The Best Private Schools in Hialeah, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hialeah. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School
Archdiocese of Miami
Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Hialeah and surrounding communities. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 100% college acceptance rate, featuring Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM education, and competitive athletic programs. ACND provides a values-based education in a diverse, supportive environment with modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence.
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St. Thomas the Apostle School
Archdiocese of Miami
St. Thomas the Apostle School offers a comprehensive Catholic education serving families from Hialeah and South Miami areas. The school provides strong foundational education from pre-K through 8th grade with emphasis on academic excellence, spiritual development, and community service. Features include Spanish language immersion programs, advanced mathematics and science curriculum, extensive extracurricular activities, and modern classroom technology. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for preparing students for success in competitive high schools.
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Mater Grove Academy
Mater Schools
Mater Grove Academy is a private Catholic school serving students from Hialeah and surrounding communities with comprehensive K-12 education. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with dual enrollment opportunities, advanced placement courses, and strong STEM programs. Facilities include modern science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes personalized attention with small class sizes and provides extensive college counseling services. Mater Grove has established partnerships with local universities and maintains high academic standards with a focus on character development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hialeah, Florida
What are the main types of private schools available in Hialeah, FL, and how do they differ?
Hialeah offers a distinct mix of private schools primarily rooted in faith-based education, reflecting the city's strong cultural and religious communities. The top schools include Catholic institutions like Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School (co-ed, 9-12) and St. Thomas the Apostle School (PK-8), which provide traditional academic curricula integrated with religious education. Mater Grove Academy is another Catholic option serving grades PK-8. Beyond these, there are also independent secular and Christian academies in the area. The key difference for parents in Hialeah is often the language environment; many private schools here offer robust bilingual (English/Spanish) programs or support, which is a significant consideration for local families.
How does tuition for private schools in Hialeah, FL, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are specific to Florida?
Tuition in Hialeah's private schools is generally competitive and often slightly below the statewide private school average, partly due to the density of options and the community-focused mission of many local parishes. For the 2023-2024 year, elementary tuition at schools like St. Thomas the Apostle or Mater Grove Academy typically ranges from $8,000 to $11,000 annually. High school tuition at Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame is higher, aligning more closely with state averages. Critically, Florida offers two major state-funded scholarship programs that greatly benefit Hialeah families: the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship/Family Empowerment Scholarship for educational choice (income-based) and the Hope Scholarship for students who have experienced bullying. Many Hialeah private schools are approved providers for these programs, making private education more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Hialeah private schools offer that leverage the local culture and community?
Private schools in Hialeah uniquely integrate the city's vibrant Cuban-American and Hispanic heritage into their programs. Academically, this often manifests through advanced Spanish language and literature courses, Latin American history studies, and bilingual STEM programs. Extracurricularly, schools like Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School may have strong baseball programs, reflecting Florida's athletic culture, and clubs focused on Hispanic cultural arts. Furthermore, community service requirements at these schools frequently partner with local Hialeah organizations, churches, and senior centers, providing students with immersive, culturally relevant service learning. This local focus prepares students to be engaged citizens within their specific community context.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Hialeah, and are there any local "must-know" deadlines?
The enrollment process for Hialeah's popular private schools, especially the sought-after Catholic schools, begins early—often in the January or February prior to the fall start date. Open houses typically occur in the autumn. A key local consideration is that many families are part of parish communities, and registered/active parishioners at the affiliated church (e.g., St. Thomas the Apostle Parish) often receive priority admission and reduced tuition rates. Applications usually require birth certificates, baptismal records (for Catholic schools), previous school records, and an entrance assessment. For Florida scholarship programs (FTC/FES), the application window opens in the spring, and applying as soon as it opens is crucial due to high demand in the Miami-Dade area.
For families considering both options, what are the primary advantages of private over public schools in Hialeah, Florida?
In Hialeah, the decision often hinges on class size, specialized programs, and values alignment. Hialeah's public schools are among the most crowded in Miami-Dade County. A primary advantage of local private schools is significantly smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention. Academically, private schools often have more flexibility in curriculum, offering accelerated tracks or specialized religious instruction not available in public schools. Disciplinary environments in Hialeah private schools are typically structured with strict codes of conduct, which many parents seek. Furthermore, while public schools offer choice programs, private schools provide a consistent, community-oriented environment from PK through 12th grade without the need for lottery systems. The ability to use Florida state scholarships can also make the cost difference less prohibitive for qualifying families.
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