The Best Private Schools in Albany, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Albany. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School
Diocese of Davenport Catholic Schools
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School is a highly-regarded private institution serving the Albany area from nearby Davenport. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence within a faith-based environment. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, robust STEM programs, music and art instruction, and competitive athletics. The school maintains small class sizes for personalized attention and has consistently high parent satisfaction ratings for its community atmosphere and academic outcomes.
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Alleman High School
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
Alleman High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the Albany region from Rock Island. The school provides rigorous academic programs including numerous Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive fine arts offerings, and competitive athletic teams. With a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, Alleman features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development and community service while maintaining high college acceptance rates and strong parent-student satisfaction.
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Jordan Catholic School
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
Jordan Catholic School operates multiple campuses in the Quad Cities area, serving Albany families with comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade. The school offers a balanced curriculum that integrates technology throughout all grade levels, strong literacy and mathematics programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities including music, art, and athletics. With modern facilities and experienced educators, Jordan Catholic maintains a reputation for academic excellence and character formation. The school's extended care program and community-focused approach make it a popular choice for working families in the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Albany, Illinois
What are the main private school options available for families in Albany, Illinois, and what grade levels do they serve?
Albany, IL, is served by a small cluster of well-regarded private, primarily Catholic, schools. The top options include St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade), Jordan Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade, with campuses in nearby Rock Island), and Alleman High School (9th through 12th grade). It's important to note that while these schools serve the Albany community, some, like Alleman and Jordan, have their main campuses in neighboring Rock Island. This creates a close-knit educational pathway where students often feed from St. Paul's or Jordan into Alleman for a continuous private education.
How does tuition for private schools in the Albany, Illinois, area typically work, and are there financial aid options specific to Illinois?
Tuition for schools like St. Paul the Apostle, Alleman, and Jordan Catholic varies, often with lower rates for parish members. For the 2023-2024 year, elementary tuition can range from approximately $4,000 to $6,000 annually, while high school tuition at Alleman is higher, often exceeding $8,000. A key financial aid resource specific to Illinois is the "Invest in Kids Act" Tax Credit Scholarship Program. This state initiative provides need-based scholarships for private school tuition, and all the mentioned schools participate in or can guide families to this program. Additionally, many schools offer parish subsidies, multi-child discounts, and internal financial aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Albany, Illinois, region offer that leverage local resources?
Private schools in the Albany area leverage their proximity to the Quad Cities metropolitan area for unique programs. Alleman High School, for instance, has strong partnerships with local colleges and businesses for dual-credit courses and STEM initiatives. Given the region's heritage, many schools emphasize community service and local history. Furthermore, schools like Jordan Catholic and St. Paul the Apostle often have robust music and arts programs that participate in regional competitions and events in the Quad Cities. Their smaller class sizes also allow for specialized attention in core subjects, with a consistent integration of faith-based values across the curriculum.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Paul the Apostle or Alleman High School in Albany, IL?
The enrollment process for Albany-area private schools usually begins in January or February for the following academic year. St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School typically holds open houses for prospective families in the winter. For Alleman High School, 8th-grade students from feeder schools like St. Paul's undergo a placement exam and application process in the fall of their 8th-grade year. Key steps include submitting an application, providing sacramental and academic records, and often an interview or placement test. Early application is encouraged, especially for non-parishioners or for families seeking financial aid, as some aid programs have early spring deadlines.
How do private schools in Albany, Illinois, compare to the public school options in terms of community and educational environment?
In Albany, Illinois, the public school option is the United Community School District, which serves students from several small towns. The primary differences lie in scale, specialization, and mission. Private schools like St. Paul the Apostle offer a distinctly faith-based education with typically smaller class sizes, creating a tight-knit community feel. The private school pathway (e.g., St. Paul's to Alleman) provides continuity in values and a consistent peer group from kindergarten through 12th grade. Public schools in the United district offer a broader, secular curriculum and may have more extensive facilities due to public funding. The choice often comes down to a family's preference for a religious education and specific learning environment versus the comprehensive, tax-funded public system.