The Best Private Schools in Howe, Indiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Howe. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Anthony of Padua School
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
St. Anthony of Padua School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Howe area from nearby Angola. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning and academic excellence. The curriculum includes advanced STEM programs, comprehensive language arts, and robust fine arts offerings. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for strong community involvement and high parent satisfaction.
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Lakewood Park Christian School
Independent Christian School
Lakewood Park Christian School is a respected private Christian school located in Auburn, serving students from Howe and surrounding communities. The school offers education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. Academic programs include Advanced Placement courses, dual credit opportunities, and comprehensive STEM education. The campus features modern facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school is known for its strong athletic programs and community-oriented approach to education.
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Lakeland Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Lakeland Christian Academy serves the Howe area from its location in Winona Lake, offering a classical Christian education model for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The school emphasizes rigorous academics within a biblical worldview framework, featuring a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. Programs include advanced mathematics and sciences, classical literature studies, extensive fine arts offerings, and competitive athletics. The school maintains small class sizes and has a strong track record of college acceptance for graduates. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic fields.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Howe, Indiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in or near Howe, Indiana?
The Howe area offers a few key private school choices, each with distinct characteristics. St. Anthony of Padua School in Angola (approximately 10 miles north) is a Catholic K-8 option. Lakewood Park Christian School, also in Angola, provides a Pre-K through 12th grade education with a Baptist affiliation. Lakeland Christian Academy in Winona Lake (about 25 miles southeast) is another Christian K-12 school serving the broader region. While Howe itself has limited on-site private schools, these nearby institutions are common choices for local families seeking private education, with transportation often being a key logistical consideration.
How does tuition at private schools in the Howe, Indiana area typically compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for the schools serving Howe tends to be below the national private school average but is a significant household expense for many families in the region. For the 2024-2025 academic year, K-8 tuition at these schools often ranges from $5,000 to $8,000, while high school can be $8,000 to $10,000. Indiana offers robust state-funded financial aid programs that greatly impact affordability. The School Choice Scholarship (voucher) program and the Tax Credit Scholarship (SGO) program allow eligible families to use state funds toward tuition at participating private schools, including those near Howe. Each school's financial aid office can guide parents through the application process for these Indiana-specific programs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are emphasized by private schools serving the Howe, IN community?
Reflecting the rural and values-oriented community, private schools in the Howe area often emphasize programs that blend strong academics with character development and practical skills. Lakewood Park Christian School features a notable agricultural science program and FFA chapter, aligning with the region's farming heritage. Lakeland Christian Academy has a strong emphasis on fine arts and competitive athletics. St. Anthony of Padua School focuses on foundational STEM integration and faith-based service learning. Many of these schools also offer dual-credit courses through partnerships with local colleges like Trine University, providing a head start on college credits—a significant advantage for college-bound students in this region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Howe, Indiana?
The enrollment process for schools like Lakewood Park Christian School and Lakeland Christian Academy often begins as early as January for the following fall, with priority given to re-enrolling students and siblings. Open houses are typically held in winter. For St. Anthony of Padua, the parish registration deadline can influence priority. A key step for Indiana families is applying for state voucher/SGO funding, with deadlines usually in the spring. Given the smaller size of these schools, spaces, particularly in specific grade levels, can be limited. It is highly recommended that families in Howe initiate inquiries by November or December, complete admissions testing and interviews by early spring, and finalize financial aid applications promptly to secure a spot.
How do the class sizes and community environment of private schools near Howe compare to the public Howe School Corporation?
The defining difference is scale and specialization. The Howe School Corporation provides a comprehensive public education with a single campus for grades 7-12 and an elementary school, benefiting from larger resources for facilities and broad extracurriculars. In contrast, private options like Lakewood Park Christian or Lakeland Christian Academy offer much smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25+ in public) and a close-knit, faith-based community environment. This can mean more individualized attention but a narrower selection of elective courses and sports teams. For families in Howe seeking a specific religious foundation or a smaller setting than the local public system provides, the private schools fill a distinct niche, though they require a commute and financial investment.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Autism Support: Top Private Schools Near Howe, Indiana
For parents in Howe, Indiana, searching for the right educational environment for a child with autism can feel like a deeply personal journey. The phrase "private schools for autism near me" often represents more than just a search query; it’s a hope for finding a community that understands, supports, and nurtures your child’s unique way of learning. While Howe itself is a small, close-knit community, the surrounding region of Northeast Indiana offers a landscape of private education where specialized support can often be found within broader school missions or through collaborative local networks.
Firstly, it’s important to understand that many excellent private schools in our area may not have "autism" in their name, but they can offer the small class sizes, individualized attention, and values-based environment that many children on the spectrum thrive in. Local institutions like Lakeland Christian Academy and Lakewood Park Christian School, for instance, prioritize a family-oriented atmosphere. This can be a significant advantage, as it often translates to more direct communication with teachers and administrators, allowing for the creation of personalized learning plans. When you tour these schools, come prepared with specific questions about their experience with neurodiverse learners, their student-to-teacher ratios, and their flexibility in modifying curriculum or providing sensory breaks. St. Anthony of Padua School also offers a structured, faith-based setting that some families find provides the consistent routine and moral framework that benefits their child.
However, the direct search for "private schools for autism near me" may lead you to look beyond Howe’s immediate borders. Fort Wayne, less than an hour’s drive away, has several private schools and specialized programs specifically designed for students with learning differences, including autism spectrum disorders. This proximity means Howe families can consider a wider range of dedicated options while still living in our peaceful community. The commute might be worthwhile for access to programs with on-staff therapists, applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques integrated into the school day, or classrooms specifically designed for low student-to-teacher ratios with specialized training.
The key for Howe parents is to become proactive advocates. Reach out to the local schools’ admissions directors and schedule meetings. Ask not just about services, but about the school’s philosophy on inclusion and differentiation. Inquire about staff training in autism spectrum disorders and whether they have partnerships with local occupational, speech, or behavioral therapists who might provide services on-site. Connect with other parents in the Howe area through community boards or local support groups; personal recommendations are invaluable. Remember, the right fit is about the entire ecosystem—the teachers’ patience, the peers’ acceptance, and the administration’s willingness to partner with you. Your search for "private schools for autism near me" is the first step in building a team for your child’s success, blending the warmth of our Howe community with the specialized resources our greater region has to offer.