The Best Private Schools in Lawrenceville, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lawrenceville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Good Samaritan Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Evansville
Good Samaritan Catholic School, located in nearby Vincennes, Indiana, serves families from the Lawrenceville area and has earned an outstanding reputation for academic excellence. With over 60 years of educational service, the school provides a rigorous Pre-K through 8th grade curriculum that emphasizes strong foundational skills in mathematics, language arts, and sciences within a faith-based environment. The school features modern facilities, experienced faculty, and comprehensive programs including advanced mathematics, robust language arts, music education, and extracurricular activities. Parents consistently rate the school highly for its academic rigor, caring teachers, and strong sense of community.
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St. Mary's School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
St. Mary's School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Lawrenceville area from nearby Mount Carmel. With over 70 years of educational excellence, the school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program that combines strong academic foundations with Catholic values. The school features small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes STEM education, religious instruction, and extracurricular activities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, strong community feel, and excellent preparation for high school. The school serves students from Lawrenceville and surrounding communities in southeastern Illinois.
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Lawrenceville Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Lawrenceville Christian Academy is a local private school offering comprehensive K-12 education with a Christian worldview. Founded to provide quality education grounded in biblical principles, the academy features small class sizes, individualized attention, and a strong college preparatory curriculum. The school integrates faith and learning across all subjects while maintaining high academic standards. Programs include traditional core subjects, Bible studies, fine arts, and athletic opportunities. Parents appreciate the family-like atmosphere, dedicated teachers, and the school's commitment to developing both academic excellence and character in students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lawrenceville, Illinois
What are the main private school options available for K-12 education in Lawrenceville, Illinois?
Lawrenceville, IL, offers a few key private school options, primarily with religious affiliations. St. Mary's School (Catholic) serves grades Pre-K through 8. Lawrenceville Christian Academy provides education from Pre-K through 12th grade, making it the only local private option for a complete high school program. Good Samaritan Catholic School also serves elementary grades. For families seeking a non-religious private day school, options within Lawrenceville itself are extremely limited, and many parents look at schools in nearby cities like Vincennes, Indiana, or consider boarding schools.
How does the tuition for private schools in Lawrenceville, IL, compare to state averages, and are there any Illinois-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition at Lawrenceville's private schools is generally below the Illinois state average for private education, reflecting the area's cost of living. For the 2024-2025 school year, elementary tuition typically ranges from $3,500 to $5,500 annually. As an Illinois resident, you can leverage the state's Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) like Empower Illinois fund scholarships for lower-income families, which can be used at qualified private schools like those in Lawrenceville. Additionally, all local private schools offer their own need-based financial aid and multi-child discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Lawrenceville, IL, private schools offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Lawrenceville's private schools emphasize small class sizes and values-based education. St. Mary's and Good Samaritan integrate Catholic teachings across subjects and offer sacramental preparation. Lawrenceville Christian Academy provides a Bible-based curriculum and may offer more flexibility in course selection for its high school students compared to the smaller public school district. A key differentiator is the ability to maintain specialized programs like agriculture or arts despite statewide public school funding challenges. These schools also often have strong community service components tied to their local churches.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Lawrenceville, Illinois?
The enrollment process in Lawrenceville typically begins in January or February for the following fall, with priority often given to re-enrolling students and siblings. St. Mary's and Good Samaritan may give priority to parish members. The process usually involves submitting an application, academic records, a pastor's recommendation (for religious schools), and a family interview. Unlike some urban areas, there are rarely waiting lists for lower grades, but spaces in specific upper-grade classrooms can be limited due to very small class sizes. It's advisable to contact the school directly by early spring to secure placement and discuss financial aid applications, which have separate deadlines.
For families considering the choice, what are the practical considerations when comparing Lawrenceville's public schools (District 20) to its private school options?
The decision often hinges on logistics, values, and high school planning. Lawrenceville public schools provide a tuition-free, comprehensive K-12 education with standardized transportation and extracurriculars like sports. The private options offer smaller, more intimate settings with specific religious instruction. A major practical consideration is that only Lawrenceville Christian Academy provides a local private high school; choosing St. Mary's or Good Samaritan for elementary means planning for a transition to public high school or commuting to a private high school outside the area. Additionally, private schools in Lawrenceville may have more flexible curricula but fewer state-funded resources for special education compared to the public district.
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