The Best Private Schools in Bismarck, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Bismarck. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The High School of Saint Thomas More
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
The High School of Saint Thomas More is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Bismarck and throughout East Central Illinois. Established in 1976, the school has earned a reputation for academic excellence with a comprehensive AP program, STEM academy, and dual credit opportunities with local colleges. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. Saint Thomas More consistently achieves high college acceptance rates and maintains strong parent satisfaction through its commitment to individualized attention and character development.
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Schlarman Academy
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Schools
Schlarman Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Bismarck and broader Vermilion County area. Founded in 1928, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through high school with a strong college preparatory focus. The academy features modern facilities, small class sizes, and a rigorous academic program complemented by robust extracurricular activities including competitive athletics, fine arts, and community service programs. With nearly a century of educational excellence, Schlarman maintains high academic standards while emphasizing character development and faith formation.
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Judah Christian School
Independent Christian School
Judah Christian School is a respected interdenominational Christian school serving families from Bismarck and the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area. Founded in 1977, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through high school with a strong emphasis on academic excellence integrated with Christian values. The curriculum includes advanced college preparatory courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. The school features modern classroom facilities, science laboratories, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. Judah Christian maintains small class sizes and high teacher-student ratios, ensuring personalized attention and strong academic outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Bismarck, Illinois
What are the private school options for families living in or near Bismarck, Illinois?
Bismarck itself is a small village, so most private school options are located in nearby communities. The closest and most prominent are Schlarman Academy in Danville (a PreK-12 Catholic school), The High School of Saint Thomas More in Champaign (a Catholic high school), and Judah Christian School in Champaign (a PreK-12 interdenominational Christian school). Families in Bismarck typically commute 20-45 minutes to these schools. There are no private schools physically located within the Bismarck village limits, so transportation planning is a key consideration for parents.
How does Illinois' Tax Credit Scholarship Program impact tuition affordability for Bismarck-area private schools?
Illinois' Invest in Kids Act offers tax credit scholarships for eligible families, which can significantly reduce the cost of tuition at qualified private schools like Schlarman Academy, Saint Thomas More, and Judah Christian School. Eligibility is based on household income (up to 300% of the federal poverty level). For a Bismarck family, applying for this scholarship is a crucial first financial step. It's important to apply early, as funds are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Each school's financial aid office can guide you through the process, which is separate from the school's own tuition assistance.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Bismarck students offer?
Schools in the region offer specialized programs that may not be available in smaller public districts. Schlarman Academy emphasizes its STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math) curriculum and strong college-prep tradition. The High School of Saint Thomas More is known for its robust academic honors programs, competitive athletics in the Illini Prairie Conference, and a wide array of clubs. Judah Christian School offers a distinct biblical worldview integration across all subjects and a strong fine arts program. For Bismarck students, these programs provide opportunities akin to those in larger metropolitan areas, albeit with a commute.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Schlarman Academy that serve the Bismarck community?
Enrollment timelines for these schools often begin almost a year in advance. For example, Schlarman Academy typically opens applications for the following academic year in the fall (October-November), with priority deadlines in early winter. The process usually includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and often an entrance assessment for certain grades. Given the limited seats and the number of communities they draw from, it is highly advisable for Bismarck families to initiate inquiries by the start of the child's prior academic year to ensure consideration and complete necessary financial aid paperwork.
How do the class sizes and community environment of private schools near Bismarck compare to the local public school district?
Bismarck students attend the Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin (BHRA) Cooperative public school district, which offers a small, close-knit community. The private school alternatives provide even smaller average class sizes—often 15-20 students versus potentially 25+ in public middle/high school grades. This allows for more individualized attention. The community environment differs in its foundational mission; schools like Schlarman and Saint Thomas More foster a faith-based community with required theology classes, while Judah Christian has an interdenominational focus. The trade-off for Bismarck families is the daily commute to access this specific type of educational environment and smaller cohorts.