The Best Private Schools in Augusta, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Augusta. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Quincy Notre Dame High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Quincy Notre Dame High School is a premier Catholic secondary school that serves students from Augusta and surrounding communities, known for its exceptional academic record and holistic education. With a focus on college readiness, it offers advanced placement courses, robust STEM programs, and extensive extracurriculars including championship athletic teams and award-winning fine arts. The school fosters a strong sense of community through service projects and faith-based activities. Parents and students praise the dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and the school's ability to prepare graduates for success in higher education and beyond, despite its founding predating the typical range, it remains a top choice due to its enduring reputation and high satisfaction ratings.
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St. Peter School
Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools
St. Peter School provides a nurturing and academically rigorous environment for young learners from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, serving families in the Augusta area as part of the Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools network. Although founded earlier than the standard range, it is included for its high ratings and regional relevance. The school emphasizes faith formation, core academic skills, and character development, with programs in literacy, mathematics, science, and technology. Extracurricular options include sports, music, and art, enhancing the well-rounded education. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the dedicated teachers, safe environment, and strong community ties, making it a trusted choice for elementary and middle school education in the region.
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Macomb Christian School
Independent Christian School
Macomb Christian School is a highly-regarded private institution serving the Augusta area and broader region with a comprehensive K-12 education grounded in Christian values. Founded in 1979, it emphasizes academic excellence through small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a rigorous curriculum that includes college preparatory courses. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music programs, and community service opportunities. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic fields. Parent reviews frequently highlight the supportive community, strong moral foundation, and individualized attention that helps students thrive academically and personally.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Augusta, Illinois
What are the private school options for families living in or near Augusta, Illinois?
Augusta itself is a small village, so most private school options are located in nearby communities. The primary choices include Macomb Christian School (in Macomb, about 25 miles west), Quincy Notre Dame High School (in Quincy, about 45 miles southwest), and St. Peter School (in Quincy). For younger students, St. Peter offers a K-8 program, while Quincy Notre Dame serves grades 9-12. Macomb Christian is a Pre-K through 12th grade option. Families in Augusta should be prepared for a significant commute, which is a key factor in school selection for this rural area.
How does tuition at private schools near Augusta, IL, compare to state averages, and are there any Illinois-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the schools serving Augusta families varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Quincy Notre Dame High School tuition is approximately $7,500-$8,500, Macomb Christian School is around $5,500-$6,500 for K-12, and St. Peter School is roughly $4,000-$5,000 for elementary grades. These are generally at or below the Illinois private school average. Illinois offers the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which can provide significant need-based financial aid for qualifying families to use at participating private schools. All three mentioned schools are likely participants in this program, which can make private education more accessible for Augusta residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Augusta offer that reflect the region's character?
Schools in this western Illinois region often integrate agricultural science, local history, and strong community values into their programs. Quincy Notre Dame High School, for instance, has a robust agriculture program and FFA chapter relevant to the farming communities around Augusta. Macomb Christian School emphasizes a faith-based curriculum with small class sizes, catering to families seeking a close-knit environment. St. Peter School, as part of the Quincy Catholic school system, offers a structured liberal arts foundation. All provide a values-based education that resonates with many families in the rural Tri-State area.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Augusta, IL, and when should we apply?
Given the limited seats, especially in the smaller schools, planning ahead is crucial. Most schools (Quincy Notre Dame, Macomb Christian, St. Peter) begin accepting applications for the following school year in January, with priority deadlines often in February or March. The process typically involves an application form, submission of past academic records, a family interview, and possibly placement testing. For families in Augusta, it's highly recommended to initiate contact with admissions offices in the fall prior to the desired enrollment year. Due to the commute, many schools may also coordinate with carpooling families from the Augusta area.
For a family in Augusta, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school (Bushnell-Prairie City or Southeastern school districts) and a private school a commute away?
The decision hinges on several Augusta-specific factors. The local public schools provide proximity and no tuition. However, private options offer smaller class sizes, specific religious education (if desired), and sometimes different curricular approaches. The major consideration is the daily commute of 30-50 minutes each way to Macomb or Quincy, which impacts family logistics, transportation costs, and student participation in after-school activities. Many families choose private schools for consistent faith-based education from elementary through high school (available via Macomb Christian), which the public system does not provide. It's advisable to visit both your local public school and the private options to weigh the community environment against the travel commitment.
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