The Best Private Schools in Grafton, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Grafton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Christ Our Savior Lutheran School
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Christ Our Savior Lutheran School provides a comprehensive private education for students in pre-K through 8th grade, serving families in the Grafton region. The school is known for its strong academic foundation rooted in Christian values, with a curriculum that includes literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies enhanced by technology integration. Facilities include smart classrooms, a library, music room, and playgrounds. Extracurricular activities encompass choir, band, sports, and academic clubs. Parents praise the school for its nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and high parent involvement, leading to consistent student success and a close-knit community feel. It is accredited by the National Lutheran School Accreditation.
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Metro East Lutheran High School
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Metro East Lutheran High School is a highly regarded private Christian school serving the Grafton area with a strong academic reputation. It offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum enhanced by Advanced Placement (AP) courses, robust STEM programs, and dedicated fine arts including music, theater, and visual arts. The school features modern facilities such as science labs, a performing arts center, and athletic fields. Extracurriculars include competitive sports, clubs, and community service opportunities. Parent satisfaction is high due to small class sizes, individualized attention, and a supportive faith-based environment. The school is accredited by the National Lutheran School Accreditation and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence.
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Alton Christian School
Independent Christian School
Alton Christian School is a respected private institution offering kindergarten through 8th-grade education to the Grafton area. It emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based framework, featuring a curriculum that integrates biblical principles with core subjects like language arts, math, and science. The school provides enrichment programs in music, art, and physical education, along with after-school activities and field trips. Facilities include well-equipped classrooms, a computer lab, and outdoor play areas. High parent satisfaction stems from its family-oriented atmosphere, experienced faculty, and focus on moral and character development. The school fosters a supportive learning environment that prepares students for future academic challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Grafton, Illinois
What are the private school options for families living in Grafton, Illinois, and do we need to commute to neighboring towns?
Grafton itself is a small river town with limited on-site private school facilities. Most families in Grafton looking for private education commute to schools in nearby communities. The primary options include **Metro East Lutheran High School** in Edwardsville (grades 9-12), **Christ Our Savior Lutheran School** in Evansville, IL (Pre-K through 8th grade), and **Alton Christian School** in Alton (Pre-K through 12th grade). The commute to these schools typically ranges from 20 to 40 minutes. This regional approach is common for Jersey and Calhoun County residents, so transportation planning is a key consideration for Grafton parents.
How does tuition at private schools serving Grafton, IL, compare, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, approximate ranges are: Alton Christian School (K-12) from $5,500-$7,000, Christ Our Savior Lutheran School (K-8) around $5,000-$6,000, and Metro East Lutheran High School near $9,500-$10,500. Importantly, Illinois offers the **Invest in Kids Act** tax credit scholarship program, which can provide significant need-based tuition assistance for qualifying families at participating schools. Additionally, many schools offer parishioner discounts, multi-child discounts, and their own financial aid. It's crucial to inquire directly about both state and institutional aid when exploring these options.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Grafton area offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools in this region often incorporate the unique Mississippi River and local history into their curricula. For instance, **Metro East Lutheran High School** offers robust college-prep and dual-credit courses through local colleges. **Alton Christian School** emphasizes a biblical worldview integrated across subjects, which can include studies on local ecology and stewardship. Given Grafton's tourism and agricultural base, some schools offer agri-science or small business fundamentals. Extracurriculars often include competitive sports leagues within the Metro East Lutheran Conference and music programs that may participate in events in historic nearby towns like Alton.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools that Grafton residents attend?
Enrollment timelines for schools like Alton Christian, Christ Our Savior Lutheran, and Metro East Lutheran High generally begin in January or February for the following fall. Priority is often given to re-enrolling students and siblings, so Grafton families are advised to initiate inquiries by early winter. The process typically involves an application, submission of past academic records, a family interview, and often a placement assessment. For high school, shadow days are highly recommended. Due to the commuting factor, many schools are accustomed to working with families from smaller towns like Grafton and can provide references from current families in your area.
How do class sizes and community environment in private schools near Grafton compare to the local public school districts?
Private schools serving Grafton, such as those listed, typically offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students) compared to larger public school districts in Jersey or Calhoun counties. This fosters a close-knit community environment with strong teacher-student relationships. The trade-off is a narrower range of elective courses and specialized sports compared to a comprehensive public high school. The private school community is often faith-based, which is a defining difference from public schools. For Grafton families, the choice often centers on seeking a specific religious foundation and personalized attention versus the broader resources and potentially shorter commute of their designated public school.
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