The Best Private Schools in Evans, Georgia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Evans. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Augusta Preparatory Day School
Independent School
Augusta Preparatory Day School is a highly-regarded independent school serving the Evans area with a comprehensive college preparatory program. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with small class sizes, advanced placement courses, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development and community service while maintaining strong college placement records.
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Westminster Schools of Augusta
Christian School
Westminster Schools of Augusta provides a classical Christian education to students in the Evans metropolitan area. The school combines academic excellence with spiritual formation through a comprehensive curriculum that includes logic, rhetoric, and advanced mathematics. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. Westminster emphasizes developing well-rounded students through competitive athletics, fine arts programs, and community outreach initiatives.
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St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Savannah
St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School serves families throughout the Evans area with a faith-based education that emphasizes academic excellence and moral development. The school offers a strong core curriculum enhanced by technology integration, foreign language instruction from early grades, and comprehensive arts programs. The campus includes modern classrooms, a chapel, library, and playground facilities. The school maintains small class sizes and focuses on developing students' spiritual, intellectual, and social growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Evans, Georgia
What are the primary private school options serving families in Evans, Georgia, and are they located directly in Evans?
While Evans itself has a limited number of standalone private schools, it is part of the broader Augusta metropolitan area and is primarily served by several highly-regarded institutions in neighboring communities. The top schools Evans families consider include Augusta Preparatory Day School (in Martinez, just minutes away), Westminster Schools of Augusta (in Augusta), and St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School (in Augusta). Many Evans residents also look at schools in Columbia County and across the river in South Carolina. Transportation and carpooling are common considerations for Evans parents.
How does tuition for private schools in the Evans, GA area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Evans/Augusta area varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Augusta Prep's tuition ranges from approximately $20,000 for lower school to $24,000 for upper school. Westminster Schools of Augusta and St. Mary on the Hill are generally in a similar range, with St. Mary's being slightly lower as a parish-supported school. These figures are competitive with or slightly below the average for top-tier Georgia private schools in major metros like Atlanta. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and some have merit scholarship programs. Georgia also offers the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, a state-tax-credit scholarship that provides needs-based assistance to students attending participating private schools, which includes several in this region.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Evans, GA, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Evans area often provide specialized programs not universally available in the public system. Augusta Prep, for instance, offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, a globally recognized curriculum. Westminster Schools of Augusta has a strong emphasis on college preparatory academics and extensive arts and athletics facilities. St. Mary on the Hill provides a faith-based education integrated with rigorous academics. Common differentiators include smaller class sizes (often 15-18 students), more individualized attention, and distinctive offerings like robotics teams, extensive language programs starting in elementary school, and unique travel or internship opportunities tied to the Augusta community, such as those in healthcare or cybersecurity.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Augusta Prep or Westminster that serve Evans, GA families?
The enrollment process for competitive private schools in the Evans area is similar and begins early. Most schools open applications in August or September for the following academic year. Key steps include: 1) Attending an open house or tour (fall), 2) Submitting an application with fees (often by January or February), 3) Student assessment/testing and/or classroom visit, 4) Submission of teacher recommendations and records, and 5) Family interviews. Admission decisions are typically communicated in March, with enrollment contracts due shortly after. For the most sought-after grades like kindergarten, 6th, and 9th, starting the process a full year in advance is strongly advised. Sibling and legacy applicants often receive priority.
For families living in Evans, what are the key considerations when choosing between the highly-rated Columbia County public schools and the area's private schools?
Evans is within the Columbia County School District, which is consistently ranked among the top public districts in Georgia. The decision often hinges on specific family values and needs. Key considerations include: **Educational Approach:** Public schools offer a standardized curriculum, while private schools offer mission-driven education (e.g., college-prep, IB, faith-based). **Class Size:** Columbia County schools can have classes of 25+, while private schools maintain smaller ratios. **Cost:** Public schools are free, whereas private tuition is a significant investment. **Extracurricular Focus:** Public schools may have larger, more competitive athletic programs, while private schools might offer more niche arts or academic clubs. **Convenience:** Most Evans public schools are very close to home, while private options require a commute to Martinez or Augusta. Many families in Evans weigh the strength of the local public schools against the specific programs and environment a private school offers.
Private Education Insights
Find the Best Private Catholic Schools in Evans, GA for Your Child
For families in Evans, Georgia, the search for the right educational environment often leads to exploring private school options, including the specific query for "private catholic schools near me." This reflects a desire for an education that aligns with strong moral values, academic rigor, and a tight-knit community, all of which are hallmarks of Catholic education. In the Evans and greater Augusta area, this search is met with a notable option that serves as a cornerstone for many local families. St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School, located just across the river in Augusta, is a prominent K-8 institution that has been integral to the community for decades. While Evans itself is home to several excellent private schools like the non-denominational Augusta Preparatory Day School and Westminster Schools of Augusta, St. Mary’s provides a distinct faith-based pathway that draws families from Columbia County seeking a structured, values-centered education.
Understanding the local context is key. Evans is a thriving, family-oriented suburb where education is a top priority. The decision to look for private catholic schools near me often stems from a wish for smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and a curriculum that seamlessly integrates faith, reason, and service. At a school like St. Mary’s, this manifests in a strong academic foundation paired with sacramental preparation and community outreach projects. For Evans parents, this means your child benefits from a consistent ethical framework throughout the school day, an aspect that can be particularly appealing in today’s complex world. The commute from Evans to Augusta’s Hill area is a common one for many families, considered a worthwhile investment for the specific educational environment a Catholic school provides.
When researching, it’s beneficial to look at the full educational journey. A primary consideration for Evans families exploring private catholic schools near me is the transition after eighth grade. St. Mary on the Hill feeds naturally into Aquinas High School, also in Augusta, which offers a continued Catholic college-preparatory experience. This creates a seamless, 13-year educational arc from kindergarten through high school graduation. Comparing this pathway to the excellent K-12 continuity offered by Augusta Prep and Westminster is an important part of the decision matrix. Each model has its strengths; the Catholic school path emphasizes a specific faith tradition and moral philosophy as the consistent core of its education.
Ultimately, the search for private catholic schools near me in Evans, GA, is about finding the right fit for your family’s values and your child’s needs. We encourage parents to schedule visits, not just to St. Mary on the Hill, but also to the other outstanding private schools in the area. Sit in on a class, talk to teachers and administrators, and feel the community atmosphere. Ask specific questions about curriculum, spiritual life, extracurricular activities, and how the school fosters character development. Evans is fortunate to have access to a range of exceptional private educational institutions, each offering a unique approach to nurturing young minds and preparing them for a successful future. Taking the time to explore these options thoroughly is the best way to ensure you find a school where your child will truly thrive.