The Best Private Schools in Ashland, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ashland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Lutheran High School
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Lutheran High School is a highly-regarded Christian private school serving central Illinois communities including Ashland. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. Features include modern facilities, competitive athletic teams, robust fine arts programs, and advanced STEM courses. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, ensuring personalized attention. Extracurricular activities include music, theater, and various clubs. The school is accredited by the National Lutheran School Accreditation and recognized for its strong college acceptance rates.
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Our Savior's Lutheran School
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
Our Savior's Lutheran School provides quality Christian education to students from preschool through 8th grade, serving families throughout central Illinois including Ashland. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring a comprehensive curriculum that includes core subjects, music, art, and physical education. The campus includes modern classrooms, technology labs, and recreational facilities. The school is known for its strong community involvement, dedicated faculty, and well-rounded educational approach that prepares students for high school success. Parent satisfaction is consistently high with praise for the nurturing environment and academic rigor.
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Springfield Christian School
Independent Christian School
Springfield Christian School serves families throughout central Illinois, including the Ashland area, with a comprehensive K-12 educational program grounded in Christian values. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with college preparatory courses, advanced placement options, and strong STEM programs. Facilities include science laboratories, technology centers, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement, with numerous extracurricular opportunities including competitive sports, music ensembles, and community service programs. Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International, the school maintains high academic standards and strong parent satisfaction ratings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ashland, Illinois
What are the private school options available for families residing in or near Ashland, Illinois?
Ashland, IL, is a small rural community, so local private school options are limited but include faith-based institutions. Within Ashland itself, Our Savior's Lutheran School offers a Pre-K through 8th-grade education. For high school, families often look to nearby Springfield. Popular choices include Lutheran High School (grades 9-12) and Springfield Christian School (Pre-K through 12), both approximately a 20-30 minute commute. There are no large, independent college-preparatory day schools within Ashland proper, so considering schools in the greater Springfield area is a common practice for Ashland residents.
How does tuition at private schools serving Ashland, IL, compare, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Our Savior's Lutheran School in Ashland typically has lower tuition due to its size and congregational support. Schools in Springfield, like Lutheran High School and Springfield Christian School, generally have higher tuition rates. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and importantly, Illinois has the Invest in Kids Act, which provides tax credit scholarships for eligible families to attend private schools. This state-specific program can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs, but availability is limited, so early application is crucial.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible from Ashland, IL, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools accessible to Ashland families often emphasize a faith-based education integrated into the core curriculum, which is their primary differentiator. Academically, they may offer smaller class sizes for more individualized attention. For extracurriculars, Lutheran High School in Springfield provides a full slate of IHSA athletic programs, fine arts, and clubs that can be comparable to a larger public school. Springfield Christian School offers a distinct K-12 continuity in a Christian environment. A key consideration for Ashland families is that these private programs may offer more specialized arts or theology courses, but may have fewer advanced STEM electives than a large public high school in a nearby district.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools that Ashland, IL, families consider?
The enrollment process for schools like Our Savior's Lutheran (Ashland), Lutheran High, and Springfield Christian typically begins in January or February for the following fall. It's highly recommended to start inquiries even earlier, especially for Springfield-based schools, as some grades fill quickly. The process usually involves an application form, submission of past academic records, a family interview, and often a placement assessment for the student. For Lutheran High School, which draws from a wide area, applying by their early spring deadline is essential. Siblings of current students and members of supporting churches often receive priority, so connecting with the admissions office well before the publicized deadline is key for Ashland residents.
For an Ashland, IL, family, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school in Springfield?
The decision hinges on several local factors. The Ashland public school district (Ashland CUSD #212) offers the convenience of a close-knit, community-based K-12 education with no commute. Choosing a private school in Springfield involves a daily commute of 20-45 minutes each way, which impacts family logistics and transportation costs. Academically, the public district provides a standard curriculum, while private options offer a specific religious worldview. Socially, an Ashland public student remains with local peers, whereas a private school student builds a network across the Springfield region. Financially, you must weigh public school taxes plus private tuition against the perceived value of the private education. Many Ashland families value the faith-based environment enough to accept the commute.
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