The Best Private Schools in Kansas, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kansas. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Next Generation School
Independent Private School
Next Generation School is a top-rated private school known for its innovative, STEM-focused education serving the Kansas area and beyond. It offers programs from preschool through middle school, emphasizing hands-on learning, critical thinking, and advanced academics in a nurturing environment. The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including science labs and technology resources, and provides diverse enrichment opportunities in robotics, arts, and athletics. Parents highlight its dedicated staff, high academic standards, and ability to prepare students for future challenges, resulting in excellent satisfaction ratings.
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Judah Christian School
Independent Christian School
Judah Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian institution serving central Illinois, including the Kansas area, with a comprehensive K-12 education. It emphasizes academic excellence through a rigorous curriculum that includes Advanced Placement courses, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty. The school fosters character development and spiritual growth within a supportive community, offering robust extracurricular programs in athletics, fine arts, and service projects. Parents consistently praise its safe environment and strong college preparation, with many graduates attending top universities.
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Decatur Christian School
Independent Christian School
Decatur Christian School provides a well-rounded private education for students in pre-K through 12th grade, serving families in Kansas and surrounding regions. Founded on Christian values, it offers a strong academic program with a focus on college and career readiness, including STEM initiatives and arts integration. The school features modern facilities, experienced teachers, and a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs. High parent satisfaction stems from its personalized attention, community involvement, and consistent track record of student success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kansas, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families in Kansas, Illinois, and what are their educational approaches?
In Kansas, Illinois, families have a few key private school options, each with distinct approaches. **Judah Christian School** in Champaign (serving the broader region, including Kansas) offers a comprehensive PreK-12 Christian education with a college-prep focus. **Decatur Christian School** in Decatur provides a smaller, faith-based environment for grades PreK-12. For families seeking a secular option, **Next Generation School** in Champaign offers a progressive, project-based curriculum from preschool through middle school, with a strong emphasis on STEM and the arts. Given Kansas's small size, most families in the area consider schools in nearby regional hubs like Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, or even Terre Haute, IN, for private education, making transportation an important local consideration.
How does tuition at private schools serving Kansas, Illinois, compare, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and grade level. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $6,000 to $12,000 annually for the schools mentioned. Judah Christian and Decatur Christian typically have lower tuition due to church subsidies, while Next Generation School, as a secular independent school, often commands a higher rate. Illinois-specific aid includes the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides need-based scholarships funded by donations from individuals and businesses who receive a state tax credit. While this program is currently being phased out, existing scholarships are being honored, and families should inquire directly with schools about remaining opportunities and other institutional aid or payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Kansas, IL, residents?
Schools in the region offer specialized programs to attract students from smaller towns like Kansas. **Judah Christian School** often features strong athletics and fine arts programs, along with dual-credit courses through local colleges. **Decatur Christian School** emphasizes character development and may offer smaller, personalized learning tracks. **Next Generation School** is notable for its advanced STEM labs, robotics programs, and Spanish language immersion starting in preschool—a rarity in the area. For Kansas families, these specialized offerings can provide opportunities that might not be available in the local public district, but they come with the trade-off of a longer daily commute to Champaign or Decatur.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Kansas, Illinois, area?
The enrollment process for schools like Judah Christian, Decatur Christian, and Next Generation School generally begins in January or February for the following fall. Key steps include: 1) Attending an open house or scheduling a tour (highly recommended for families commuting from Kansas), 2) Submitting an application by March-April for priority consideration, 3) Providing academic records and teacher recommendations, and 4) For faith-based schools, possibly participating in a family interview. Rolling admissions may continue if spaces remain. Given Kansas's location, it's crucial to apply early and discuss transportation logistics (carpools, bus availability from nearby towns) as part of the enrollment conversation, as most schools do not provide direct transportation from Kansas.
For a family in Kansas, IL, what are the main factors when comparing local public schools to private options in Decatur or Champaign?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Kansas Community Unit School District #3** offers the convenience of a very short commute and no tuition. However, families seeking a specific religious foundation, smaller class sizes, or specialized academic programs (like STEM immersion) may look to private schools in Decatur (a ~30-minute drive) or Champaign (a ~45-minute drive). The trade-off involves significant daily commuting time and cost. Additionally, the social and extracurricular environment differs; private schools offer a defined community often drawn from a wider geographic area, which can benefit a student from a small town but may require more effort to build local friendships. Evaluating the family's commitment to the commute and the alignment of the school's core values with your own is paramount.