The Best Private Schools in Saint David, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Saint David. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Peoria Academy
Independent School
Peoria Academy is an acclaimed independent school serving central Illinois, including the Saint David area. As an International Baccalaureate World School, it offers the IB Primary Years Programme for students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school is known for its progressive, inquiry-based approach to education that fosters critical thinking and global awareness. Facilities include specialized art studios, science laboratories, and outdoor learning spaces. The school emphasizes individualized learning, community engagement, and developing well-rounded students through integrated arts, technology, and hands-on learning experiences.
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Peoria Christian School
Independent Christian School
Peoria Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving the greater Peoria area, including Saint David. Established in 1976, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. The school features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. Academic programs emphasize STEM education, fine arts, and character development. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains high academic standards and offers extensive extracurricular activities including competitive sports, music programs, and community service opportunities.
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Bergan High School
Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Bergan High School is a respected Catholic high school serving the Peoria metropolitan area, including Saint David residents. Founded in 1959, the school provides comprehensive college preparatory education within a faith-based environment. The curriculum includes advanced placement courses, strong STEM programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. The campus features modern classrooms, science and computer labs, athletic facilities, and a performing arts center. Bergan emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual formation, and character development while offering robust athletic programs and extracurricular activities that serve students from throughout the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Saint David, Illinois
What are the private school options for families living in Saint David, Illinois, and are there schools within the town itself?
Saint David is a very small village, and there are no private schools physically located within its boundaries. Families in Saint David typically look to nearby Peoria, IL, for private education. The top options, as you've noted, include Peoria Christian School (PreK-12), Peoria Academy (PreK-8), and Bergan High School (9-12), all within a 20-30 minute commute. This means choosing a private school involves planning for transportation, whether through carpooling, school-provided buses (some offer limited routes), or personal driving. It's important to contact each school directly to understand their specific geographic service areas and transportation policies for Saint David residents.
How does Illinois' tax credit scholarship program, Invest in Kids, affect tuition affordability for Saint David families considering private schools?
The Illinois Invest in Kids Act is a crucial financial consideration. This program provides tax credits to donors who contribute to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs), which then award need-based scholarships to students attending private schools. Families in Saint David applying to participating schools like Peoria Christian School or Bergan High School can apply for these scholarships, which can significantly reduce tuition costs. However, the program has a statewide cap and funds are limited, so applying early is essential. You must apply through an SGO (like Empower Illinois) and meet income requirements. Always confirm a school's participation, as it can change annually.
For a Saint David student interested in agriculture or STEM, do local private schools offer specialized programs that leverage the surrounding rural and regional economy?
Yes, the private schools serving Saint David offer programs that connect to both the rural character of central Illinois and the professional opportunities in nearby Peoria. Peoria Christian School, for example, has strong science and math curricula and may offer related extracurriculars. More directly, Bergan High School's affiliation with the Peoria area allows for potential partnerships with local entities like Caterpillar Inc. or the agricultural tech sector for internships or programing. While you may not find a dedicated "agriculture track," these schools often provide robust college-prep science programs and the flexibility for independent study or projects related to agriscience, which can be an advantage for Saint David families with farming ties.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Peoria Academy or Peoria Christian School for a family moving to Saint David?
The enrollment process for these sought-after Peoria-area schools often begins nearly a year in advance. For a fall start, open houses and application windows typically open in September or October of the prior year, with deadlines for first-round consideration by January or February. As a Saint David resident, you should initiate contact in the early fall. The process usually includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and a student visit/assessment. Waiting pools are common, so applying early is strongly advised. If you are moving to Saint David mid-year, contact the admissions offices immediately, as they may have occasional mid-year openings.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools near Saint David compare to the local public school district (Illini Central CUSD 189)?
This is a key point of differentiation. The Illini Central district, which serves Saint David, offers a small, close-knit public school environment. In contrast, the private schools in Peoria offer an alternative type of small community. Peoria Academy and Peoria Christian School typically feature smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students) than even the small public schools, allowing for highly individualized attention. The community environment is also defined by a shared mission—whether faith-based (at Peoria Christian and Bergan) or independent (at Peoria Academy). For Saint David families, this means choosing between the localized, district-based community of Illini Central and a mission-driven, potentially more diverse (in terms of drawing from a wider geographic area) private school community in Peoria.
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