The Best Private Schools in Serena, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Serena. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet
St. Mary's School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Serena area from nearby Streator. The school offers comprehensive education from Pre-K through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics. Features include modern technology integration, competitive athletics programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes for personalized attention and has consistently high parent satisfaction ratings for its nurturing environment and academic excellence.
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Marquette Academy
Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Marquette Academy is a premier Catholic college preparatory high school serving students from Serena and surrounding communities. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with multiple Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and outstanding fine arts opportunities. Students benefit from a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, competitive athletic teams, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school is known for its strong college acceptance rates and commitment to developing well-rounded students through service learning and character education.
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St. Bede Academy
St. Bede Abbey
St. Bede Academy is a historic Benedictine college preparatory school serving the Serena region from Peru, Illinois. The academy provides a comprehensive educational experience grounded in Catholic Benedictine values for grades 9-12. The school features modern science and technology labs, competitive athletic programs, and a wide range of extracurricular activities. Known for its strong academic tradition and beautiful campus setting, St. Bede maintains high college acceptance rates and offers numerous Advanced Placement and honors courses to challenge high-achieving students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Serena, Illinois
What are the main private school options available for families living in or near Serena, Illinois?
Families in the Serena, Illinois area are primarily served by three notable private, faith-based institutions. St. Mary's School in nearby Ottawa typically offers a Pre-K through 8th grade Catholic education. Marquette Academy, also in Ottawa, is a co-educational Catholic high school. St. Bede Academy in Peru is a Benedictine college preparatory high school serving grades 9-12. It's important to note that Serena itself is a small village, so these schools are located in neighboring towns within a reasonable commuting distance, representing the core of private education options for Serena residents.
How does the tuition for private schools near Serena, IL, compare, and are there Illinois-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Mary's (K-8) tuition is approximately $4,000-$5,000, while high schools like Marquette Academy and St. Bede Academy range from $8,000 to $11,000 annually. A key Illinois-specific financial consideration is the **Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program**. While this program is currently being phased out, existing scholarships are being honored, and families should inquire directly with each school about remaining need-based aid, parish subsidies (for Catholic schools), and payment plans. Many local families also benefit from the schools' own endowed scholarship funds.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Serena, IL, offer that differentiate them?
Each school has distinct strengths. St. Bede Academy, with its historic campus, offers a strong liberal arts curriculum, a renowned journalism program, and extensive Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Marquette Academy provides a comprehensive Catholic education with a focus on STEM and college preparedness. St. Mary's School offers a foundational education with an emphasis on faith and character development in the early grades. For Serena-area students interested in agriculture—a major local industry—these private schools often integrate related sciences and may have FFA chapters, providing a values-based education alongside practical, regional relevance.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Serena, Illinois, area?
The enrollment process for schools like St. Mary's, Marquette, and St. Bede generally begins in January or February for the following fall. The first step is often an open house or shadow day, which are highly encouraged for prospective Serena families to experience the commute and campus environment. Application deadlines are typically in early spring, with registration and financial aid applications due shortly after. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in specific grades, it is advisable for Serena parents to initiate contact with admissions offices by the winter of the prior year. Sibling and parish member preferences are common in the admissions process.
For a family in Serena, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school (Serena CUSD #2) and a private school in a neighboring town?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. The Serena public school district provides a close-knit, community-based K-12 education without tuition or a commute. Choosing a private school like St. Mary's, Marquette, or St. Bede requires a daily commute of 20-30 minutes to Ottawa or Peru, along with tuition costs. In return, private options offer a specific religious foundation (Catholic/Benedictine), often smaller class sizes, and different extracurricular emphases (e.g., St. Bede's storied athletic traditions). Families must weigh the value of the specialized mission and programs against the convenience and cost-savings of the well-regarded local public system, considering their child's individual needs and the family's daily logistics.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Small Private Schools Near Serena, IL: A Parent's Guide
If you're a parent in Serena, Illinois, typing "small private schools near me" into a search engine, you're likely looking for something specific. You want more than just an alternative to the public system; you're seeking a close-knit educational community where your child is known by name, not just by a student ID number. The good news is that the Serena area is home to several exceptional small private schools that offer precisely this environment, each with its own unique character and strengths. Understanding the local landscape is the first step in finding the right fit for your family.
The concept of "small" here in our part of Illinois often translates to profound benefits. In a smaller school, like St. Mary's School right here in Serena, the student-to-teacher ratio isn't just a statistic; it's a daily reality. Teachers have the time and bandwidth to recognize a student's subtle struggle with a math concept or to nurture a budding talent in writing. This individualized attention fosters not only academic growth but also strong character development. For younger children, this creates a secure and supportive foundation that is invaluable. It’s the kind of setting where cross-grade friendships form naturally and school events feel like family gatherings.
As students grow, the options expand while maintaining that cherished community feel. Marquette Academy in nearby Ottawa and St. Bede Academy in Peru are excellent examples of how small private schools successfully prepare students for the future without losing their personal touch. Both are faith-based institutions, with Marquette offering a Catholic education in the Ottawa community and St. Bede providing a Benedictine, college-prep environment. Their smaller sizes mean that a freshman has a real chance to make the varsity soccer team, star in the spring play, or lead a student ministry group—opportunities that might be more competitive in a much larger setting. The college counseling is highly personalized, with advisors who work closely with families throughout the entire process.
Choosing between these wonderful local options requires some local consideration. For Serena families, commute is a factor. St. Mary's offers the convenience of an in-town, K-8 education. Marquette Academy and St. Bede Academy involve a short drive, but many families find the commute worthwhile for the specific programs, faith formation, or athletic conferences these schools offer. It's essential to visit. Schedule a tour, not just for the official presentation, but to walk the halls. Can you picture your child here? Do you see students engaged and teachers who are approachable? Listen for the sense of community in the conversations you overhear. The right school will feel like an extension of your family's values. Your search for "small private schools near me" is ultimately a search for a partnership—a place where the community of Serena and its surrounding towns converges with dedicated educators to help your child flourish, not just as a student, but as a person.