The Best Private Schools in Liberty, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Liberty. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Blessed Sacrament School
Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Blessed Sacrament School is a highly-rated Catholic elementary and middle school serving Liberty families and the greater Quincy area. The school provides a nurturing environment with small class sizes and individualized attention. Academic programs feature strong literacy and mathematics foundations, integrated technology, and enrichment opportunities in art, music, and physical education. The school boasts excellent parent satisfaction ratings and maintains strong community partnerships. Facilities include modern classrooms, computer labs, library, and playground areas designed for different age groups.
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St. Francis Solanus School
Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
St. Francis Solanus School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving the Liberty area and broader Adams County region. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. The school is known for its dedicated faculty, strong parent community, and well-rounded education that includes robust STEM programs, fine arts, and competitive sports. Many graduates attend top regional high schools with excellent preparation.
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Quincy Notre Dame High School
Private Catholic High School
Quincy Notre Dame is the premier Catholic high school serving Liberty and the surrounding tri-state area. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, strong STEM programs, and competitive athletics. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. QND consistently achieves high academic performance with graduates attending top universities nationwide. The school emphasizes character development, community service, and spiritual formation alongside academic excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Liberty, Illinois
What are the private school options for families residing in or near Liberty, Illinois?
Liberty itself is a small village, so most private school options are located in nearby communities. The primary private institutions serving Liberty families are in Quincy, approximately 20 miles away. These include St. Francis Solanus School (Pre-K-8), Blessed Sacrament School (K-8), and Quincy Notre Dame High School (9-12). These Catholic schools are part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and are the most accessible private options. There are no private schools physically located within the village limits of Liberty, so transportation is a key consideration for parents.
How does tuition at private schools serving Liberty, IL, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Illinois?
Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year varies. For elementary schools like St. Francis Solanus and Blessed Sacrament, parishioner tuition is typically around $4,000-$5,500 annually, with higher rates for non-parishioners. Quincy Notre Dame High School tuition is approximately $8,000-$9,000. All these schools offer need-based financial aid and actively encourage families to apply. A significant Illinois-specific resource is the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides private school scholarships funded by donations from Illinois taxpayers who receive a tax credit. Many local families qualify for this substantial aid, making private education more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Liberty, IL, offer that distinguish them from local public schools?
The private schools in the Quincy area emphasize a faith-based education integrated into the core curriculum. Quincy Notre Dame High School (QND) offers distinctive programs like a robust Engineering and Computer Science track, extensive Fine Arts, and a strong emphasis on college preparatory Advanced Placement (AP) courses. At the elementary level, schools like St. Francis Solanus focus on foundational literacy and STEM within a values-based environment. A notable differentiator is the close-knit community and smaller class sizes, which are consistent across grade levels—a feature that can differ from the larger, consolidated public school districts that serve rural areas like Liberty.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for families in Liberty looking to secure a spot at a Quincy-area private school?
The enrollment process typically begins in January or February for the following fall. For schools like Quincy Notre Dame, 8th-grade shadow days and placement tests for incoming freshmen are held in the winter. For elementary schools (K-8), open houses and registration packets are available early in the calendar year. It's crucial for Liberty families to inquire about bus transportation options, as some districts may provide limited service to private schools. Early application is recommended, especially for kindergarten and 9th grade, as some grades have waiting lists. New families are often required to provide birth and baptismal certificates, immunization records, and previous school transcripts.
For a family in rural Liberty, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school in Quincy?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. The public option for Liberty students is typically the **Liberty CUSD #2** district, offering the convenience of a very short commute. Choosing a private school in Quincy adds a 20-30 minute commute each way, which impacts daily schedules and extracurricular participation. However, the private schools offer a continuous, faith-based K-12 pathway (through the affiliated Quincy Catholic School system) and may provide a different social and academic environment. Financially, while public school is tuition-free, private school tuition—offset by potential tax credit scholarships—must be weighed against the value of the specific programs, community, and religious education desired. Visiting both local public and Quincy private schools is essential to feel the difference in culture and scale.
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