The Best Private Schools in Augusta, Georgia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Augusta. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary Help of Christians School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
While located in nearby Aiken, South Carolina, St. Mary Help of Christians School serves families throughout the Augusta metropolitan region. Established in 1952, this Catholic school offers education from pre-K through 8th grade with a strong foundation in faith and academics. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and comprehensive programs including advanced mathematics, comprehensive literacy, and emerging STEAM curriculum. The school community is known for its family atmosphere and strong parent involvement, with graduates well-prepared for competitive high school programs throughout the Augusta area.
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Augusta Preparatory Day School
Independent
Augusta Preparatory Day School is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the Augusta metropolitan area. Established in 1960, the school offers a comprehensive educational program from pre-K through 12th grade. The school features small class sizes, rigorous academic curriculum with 20+ Advanced Placement courses, and a strong emphasis on character development. The 64-acre campus includes state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Aquinas High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
Aquinas High School is a Catholic college preparatory school serving the Augusta community since 1957. The school provides a faith-based education combined with rigorous academics, offering honors and advanced placement courses across all disciplines. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, a chapel, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes service learning and character development alongside academic excellence, with graduates consistently achieving high college acceptance rates. Extracurricular programs include competitive athletics, fine arts, and numerous student organizations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Augusta, Georgia
What are the main types of private schools available in Augusta, Georgia, and how do they differ in educational approach?
Augusta offers a diverse range of private schools, primarily categorized as independent college-preparatory schools, Catholic/parochial schools, and Christian academies. Augusta Preparatory Day School is a prominent independent, secular school offering a rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from Pre-K through 12th grade, with a strong emphasis on global education. Aquinas High School and St. Mary Help of Christians School are part of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah, providing a faith-based education integrated with a college-prep curriculum. Other options include smaller Christian academies that often use curricula like Abeka or ACE. This variety allows parents in Augusta to choose based on academic rigor, religious affiliation, and pedagogical philosophy.
How does tuition for private schools in Augusta, GA, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are commonly available?
Tuition in Augusta is generally competitive and often slightly below the average for major metropolitan areas in Georgia like Atlanta. For the 2024-2025 academic year, full-time tuition at leading schools like Augusta Prep ranges from approximately $15,000 to $22,000, while Catholic schools like Aquinas High are typically between $10,000 and $14,000. Most Augusta private schools offer need-based financial aid, and Georgia’s unique Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs) provide tax-credit scholarships for eligible families, which can be applied at participating private schools. Additionally, many schools offer sibling discounts and payment plans to help manage costs for local families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Augusta private schools offer that leverage the city's local resources?
Augusta's private schools often create distinctive programs connected to the city's identity. Given Augusta's prominence in healthcare (home to the Medical College of Georgia) and the military (Fort Gordon), schools like Augusta Prep have developed strong STEM partnerships and robotics programs. Many schools, including Aquinas, emphasize golf and tennis programs, capitalizing on Augusta's status as the home of the Masters Tournament. Furthermore, schools frequently integrate local history and ecology into their curricula, with field trips to the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area or the Savannah River. Some also offer unique language programs or engineering tracks that align with local industry needs.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in Augusta, such as Augusta Preparatory Day School?
The enrollment process for top Augusta private schools begins early, often in the fall prior to the desired academic year. For schools like Augusta Prep, the key steps include: 1) Attending an open house (typically held September-November), 2) Submitting an application by January or February for the following fall, 3) Completing a student assessment or shadow day, and 4) For older students, providing transcripts and teacher recommendations. Admissions decisions are usually communicated in March. It's crucial for Augusta parents to plan ahead, as spaces, particularly in early grades and competitive high school entry points, can fill quickly. Many schools also have rolling admissions for later grades if space permits.
For families considering both sectors, what are the key differences between the Richmond County public school system and private schools in Augusta, GA?
The primary differences lie in class size, curriculum flexibility, and resource allocation. Richmond County public schools are large and diverse, offering specialized magnet programs but with average class sizes often above 20 students. Augusta private schools typically maintain student-teacher ratios of 10:1 or lower, allowing for more individualized attention. Academically, private schools like Augusta Prep offer the IB Diploma, while public schools follow the Georgia Standards of Excellence. Extracurricular opportunities can differ significantly; private schools may have more consistent arts and sports funding, while large public high schools might offer a wider variety of niche sports or vocational tracks. Finally, private schools require tuition and have selective admissions, whereas public schools are tuition-free and zoned, which is a major financial and logistical consideration for Augusta families.
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