The Best Private Schools in Huntington, Indiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Huntington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Huntington County Christian School
Independent Christian School
Huntington County Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian institution serving the Huntington community with comprehensive K-12 education. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, offering rigorous college preparatory curriculum alongside biblical studies. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 12:1, ensuring personalized attention. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports teams, music ensembles, drama productions, and community service opportunities. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high, with families praising the strong community atmosphere and academic preparation.
Programs:
Canterbury School
Independent College Preparatory School
Canterbury School is a premier independent college preparatory school located in nearby Fort Wayne that serves families throughout northeast Indiana, including Huntington. The school offers a rigorous academic program featuring both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate pathways. Canterbury's 65-acre campus includes state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, athletic facilities, and technology-rich learning spaces. The school maintains a 8:1 student-teacher ratio and boasts a 100% college acceptance rate. Extracurricular offerings include championship athletic teams, extensive arts programs, and numerous clubs. Many Huntington families choose Canterbury for its exceptional academic reputation and comprehensive college counseling program.
Programs:
Concordia Lutheran High School
Lutheran School System
Concordia Lutheran High School is a highly-respected Lutheran institution in Fort Wayne that serves students from Huntington and surrounding communities. With nearly 90 years of educational excellence, Concordia offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum enhanced by robust Career Technical Education programs. The school features modern facilities including advanced STEM labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. Academic programs emphasize critical thinking and faith-based learning, with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. The school offers over 50 extracurricular activities including championship athletic teams, music ensembles, and academic competitions. Concordia is particularly noted for its strong community values and successful college placement record, making it a popular choice for Huntington-area families seeking private education.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Huntington, Indiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in Huntington, Indiana, and what are their key characteristics?
Huntington, Indiana, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a different focus. **Huntington County Christian School** is a local K-12 option providing a biblically-based education within the city. For a college-preparatory focus, many Huntington families consider **Canterbury School** in Fort Wayne (about 30 minutes away), which is a highly-regarded independent day school. **Concordia Lutheran High School**, also in Fort Wayne, is another common choice for its Lutheran, college-prep curriculum. Within Huntington itself, the private school landscape is anchored by faith-based education, so families seeking secular private or specialized independent schools often look to the broader Fort Wayne area.
How does tuition for private schools in the Huntington, IN, area compare, and are there Indiana-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school. Huntington County Christian School typically has a lower tuition rate as a local parochial school, often ranging from $5,000-$8,000 annually. Schools in Fort Wayne like Canterbury and Concordia have higher tuitions, often exceeding $15,000 per year. A critical financial consideration for Indiana residents is the **Indiana Choice Scholarship Program** (voucher program). Eligibility is based on household income and other factors, and it can significantly reduce tuition costs at participating private schools, including those in and serving Huntington. Additionally, the **Indiana Tax Credit Scholarship** program allows donors to support scholarship-granting organizations, providing further aid opportunities.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Huntington students offer that differ from the public school system?
Private schools in this region often provide specialized programs that may not be as available in Huntington's public schools. **Concordia Lutheran High School** offers a renowned STEM program and extensive vocational tracks through its "Career Center." **Canterbury School** features a globally-focused curriculum with advanced language programs, extensive AP offerings, and signature programs in writing and humanities. Locally, **Huntington County Christian School** integrates faith and learning across all subjects and may offer smaller class sizes for more individualized attention. These schools often have distinct arts, athletics, and travel opportunities that are shaped by their specific missions.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Huntington and the surrounding area?
Timelines are crucial, especially for popular schools. For **Huntington County Christian School**, enrollment often opens in early spring for the following fall, with rolling admission based on availability. For the Fort Wayne schools (**Canterbury and Concordia**), the process is more formal and competitive. Applications typically open in September/October, with deadlines in January or February for the next academic year. These processes include entrance exams (like the HSPT), interviews, and submission of records. We strongly recommend contacting schools the fall before your desired enrollment year. Many host open houses in the autumn, which are excellent opportunities for Huntington families to visit.
For a family living in Huntington, what are the main considerations when choosing between Huntington County Christian School and commuting to a private school in Fort Wayne?
This decision hinges on priorities for community, commute, and curriculum. Choosing **Huntington County Christian School** means a shorter commute, a tight-knit local community, and a consistent faith-based environment from K-12. Opting for a Fort Wayne school like **Canterbury or Concordia** involves a significant daily commute (30-45+ minutes each way) but access to broader academic resources, more extensive extracurricular and athletic conferences, and potentially a larger peer network. It's also a larger financial investment. Consider your child's involvement in after-school activities, the importance of a local versus regional community, and whether the specific academic or faith-based approach of one school aligns best with your family's goals.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Fit: Top Autism-Focused Private Schools Near Huntington, Indiana
For parents in Huntington, Indiana, searching for the right educational environment for a child with autism can feel both urgent and deeply personal. The phrase “private schools for autism near me” often leads to a broader conversation about finding a supportive, structured, and understanding community, which is precisely where Huntington’s private school landscape offers some compelling avenues to explore. While the immediate Huntington area may not have a private school exclusively dedicated to autism, several excellent local institutions provide the smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and values-based frameworks that many families seek. Understanding the specific resources and approaches of these schools is the first step in finding a potential fit.
Huntington County Christian School, right here in our community, emphasizes a nurturing environment built on Christian principles. For a child with autism, the potential benefit lies in the school’s close-knit atmosphere and its mission to educate the whole child—spiritually, academically, and socially. The lower student-to-teacher ratio can allow for more personalized pacing and communication between parents and educators, which is crucial. It’s important to have a direct conversation with the administration about their experience with neurodiverse learners, the flexibility of their curriculum, and whether they have staff trained in specific methodologies that support children on the spectrum. Their focus on character and community can be a significant asset for social and emotional development.
Looking slightly beyond Huntington’s city limits broadens the options. Canterbury School in Fort Wayne, while a drive from Huntington, is a renowned private institution known for its rigorous academics and strong support systems. They have a dedicated Learning Resources Center that provides academic support for students with diverse learning needs, which can include those with high-functioning autism. This structured support within a traditional elite academic setting is a model some families prioritize. Similarly, Concordia Lutheran High School, also in Fort Wayne, offers a different perspective with its faith-based integration and a variety of student support services. Their size allows for diverse extracurricular activities, which can be valuable for building social skills in a structured setting. Visiting these campuses is essential to gauge the overall culture and sensory environment.
The search for “private schools for autism near me” in Huntington, Indiana, ultimately involves balancing proximity with specialized support. It is highly recommended to schedule in-depth tours and meetings at any school you consider. Come prepared with specific questions about daily routines, sensory accommodations, staff training in autism spectrum disorders, and how they handle communication and behavioral support. Also, connect with local Indiana resources like the Autism Society of Indiana or regional parent support groups; they often have invaluable insights about school experiences in our specific area. Remember, the right fit is about more than a label; it’s about finding a school community in Huntington or the surrounding region where your child is understood, challenged appropriately, and welcomed to thrive as their unique self. Your proactive search is the greatest advocate for your child’s educational journey.