The Best Private Schools in Merritt Island, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Merritt Island. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy - Melbourne Campus
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy is a highly-regarded private school serving the Space Coast region, including Merritt Island families. The academy offers a comprehensive college preparatory education from pre-K through 12th grade with small class sizes and individualized attention. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with strong STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive arts offerings. Many graduates attend top-tier universities nationwide.
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Covenant Christian School
Covenant Christian Ministries
Covenant Christian School serves families throughout Brevard County, including Merritt Island, with a Christ-centered education from pre-K through 12th grade. The school maintains small class sizes and offers a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with biblical worldview. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, athletic fields, and performance spaces. The school features competitive sports teams, vibrant arts programs, and numerous extracurricular activities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and strong academic preparation for college.
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Ascension Catholic Academy
Ascension Catholic Church
Ascension Catholic Academy provides a faith-based education to students from pre-K through 8th grade, serving families across Brevard County including Merritt Island. The school combines strong Catholic traditions with modern educational practices, featuring a comprehensive STEAM program, Spanish language instruction, and competitive athletics. The campus includes updated classrooms, technology labs, a chapel, and recreational facilities. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere, dedicated faculty, and excellent preparation for high school. Many graduates continue to top private high schools in the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Merritt Island, Florida
What are the primary private school options available directly on Merritt Island, Florida, and are there notable schools in nearby communities that Merritt Island families commonly consider?
Directly on Merritt Island, Covenant Christian School (PreK-12) is a prominent local option offering a biblically-integrated curriculum. Many families also look to neighboring communities due to the concentration of schools there. Just across the Indian River in Melbourne, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (PreK-12) is a highly-regarded college-preparatory school with a robust academic and athletic program. In Rockledge, Ascension Catholic Academy (PreK-8) provides a faith-based education. The proximity to the Space Coast also means some families explore STEM-focused private programs in the wider Brevard County area. Transportation across the causeways is a common consideration for Merritt Island residents.
How does tuition for private schools in the Merritt Island, FL, area compare, and what financial aid or scholarship options are uniquely available to Florida residents?
Tuition in the Merritt Island area varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Covenant Christian School's tuition ranges approximately from $7,500 for elementary to $9,500 for high school. Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy's tuition is higher, often ranging from $15,000 to $20,000+, reflecting its extensive facilities and programs. A critical financial consideration for Florida families is the state's school choice programs. Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) are widely accepted by these private schools and can cover a substantial portion, if not all, of tuition for eligible families based on income or other criteria, making private education more accessible.
Given Merritt Island's location on the Space Coast, do local private schools offer specialized science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs aligned with regional industries?
Yes, the private schools serving Merritt Island students leverage the area's aerospace and technology sector. Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy has a strong engineering track and advanced STEM curriculum, with partnerships and opportunities tied to the Kennedy Space Center and local tech firms. Covenant Christian School integrates technology and science from a Christian worldview, with programs that can include robotics and environmental science relevant to the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem. While not all have dedicated aerospace programs, the regional focus on STEM influences curriculum and extracurricular opportunities, including science fairs and competitions that draw on local expert judges from the Space Coast community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Merritt Island, Florida, and how important is it to apply early?
The enrollment process for schools like Covenant Christian, Holy Trinity, and Ascension Catholic typically begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year. Open houses are often held between October and February. Application deadlines can be as early as February or March, with rolling admissions thereafter until seats are filled. Due to limited capacity, especially in popular grade levels like kindergarten, middle school entry points, and high school freshman classes, applying early is strongly advised. Many schools require entrance assessments, student interviews, and submission of previous academic records. Sibling and legacy preferences are common, so Merritt Island families with existing connections should note those deadlines.
For a family moving to Merritt Island, what are the key considerations when choosing between the top-rated public schools (like Merritt Island High School) and the area's private school options?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific student needs. Merritt Island High School is a well-regarded public "A" rated school with strong academic and athletic programs, available at no direct tuition cost. Private options offer smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25-30+ in public), a specific religious or values-based foundation (if desired), and often more individualized attention. The private school application process allows for choice in school community, whereas public school assignment is by geographic zoning. For families seeking a consistent faith-based education from PreK through 12th grade, or who qualify for Florida scholarships making tuition comparable to other costs, private schools present a compelling alternative. The daily commute across the causeways to schools off-island is also a practical factor to weigh.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Prep Schools Near Merritt Island, FL: A Parent's Guide
As a parent in Merritt Island, beginning your search for “prep schools near me” can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You’re not just looking for a school; you’re seeking an educational community that will nurture your child’s academic, character, and spiritual development, all within a reasonable distance from our unique Space Coast community. The good news is that the area offers several distinguished private institutions, each with its own philosophy and strengths, providing families with meaningful choices right here in Brevard County.
When considering prep schools, it’s crucial to look beyond the basic curriculum to the environment and long-term outcomes. For many Merritt Island families, this includes evaluating a school’s ability to foster resilience, ethical leadership, and a strong sense of community—values that resonate deeply in our tight-knit, family-oriented area. A true preparatory school does more than prepare students for college; it prepares them for life, instilling the discipline and curiosity needed to thrive in any field, perhaps even in the aerospace and tech industries flourishing just across the bridges in Melbourne and Palm Bay.
Local options like Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, with its Melbourne campus a short drive away, offer a rigorous college-prep environment known for its strong academics and extensive extracurriculars, including robust arts and athletics programs. Closer to home, Covenant Christian School provides a Christ-centered education that integrates faith with learning, emphasizing a classical model that has appealed to many island families seeking a structured, values-based approach. For those desiring a Catholic education, Ascension Catholic Academy in Melbourne presents a Pre-K through 8th grade foundation focused on service, faith, and academic excellence, often serving as a feeder to strong area high schools. Visiting these campuses is essential. Pay attention to the student interactions, ask about average class sizes, and inquire about how the school leverages our local environment—whether through science programs connected to the Indian River Lagoon or partnerships with local organizations.
Remember, the “near me” in your search is about more than geography; it’s about cultural and logistical fit. Consider your daily commute across the causeways, especially during peak tourist or launch seasons at the Cape, which can affect travel time. Also, engage with other Merritt Island parents at local spots like the Kiwanis Island Park or the Merritt Square Mall. Their firsthand experiences with these schools can provide invaluable, ground-level insights that brochures and websites cannot. Ultimately, finding the right prep school is about aligning a school’s mission with your family’s values and your child’s unique needs, ensuring the journey from our island community to future success is both supported and inspiring.
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