The Best Private Schools in Granville, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Granville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Bede Academy
Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria
St. Bede Academy is a prestigious Catholic college preparatory school serving the Granville area and surrounding communities. Founded by Benedictine monks, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 15 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and competitive athletics. The 135-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school emphasizes individual attention and character development. Over 98% of graduates attend four-year colleges and universities.
Programs:
St. Louis Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria
St. Louis Catholic School serves students from Granville and surrounding communities with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education. The school features a strong academic foundation with integrated technology, STEM enrichment programs, and comprehensive fine arts education. With deep roots in the community since 1864, the school maintains small class sizes and individualized instruction while emphasizing Catholic values and character development. The campus includes modern classrooms, science lab, library, and gymnasium facilities serving the educational needs of the region.
Programs:
Marquette Academy
Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Marquette Academy provides a comprehensive Catholic education serving students from Granville and the Illinois Valley region. The school offers a strong college preparatory curriculum with dual credit opportunities through Illinois Valley Community College. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a wide range of extracurricular activities including championship athletic programs, robotics team, and performing arts. The school maintains modern facilities and technology resources while emphasizing faith formation and community service.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Granville, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families in Granville, Illinois, and what grade levels do they serve?
Granville, IL, is served by a few key private institutions, primarily Catholic schools. St. Louis Catholic School in nearby Princeton offers a Pre-K through 8th-grade education. For high school, families typically look to St. Bede Academy in Peru (a short drive from Granville) for grades 9-12, or Marquette Academy in Ottawa, also serving grades 9-12. These schools draw from the Granville area and the broader Illinois Valley region. It's important for Granville parents to note that while elementary options are local, committing to a private high school education will involve a commute.
How does tuition for private schools in the Granville, Illinois, area typically work, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Louis Catholic School (K-8) has an active parishioner rate and a non-parishioner rate, while St. Bede Academy and Marquette Academy have set tuition fees for high school. Importantly, Illinois offers the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides need-based scholarships for students attending private schools. Eligibility and funding availability depend on household income and donations made to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). All the mentioned schools participate in this program, which can significantly reduce the net cost for qualifying Granville families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Granville, Illinois, offer that distinguish them?
The schools offer distinct programs rooted in their missions. **St. Bede Academy** is known for its strong college-prep curriculum, a renowned performing arts program, and competitive athletics in the Three Rivers Conference. **Marquette Academy** offers a dual-credit program through Illinois Valley Community College, allowing students to earn significant college credit. **St. Louis Catholic School** provides a foundational education with dedicated STEM initiatives and faith formation. A unique aspect for Granville students is the tight-knit, community-focused environment these schools foster, often with multi-generational families from the same rural towns in attendance.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Bede or Marquette Academy for a family moving to Granville?
The enrollment process for these schools often begins in the winter for the following fall. St. Bede Academy and Marquette Academy host open houses and shadow days (where a prospective student spends a day on campus) typically between October and February. Application deadlines are usually in early spring, but late applications are frequently accepted based on availability. For Granville families, a key step is arranging transportation, as neither high school provides district-wide bus service. Many families form carpools. It's highly recommended to contact the admissions office directly, as they are accustomed to working with families from smaller surrounding communities like Granville.
For a family in Granville, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school (Putnam County Elementary/High School) and a private school like St. Bede?
The decision involves several Granville-specific factors. **Logistics:** Public school is free and provides bus transportation within the district. Private school requires tuition, a daily commute to Peru or Ottawa (15-25 minutes), and arranging your own transportation. **Academics & Environment:** Putnam County public schools offer a solid rural education. St. Bede provides a faith-based environment, typically smaller class sizes, and a wider array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and niche extracurriculars (e.g., theater, specific sports). **Community:** Many Granville families value the deep, long-term community connections formed in the local public system, while others seek the regional network and college-prep focus of a private academy. Visiting both options is crucial.