The Best Private Schools in Key Largo, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Key Largo. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Island Christian School
Island Christian School
Island Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving the Upper Keys community, including Key Largo. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. Academics are complemented by robust STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school maintains small class sizes for personalized attention and features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty and strong community atmosphere.
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Treasure Village Montessori
Treasure Village Montessori
Treasure Village Montessori is a well-established private school serving the Florida Keys, including Key Largo families. As an authentic Montessori institution, it offers individualized learning paths for students from preschool through 8th grade. The school's unique location allows for specialized programs in marine biology and environmental science, with hands-on learning opportunities in the local ecosystem. The campus features Montessori classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and art studios. The school is noted for its strong academic foundation and development of independent, critical thinkers.
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Coral Shores High School (Private Academy Program)
Monroe County School District - Cambridge Program
While technically part of the public school system, Coral Shores High School's Cambridge AICE Diploma program functions as a premier academic track that many Key Largo families consider as a private-school alternative. The rigorous Cambridge program offers internationally recognized curriculum and college-level coursework. The school features specialized facilities including advanced science labs, marine research equipment, and career technical education centers. The program consistently produces high academic achievers and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including championship athletics and award-winning arts programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Key Largo, Florida
What are the main private school options available in Key Largo, Florida, and what educational philosophies do they represent?
Key Largo offers a small but distinct selection of private schools, each with a different educational approach. Island Christian School provides a faith-based, college-preparatory education from a Protestant Christian perspective. Treasure Village Montessori follows the Montessori method, emphasizing child-led, hands-on learning in a multi-age classroom environment. Coral Shores High School offers a Private Academy Program, which is a public charter-like option with more autonomy, often considered a private alternative within the Monroe County School District framework. This limited selection means parents in Key Largo often consider commuting to nearby Tavernier or Marathon for additional private options.
How does the cost of private school tuition in Key Largo, FL, compare to state averages, and are there any Florida-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition for Key Largo's private schools is generally on par with or slightly above the Florida state average for similar institutions, reflecting the higher cost of living in the Florida Keys. Annual tuition can range significantly, but parents should budget approximately $8,000 to $12,000+ per year. Florida offers specific financial aid opportunities that Key Largo families can utilize, most notably the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES). These state-funded programs provide vouchers for eligible students to attend private schools, and all major private schools in Key Largo participate in these scholarship programs, making private education more accessible for qualifying families.
Given Key Largo's unique coastal environment, do local private schools offer specialized academic or extracurricular programs related to marine science or environmental studies?
Yes, Key Largo's location in the Florida Keys directly influences its private school curricula and extracurriculars. Schools leverage the local ecosystem as a living laboratory. Island Christian School and the Coral Shores Private Academy Program often integrate marine biology and environmental stewardship into their science curricula, with potential for field trips to local reefs, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and mangrove forests. Treasure Village Montessori's hands-on philosophy naturally extends to outdoor and environmental education. While formal "maritime academies" are more common in larger coastal cities, Key Largo's private schools provide exceptional localized learning opportunities that are unique to this island community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Key Largo, and how does the "island time" factor impact availability?
The enrollment process in Key Largo's private schools often begins in the winter (January-February) for the following academic year, with deadlines typically in the spring. However, due to the smaller, tight-knit nature of the Keys community and limited seat availability, it is highly advisable to initiate inquiries as early as possible—sometimes a full year in advance. The "island time" factor means that while deadlines exist, communication and processing may feel less formal and more personal. Tours and interviews are essential, and waitlists are common, especially for popular entry grades. A key local consideration is that enrollment can be more fluid year-round due to the transient nature of some island families, so it's always worth checking for mid-year openings.
For families considering both public and private education in Key Largo, what are the primary differentiating factors in terms of class size, curriculum flexibility, and community feel?
The primary differentiators in Key Largo are pronounced. Public schools in Monroe County, while well-regarded, serve a widespread island chain, leading to larger class sizes and less individualized attention. Private options like Island Christian School and Treasure Village Montessori offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), allowing for personalized instruction. Curriculum flexibility is greater in private schools; for example, Treasure Village uses a non-standard Montessori curriculum, and Island Christian can integrate faith throughout the day. The community feel in Key Largo's private schools is intensely close-knit, often functioning like an extended family, which is a hallmark of small island communities. The Coral Shores Private Academy Program offers a middle ground—a public-school-managed program with some private-school characteristics, including a focused academic track. The choice often comes down to a desire for a specific pedagogical approach or religious foundation versus the no-tuition structure of the traditional public system.
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