The Best Private Schools in Burlington, Indiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Burlington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Lafayette Christian School
Independent Christian School
Lafayette Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located approximately 25 minutes from Burlington, the school offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and offers extensive extracurricular programs including competitive sports, fine arts, and community service opportunities.
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St. Theodore Guerin Catholic High School
Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Guerin Catholic High School is a premier Catholic college-preparatory school serving students throughout central Indiana, including the Burlington area. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. Facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside academic excellence and offers comprehensive extracurricular programs including championship athletic teams, robotics, and numerous clubs. Transportation options are available for students from surrounding communities.
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St. Maria Goretti School
Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
St. Maria Goretti School is a highly-rated Catholic elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Located approximately 30 minutes from Burlington in West Lafayette, the school provides a strong foundational education with emphasis on academic excellence, faith formation, and character development. The school features modern classrooms, technology integration, and specialized learning spaces. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, and STEM enrichment programs. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular activities including sports, music, and academic competitions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Burlington, Indiana
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Burlington, Indiana, and are there transportation services?
Burlington, Indiana, is served by several well-regarded private schools, though most are located in nearby communities. The top options include St. Maria Goretti School (K-8) in West Lafayette, Lafayette Christian School (K-12) in Lafayette, and St. Theodore Guerin Catholic High School (9-12) in Noblesville. Due to Burlington's smaller size, there are no major private school campuses within the town limits itself. Transportation is a key consideration; most schools do not provide district-wide busing. Families typically organize carpools or utilize the school's optional fee-based transportation if available. It's common for Burlington residents to commute to Lafayette (about a 20-minute drive) for private education.
How does Indiana's school choice voucher program impact tuition affordability for Burlington families considering private schools?
Indiana's expansive Choice Scholarship Program (voucher) significantly impacts affordability for Burlington families. Eligibility is based on household income and size, with multiple pathways to qualify. For the 2023-24 school year, a family of four with an income up to approximately $154,000 may qualify for partial assistance. This means students attending participating private schools like Lafayette Christian School or St. Theodore Guerin can receive state-funded vouchers that cover a portion of tuition. It's crucial to apply through the school and the state by designated deadlines. This program makes private school a financially viable option for many more families in the Burlington area than in states without such robust support.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Burlington, IN, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Burlington area often leverage their specific missions to offer specialized programs. Lafayette Christian School provides a comprehensive Biblical worldview integration across all subjects and strong STEM initiatives. St. Theodore Guerin Catholic High School offers a distinctive House System for student mentorship, a robust engineering track, and extensive campus ministry programs. St. Maria Goretti School focuses on foundational Catholic education with character development and smaller class sizes. A key differentiator from the public Western School Corporation is the emphasis on religious formation and often more tailored college preparatory tracks starting in younger grades, appealing to families seeking education aligned with specific values.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Burlington, Indiana, and when should applications be submitted?
The enrollment process for schools like Lafayette Christian, St. Maria Goretti, and Guerin Catholic typically begins in the winter for the following academic year. Open houses are often held between January and March. Priority application deadlines for returning families and siblings usually fall in February or March, with new family applications due by early spring (March-April). However, many schools in the area operate on rolling admission if spaces remain. Due to the competitive nature of some grades, especially kindergarten and freshman year at the high school level, Burlington families are strongly advised to begin inquiries a full year in advance. The process always includes an application, records review, family interview, and for some, an entrance assessment.
For a family in Burlington, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local Western School Corporation and a private school in Lafayette or Noblesville?
The decision involves weighing several local factors. **Western School Corporation** offers the convenience of proximity, no tuition, and comprehensive public school programs and athletics. Choosing a private school like those in Lafayette or Noblesville involves a daily commute (15-45 minutes), significant tuition costs (offset potentially by Indiana vouchers), and a value-based or religious educational environment. Practically, Burlington families must consider the commute's impact on family time and extracurricular participation. Academically, private options may offer smaller class sizes and specific curricular focus. The social aspect is also different; children may have friends scattered across a wider geographic area rather than within their immediate neighborhood. Many families find the community and mission of the private school worth the logistical trade-offs.
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