The Best Private Schools in Mount Sterling, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Mount Sterling. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Our Saviour School
Our Saviour Catholic Parish
Our Saviour School provides a faith-based education serving families throughout central Illinois, including the Mount Sterling region. The school offers a rigorous academic program integrated with Catholic values and character development. Features include modern technology labs, dedicated art and music programs, and comprehensive athletic offerings. The school maintains high academic standards with small class sizes and individualized attention. Parent satisfaction is notably high with strong community involvement and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
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Quincy Notre Dame High School
Quincy Notre Dame Foundation
Quincy Notre Dame High School is a regional Catholic high school that serves students from multiple counties, including Brown County where Mount Sterling is located. The school features a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with advanced placement courses and specialized STEM programs. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence and has a strong record of college placements. Extracurricular offerings include championship athletic programs, competitive academic teams, and extensive arts programs.
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Illini Central High School
Illini Central CUSD 189
Illini Central High School serves students from multiple communities in central Illinois, including those in the Mount Sterling area. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on STEM education and agricultural sciences. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes and has a strong track record of college acceptance. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports, FFA, and various academic clubs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Mount Sterling, Illinois
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Mount Sterling, Illinois?
Mount Sterling, IL, offers a limited but dedicated selection of private schools, primarily faith-based institutions. The main options include Our Saviour School, which typically serves students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. For high school, many Mount Sterling families look to nearby Quincy Notre Dame High School, a well-regarded Catholic high school about a 45-minute drive away. While Illini Central High School is a public school within the Illini Central CUSD 189 district, it's important for parents to confirm the status of any school, as private options in small towns like Mount Sterling often involve considering schools in surrounding communities.
How does the tuition for private schools serving Mount Sterling, IL, compare, and are there any Illinois-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies significantly between the local elementary school and the regional high school option. Our Saviour School generally has more modest tuition, often with reduced rates for parish members. Quincy Notre Dame High School's tuition is higher, reflecting its comprehensive high school programs. Illinois offers the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which can provide significant financial aid to eligible families. This program allows donors to receive a state tax credit for contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which then award need-based scholarships for private school tuition. Families in Mount Sterling should inquire directly with each school about their participation in this program and other parish-based or merit scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving the Mount Sterling area offer that differ from the public school system?
The private schools accessible to Mount Sterling families often emphasize a faith-based education integrated into the core curriculum, which is the most distinct difference from the public system. Quincy Notre Dame High School offers a wide range of college-prep courses, theology, and competitive extracurriculars in athletics and arts that rival larger schools. Our Saviour School provides a close-knit, values-based environment with smaller class sizes. A notable consideration for Mount Sterling is that these private options may offer a different peer network and community, drawing students from multiple surrounding towns and counties, which can broaden social and academic perspectives compared to the more geographically concentrated public school.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like Our Saviour School in Mount Sterling?
For Our Saviour School in Mount Sterling, the enrollment process often begins in the winter or early spring for the following academic year. It typically involves submitting an application, providing records from a previous school, and possibly a family interview or student assessment, especially for entry into certain grade levels. As a parish school, priority is frequently given to active members of the supporting church. For Quincy Notre Dame High School, the process for incoming freshmen usually starts with an open house in the fall, with application deadlines in the winter. It's crucial for Mount Sterling parents to plan ahead and contact these schools directly, as spaces, particularly in the smaller local school, can be limited.
For a family in Mount Sterling, what are the key logistical factors to consider when choosing a private school, especially one located outside of town?
The key logistical factor for Mount Sterling families is transportation. The local private school, Our Saviour School, may have more manageable daily travel. Choosing a school like Quincy Notre Dame High School, however, requires a serious commitment to a significant daily commute (approximately 45 minutes each way). Parents must consider carpooling options, the impact of travel time on the student's schedule and extracurricular participation, and winter driving conditions on rural Illinois roads. Additionally, being part of a school community outside your immediate town requires extra effort to stay involved in events and activities. The trade-off is access to a wider range of academic, athletic, and social opportunities not available in the immediate local area.
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