The Best Private Schools in Andover, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Andover. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Seton Catholic School
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
Seton Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the Quad Cities region, including Andover area families. The school offers comprehensive education from Pre-K through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence integrated with Catholic values. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, robust STEM curriculum, music and art programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school maintains small class sizes for personalized attention and has consistently high parent satisfaction ratings for its nurturing environment and strong community involvement.
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Alleman High School
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
Alleman High School is a prestigious Catholic college preparatory school serving the greater Quad Cities area, including Andover students. With a rich history spanning over eight decades, Alleman offers rigorous academic programs including multiple AP courses, comprehensive fine arts education, and competitive athletic programs. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and modern athletic complex. Known for its strong community values and high college acceptance rates, Alleman maintains a reputation for developing well-rounded students with exceptional character and academic preparation.
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Assumption High School
Diocese of Davenport Catholic Schools
Assumption High School is a highly-rated Catholic college preparatory school serving students from both Iowa and Illinois, including the Andover area. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with specialized academies in STEM, business, and humanities, along with extensive Advanced Placement opportunities. Facilities include modern science and technology labs, performing arts theater, and comprehensive athletic facilities. Assumption is recognized for its strong academic performance, with graduates consistently attending top-tier universities. The school's diverse extracurricular programs and commitment to faith-based education make it a popular choice for families seeking rigorous academics in a values-based environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Andover, Illinois
What are the private school options for K-12 education in Andover, Illinois, and how do they differ?
In Andover, Illinois, and the surrounding Henry County area, private school options are primarily Catholic institutions. Seton Catholic School in nearby Moline serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade, providing a continuous elementary and middle school experience. For high school, families typically look to Alleman High School in Rock Island or Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa, both of which are Catholic, college-preparatory schools. The key difference is that Seton provides the foundational years, while Alleman and Assumption are the traditional feeder high schools. There are no non-religious private day schools within Andover itself, so commuting to the Quad Cities area is a standard expectation for Andover families seeking private education.
What is the typical tuition range for private schools serving Andover, IL, families, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the private schools accessible to Andover residents varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Seton Catholic School's tuition is approximately $5,000-$6,000 for parishioners. Alleman High School tuition is around $10,000-$11,000, and Assumption High School is similar. A critical financial consideration for Illinois residents is the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**. This state program provides need-based scholarships funded by donations from individuals and businesses who receive a state tax credit. Families must apply through a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO), like the Empower Illinois SGO, which works with these schools. This can significantly reduce the net cost for eligible families.
How do the academic and extracurricular programs at Alleman and Assumption High Schools compare for an Andover student?
Both Alleman (IL) and Assumption (IA) offer robust college-prep curricula, but there are distinctions relevant to an Andover student. Alleman, as an Illinois school, aligns its core requirements and state testing with IL standards, which may provide continuity if a student attended an Illinois elementary school like Seton. Assumption, in Iowa, follows Iowa standards. Extracurricularly, Alleman competes in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), while Assumption competes in the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSSA). For a student in Andover, commute times are comparable. Assumption has a renowned STEM program and a larger campus, while Alleman offers a classic, tight-knit community feel. Visiting both is essential to gauge the best fit.
What is the enrollment process and timeline for Seton Catholic School, a primary feeder for Andover-area families?
The enrollment process for Seton Catholic School typically begins in January for the following fall. The first step is to schedule a tour and meet with the principal. Application packets are available online or at the school office. Priority is often given to active parishioners of supporting Catholic parishes, siblings of current students, and then new families. Required documents usually include birth and baptismal certificates, immunization records, and previous school records. A placement assessment may be required for certain grades. Given the limited seats, especially in early grades, Andover families are advised to initiate contact early in the calendar year to secure a spot and complete the financial aid application process concurrently if needed.
For a family in rural Andover, what are the transportation logistics and community considerations for attending these private schools?
Transportation is a key logistical factor for Andover families, as the schools are located 20-30 minutes away in the Quad Cities. None of these private schools provide district-style busing from Andover. Families must arrange for private carpooling, which often organically develops within the school communities, or personally drive their children. This daily commute is a significant time commitment. Community-wise, these schools create strong regional networks. Your child will build friendships across the Quad Cities area, not just in Andover. This can be a benefit for broader social connections but may require more effort to facilitate local playdates. Many families find the tight-knit, values-based community worth the travel.
Private Education Insights
Choosing the Best Private Middle School in Andover, Illinois: A Parent's Guide
For parents in Andover, Illinois, navigating the educational journey means considering the pivotal transition to middle school. This period is more than just a step between elementary and high school; it’s a foundational time for developing critical thinking, personal responsibility, and core values. In our tight-knit community, the choice of a private middle school offers a unique pathway tailored to these crucial years, blending academic rigor with the character development that many local families deeply value. While Andover itself is a smaller village, families here benefit from proximity to several established private institutions in the greater Quad Cities region, each offering distinct approaches to the middle school experience.
Understanding the local landscape is key. While Andover does not host a standalone private middle school within its village limits, excellent options are just a short commute away, serving the broader Henry County and Rock Island County area. For instance, Seton Catholic School in nearby Moline provides a continuous, faith-based education from preschool through eighth grade, making it a seamless choice for families seeking a consistent environment through the middle school years. This continuity can be especially comforting during a time of significant change for students. Meanwhile, institutions like Alleman High School in Rock Island and Assumption High School in Davenport, though known as premier private high schools, are part of a larger educational ecosystem. Their presence underscores the importance of a strong middle school foundation that prepares students for the advanced college-preparatory curricula these high schools offer.
Choosing a private middle school in this area often centers on specific community values. Many Andover families appreciate the close connection between academic learning and moral development. In a private setting, middle schoolers can explore subjects in greater depth within smaller class sizes, allowing teachers to provide individualized attention that addresses both strengths and challenges. This is particularly valuable in core subjects like mathematics and language arts, where middle school mastery is essential. Furthermore, the sense of community within these schools often extends beyond the classroom, with families from Andover, Cambridge, and other local towns forming supportive networks. This can make the logistical aspect of commuting to a school in Moline or Rock Island feel less like a distance and more like an extension of your own community.
When researching options, we encourage Andover parents to look beyond the immediate geography and consider the philosophical fit. Visit the schools, talk to administrators about their middle school philosophy, and ask how they handle the social and emotional dynamics specific to early adolescence. Inquire about extracurricular offerings, from athletics to STEM clubs, and how they might connect to future opportunities at the high school level. The investment in a private middle school education in our region is an investment in a structured, values-oriented environment during a formative time. It’s about providing your child with the tools not just for academic success at a school like Alleman or Assumption, but for becoming a confident, responsible, and engaged individual—a outcome that resonates deeply within the fabric of our Andover community.
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