The Best Private Schools in Westfield, Illinois
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Westfield. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The New School of Terre Haute
Independent Private School
The New School of Terre Haute serves students from Illinois communities including Westfield, offering an innovative, progressive education for grades K-12. The school features a unique project-based learning approach with emphasis on critical thinking and real-world applications. Academic programs include advanced placement courses, comprehensive STEM curriculum, and extensive arts integration. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, technology centers, and collaborative learning spaces. The school maintains small student-teacher ratios and has an excellent college acceptance record, with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Holy Cross Catholic School
Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Holy Cross Catholic School serves students from multiple communities including Westfield, offering a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education grounded in Catholic values. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, science labs, and religious education. Facilities include modern classrooms, a gymnasium, and technology-enhanced learning spaces. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community support, with extracurricular activities including sports teams, choir, and academic competitions.
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St. Mary's School
Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
St. Mary's School provides exceptional private education to students from Westfield and surrounding communities, serving Pre-K through 8th grade. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring dedicated teachers with an average of 15+ years experience. The curriculum includes advanced placement preparation, comprehensive STEM education, and fine arts programs. The school campus includes modern facilities, a library, computer lab, and athletic fields. Parent satisfaction is notably high with strong emphasis on community values and individualized student attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Westfield, Illinois
What are the private school options specifically within Westfield, Illinois, and what are their core affiliations?
Westfield, Illinois, is a small rural community, and its private school options are primarily faith-based. The main institution is Holy Cross Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade), which provides a Catholic education integrated with standard academic curricula. St. Mary's School is another local Catholic option. For families seeking non-religious or specialized secondary education, there are no standalone private high schools within Westfield itself. Therefore, many families look to nearby cities like Terre Haute, Indiana, for options such as The New School of Terre Haute, which involves a commute. This limited in-town availability makes early research and consideration of transportation essential for Westfield parents.
How does tuition at Westfield, IL private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Westfield's private schools, like Holy Cross Catholic School, is generally below the Illinois state average for private elementary education, reflecting the rural and lower cost-of-living area. Annual tuition often ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 per student. Both Holy Cross and St. Mary's typically offer parishioner discounts for active members of their affiliated churches, multi-child discounts, and need-based financial aid through parish funds or diocesan programs. Illinois also offers the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, where donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) fund scholarships for eligible families, which can be applied at these schools. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school's office about their specific aid packages and application processes.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Westfield area offer that leverage the local community?
Private schools in Westfield, like Holy Cross Catholic School, often integrate the agricultural and close-knit community values into their programs. This can include science and environmental studies tied to local farming, community service projects supporting Westfield-area organizations, and strong emphasis on faith-based character development. Due to smaller class sizes, they offer personalized attention but may have more limited extracurricular offerings compared to larger urban schools. To supplement this, schools often partner with local community centers or public school districts for sports or arts collaborations. The New School of Terre Haute, while a commute, offers project-based learning and different specializations, providing an alternative for families seeking a specific pedagogical approach not available in Westfield proper.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Westfield, Illinois, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Westfield's private schools usually begins in January or February for the following academic year, with priority often given to re-enrolling students and siblings. For schools like Holy Cross Catholic School, an application, birth certificate, baptismal record (if applicable), and previous school records are required. Some schools may conduct a family interview or student assessment. Due to the small size of these schools, popular grades can fill quickly, leading to waitlists, especially for kindergarten. It is highly advisable for Westfield parents to contact the school office by early winter to request an information packet and schedule a tour. Open houses are commonly held in the spring.
For a family in Westfield, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school like Holy Cross?
The key considerations for a Westfield family include educational philosophy, cost, and community. Westfield's public schools (part of a consolidated unit district) offer a tuition-free education with a broader range of resources, sports, and potentially advanced coursework at the high school level. Private schools like Holy Cross offer a specific religious foundation, smaller class sizes for individualized attention, and a consistent environment from Pre-K through 8th grade. However, private school requires tuition and may involve a commute for higher grades. Parents should assess their child's needs, the importance of faith-based education, their budget, and willingness to potentially transition to public high school after 8th grade or commute to a private high school outside the area.
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