in nearby Charlotte County. Therefore, a private option like The Out-of-Door Academy can provide a continuous Pre-K-12 pathway without a school transition. Additionally, private schools may offer more flexibility for families who split their time seasonally in Florida.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Top Private Schools in Englewood, Florida: A Parent's Guide
When you begin searching for the "best private schools near me" in Englewood, Florida, you quickly discover that the quest is about more than just rankings. It's about finding the right educational environment that aligns with your family's values, your child's unique needs, and the distinctive lifestyle of our coastal community. Englewood offers a surprisingly diverse range of private educational options, each with its own philosophy and strengths, all within a short drive of our beautiful beaches and quiet neighborhoods.
For many families, the search starts close to home with institutions like St. Mary Academy. This faith-based school provides a structured, values-oriented education rooted in the Catholic tradition. It’s known for fostering a tight-knit community feel, which can be incredibly comforting for parents seeking a familiar, supportive environment for their children from preschool through eighth grade. The emphasis on character development alongside academics is a significant draw for families prioritizing moral grounding. However, it's important to consider if the religious curriculum aligns with your personal beliefs, as this is a cornerstone of the experience.
Venturing a bit further, you might explore the innovative approach of Island Village Montessori School in nearby Venice. This school exemplifies the Montessori method, where child-led learning, hands-on materials, and mixed-age classrooms are central. If your child thrives on exploration, independence, and learning at their own pace, this could be an ideal fit. The Montessori philosophy encourages deep concentration and intrinsic motivation, skills that benefit learners for life. For Englewood parents, it represents a commitment to a specific educational model that differs significantly from traditional schooling, so visiting the classroom to see it in action is highly recommended.
For those seeking a college-preparatory experience with extensive resources, The Out-of-Door Academy, with campuses in Lakewood Ranch and Siesta Key, is often part of the conversation about the best private schools near me. While it requires a commute, many Englewood families find the expansive academic, arts, and athletic programs worth the drive. ODA offers a rigorous curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, and a strong track record of university placements. This option speaks to families who are planning long-term for competitive higher education and are looking for a comprehensive, K-12 independent school environment.
Ultimately, defining the "best" school in Englewood is a personal decision. It involves weighing practical factors like commute times against educational philosophies. We are fortunate that our area provides choices from faith-based to Montessori to college-prep. The most important step is to move beyond the online search. Schedule tours, ask questions about class size and teacher retention, and observe the students. Do they seem engaged and happy? Talk to other Englewood parents at the farmer's market or the beach. Their firsthand experiences with the daily rhythms of these schools—the morning drives, the community events—will provide the local context you need to make the most informed, confident choice for your child’s future.
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