The Best Private Schools in Highland, Indiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Highland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. John the Evangelist School
Diocese of Gary Catholic Schools
St. John the Evangelist School is a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school serving Pre-K through 8th grade students in Highland. The school provides a strong faith-based education combined with rigorous academics, featuring dedicated teachers with an average of 15+ years experience. Facilities include modern classrooms, science lab, computer lab, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with strong parent involvement and community support. Extracurricular offerings include sports, choir, band, and various academic competitions.
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Bishop Noll Institute
Diocese of Gary Catholic Schools
Bishop Noll Institute is a premier Catholic high school serving students from Highland and surrounding Northwest Indiana communities. As a comprehensive college preparatory school, it offers rigorous academic programs including Advanced Placement courses, a dedicated STEM academy, and extensive fine arts opportunities. The school features state-of-the-art science labs, modern athletic facilities, and a strong tradition of academic excellence. With a diverse student body and dedicated faculty, Bishop Noll maintains high college acceptance rates and provides comprehensive student support services.
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Illiana Christian High School
Independent Christian School
Illiana Christian High School is a highly-respected interdenominational Christian school serving students from Highland and surrounding Indiana/Illinois communities. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum rooted in Christian values, with strong emphasis on academic rigor and spiritual development. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with dedicated faculty, and offers robust extracurricular programs including competitive athletics, fine arts, and service opportunities. Many graduates attend top colleges and universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Highland, Indiana
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Highland, Indiana?
Highland, Indiana, offers a continuum of private, faith-based education options. For elementary and middle school, St. John the Evangelist School provides a Catholic education for grades Pre-K through 8. For high school, families typically look to nearby institutions. Bishop Noll Institute, a Catholic college-preparatory high school in Hammond, is a popular choice. Illiana Christian High School in nearby Lansing, Illinois, offers a Reformed Christian perspective and is accessible to Highland residents. While Highland itself has limited standalone private high schools, its location in Northwest Indiana provides strong regional options within a short commute.
How does the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program (vouchers) affect tuition for private schools serving Highland families?
The Indiana Choice Scholarship Program significantly impacts affordability for eligible Highland families. Many local private schools, including Bishop Noll Institute and Illiana Christian, participate in the program. Eligibility is based on household income and other criteria, with scholarships covering a portion or, for lower-income families, nearly all of tuition costs at participating schools. It's crucial to check each school's specific participation status and application requirements, as they manage the voucher process directly. This state-specific program makes private school in the Highland area more accessible than in many other states.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are emphasized by private schools in the Highland, IN, area?
Private schools in the Highland region often emphasize strong STEM pathways, faith integration, and community service. Bishop Noll Institute features a renowned Engineering & Technology Academy and extensive Advanced Placement (AP) offerings. Illiana Christian High School is known for its robust fine arts programs and vocational tracks. St. John the Evangelist School focuses on foundational STEM and literacy with Catholic values woven throughout the curriculum. Given Northwest Indiana's industrial and healthcare economy, many schools also foster partnerships with local businesses for internships and project-based learning, providing a practical, regionally-relevant education.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Highland, Indiana?
Enrollment timelines for Highland-area private schools are crucial due to limited seats and high demand. Most schools, like St. John the Evangelist, Bishop Noll, and Illiana Christian, begin their priority enrollment or re-registration for existing families in January or February for the following academic year. Open houses typically occur in the fall. The process usually involves submitting an application, academic records, standardized test scores, pastor references (for faith-based schools), and often a family interview or student assessment. We strongly recommend initiating inquiries by October of the year prior to desired enrollment, especially for competitive high school placements.
How do the class sizes and community environments of Highland-area private schools compare to local public schools?
Private schools in the Highland area generally offer significantly smaller class sizes than the public School Town of Highland. While public elementary classes may average 20-25 students, private schools like St. John the Evangelist often maintain ratios closer to 15:1. This allows for more individualized attention. The community environment is distinctly shaped by shared values—whether Catholic or Reformed Christian—fostering a close-knit atmosphere. Extracurricular participation rates also tend to be higher in the private schools due to smaller student bodies. However, the public schools offer a wider variety of specific elective courses and may have more extensive facilities due to larger scale and public funding.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Fit: A Guide to Private Special Education Schools in Highland, Indiana
For parents in Highland, Indiana, the search for the right educational environment for a child with unique learning needs can feel deeply personal and often overwhelming. You’re not just looking for a school; you’re seeking a supportive community that understands your child’s potential. While the phrase “private special education schools near me” might lead your initial search, understanding the local landscape in Northwest Indiana reveals a spectrum of supportive options, from dedicated special education programs to inclusive private school environments with robust support systems.
Highland itself is home to several esteemed private institutions, like St. John the Evangelist School, Bishop Noll Institute, and Illiana Christian High School. These schools often provide a strong foundation of community and values-based education. When considering a child with learning differences, it’s essential to engage directly with their admissions and support staff. Many traditional private schools offer varying levels of academic support, such as resource rooms, learning specialists, and accommodations, though they may not be classified as full-scale special education schools. A visit to these campuses can help you gauge their capacity and philosophy for supporting diverse learners within their existing framework.
However, for parents specifically seeking a private school with a dedicated, comprehensive special education program, the search naturally extends to the broader Region. The good news is that within a reasonable commute from Highland, there are specialized schools designed to serve students with a range of learning disabilities, developmental delays, and social-emotional needs. These institutions typically feature low student-to-teacher ratios, credentialed special education instructors, speech and occupational therapists on staff, and individualized education plans (IEPs) or service plans that are central to their mission. Exploring these options often means looking toward neighboring communities like Munster, Schererville, or even into the southern suburbs of Chicago, which are accessible for many Highland families.
The key is to move beyond the general search and identify the specific needs of your child. Does your child require a therapeutic environment, a focus on life skills, or a rigorous academic curriculum adapted for dyslexia or ADHD? Defining these needs will direct you to the most appropriate setting. We strongly recommend starting with consultations and evaluations from local educational psychologists or advocates familiar with Indiana’s private school networks. They can provide invaluable referrals tailored to your child’s profile.
Ultimately, your journey in Highland is not a solitary one. Connecting with other local parents through community groups or online forums specific to Northwest Indiana special needs can yield personal recommendations and insights you won’t find in a brochure. While the perfect “private special education school near me” might be a short drive away, the foundation of your search is built right here at home, by understanding your child’s unique strengths and needs and mapping them to the specialized resources our region has to offer. The ideal fit is out there, blending the right therapeutic or academic expertise with a nurturing environment where your child can truly thrive.
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