The Best Private Schools in Waverly, Georgia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Waverly. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Frederica Academy
Independent College Preparatory School
Frederica Academy is a premier independent school serving students from throughout coastal Georgia, including Waverly. The school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, providing exceptional college preparation. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology labs, performing arts center, athletic complex, and extensive library resources. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1. Extracurricular programs include competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, and numerous clubs. The school is accredited by SAIS and has a strong track record of college placements at top universities.
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Camden Christian School
Independent Christian School
Camden Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving the greater Camden County area, including Waverly. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. Students benefit from strong STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts opportunities. The school maintains high academic standards with Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment options. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic fields, and performance spaces. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and strong community values.
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St. Marys Catholic School
Diocese of Savannah
St. Marys Catholic School provides exceptional private education to students throughout Camden County, including Waverly families. The school combines rigorous academics with strong moral and spiritual formation. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, and hands-on science programs. Technology integration is a key focus with 1:1 device programs and digital learning resources. The school emphasizes service learning and community involvement. Facilities feature modern classrooms, a dedicated chapel, computer labs, and playground areas. The school is known for its dedicated faculty and strong parent-teacher partnerships.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Waverly, Georgia
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Waverly, Georgia?
While Waverly itself is a small, unincorporated community, families in the area have access to several well-regarded private schools in nearby Camden County and St. Marys. The top options include Camden Christian School in Kingsland, which offers a K-12 education with a Christian worldview; St. Marys Catholic School in St. Marys, providing a Pre-K through 8th-grade education; and Frederica Academy on St. Simons Island, a college-preparatory day school for grades PK-12. For Waverly residents, commuting to these schools is common, with drive times typically ranging from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the specific location.
How does the tuition for private schools near Waverly, GA, compare to state averages, and are there any Georgia-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for private schools in the Waverly area varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Camden Christian School's tuition is approximately $6,000-$8,000, St. Marys Catholic School is around $7,000-$9,000, and Frederica Academy is notably higher, often exceeding $20,000. These figures are generally in line with or slightly below Georgia's private school averages, excluding major metro areas like Atlanta. Georgia offers the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, a tax-credit scholarship that provides need-based financial aid to students attending participating private schools. Both Camden Christian and Frederica Academy are GOAL participating schools, which can be a crucial financial resource for eligible Waverly families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving the Waverly, Georgia community?
Schools in this coastal Georgia region often leverage their unique environment. Frederica Academy, for instance, has a strong marine science program and competitive sailing team, capitalizing on its location near the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Camden Christian School emphasizes agricultural science and hands-on learning, which resonates with the rural character of Camden County. St. Marys Catholic School integrates its proximity to historical sites like the Cumberland Island National Seashore into its social studies and science curricula. Additionally, given the strong military presence from nearby Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, all these schools have experience supporting military families with flexible programs.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Waverly, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for schools like Camden Christian, St. Marys Catholic, and Frederica Academy usually begins in January or February for the following fall semester. It's highly recommended for Waverly families to begin inquiries by early winter. The process typically involves an application, submission of past academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and often a student assessment or shadow day. Due to the limited number of private school seats in Camden County, popular grades at these schools can have waitlists, especially at the kindergarten and early elementary levels. Frederica Academy, being a regional draw, often has the most competitive admissions. Early application is strongly advised.
For a family in Waverly, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Camden County schools) and a private school?
The decision hinges on several factors specific to the Waverly area. Camden County public schools are larger, offer extensive athletic programs, and have no tuition. Private options offer smaller class sizes, distinct religious or value-based education (if desired), and often more individualized attention. A major practical consideration is commute: public school transportation is provided within Waverly, while attending a private school requires a daily family commute to Kingsland, St. Marys, or St. Simons Island. Furthermore, if a family seeks a specific curricular focus like intensive college prep (Frederica) or a faith-integrated environment (Camden Christian, St. Marys Catholic), private schools fill that niche. The stability of the private school community can also be appealing for families connected to the fluctuating population of Kings Bay Naval Base.
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