The Best Private Schools in Newberry, Indiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Newberry. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Goddard School
Goddard Systems, Inc.
A premier early childhood education center located in nearby Washington, serving families throughout Daviess and Greene counties including Newberry. The school features a nationally-recognized curriculum focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education with modern facilities including dedicated learning centers, outdoor play areas, and technology-enhanced classrooms. Highly rated for teacher quality, safety standards, and comprehensive developmental programs for children from infancy through kindergarten.
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The Academy of St. Francis of Assisi
Diocese of Evansville Catholic Schools
A highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Washington area and surrounding communities including Newberry. The school offers a comprehensive faith-based education with strong academic foundations, modern STEM labs, and extensive extracurricular activities. Known for small class sizes and individualized attention, the school maintains excellent parent satisfaction ratings and strong community involvement. Facilities include updated classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities serving students from preschool through 8th grade.
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St. Charles Borromeo School
Diocese of Evansville Catholic Schools
A well-established Catholic school serving the broader southern Indiana region, including families from Newberry and surrounding areas. The school offers a classical education model with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and faith formation. Features include advanced mathematics programs, comprehensive fine arts curriculum, competitive sports teams, and modern technology integration. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for preparing students for success in high school and beyond, with many graduates attending top regional high schools.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Newberry, Indiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in Newberry, Indiana, and what educational philosophies do they represent?
Newberry, Indiana, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a different focus. The Academy of St. Francis of Assisi is a private Catholic school offering a faith-based education from preschool through 8th grade, integrating religious values with a traditional academic curriculum. The Goddard School is a nationally franchised early childhood education center, providing play-based learning for infants through preschool/pre-K age groups. St. Charles Borromeo School, located in the nearby Peru, IN, is another Catholic K-8 option that some Newberry families consider. For grades 9-12, families typically look at private high schools in larger surrounding communities like Logansport or Peru, as there are no private high schools within Newberry itself.
How does tuition for private schools in the Newberry, Indiana, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are commonly available?
Tuition for private schools in the Newberry area is generally below the average for Indiana's major metropolitan areas but aligns with rural and small-town rates. For the 2024-2025 school year, area Catholic elementary schools like The Academy of St. Francis of Assisi typically have tuition ranging from $4,000 to $6,000 per year, often with reduced rates for parish members and multiple children. Indiana offers significant state-level financial support through the Choice Scholarship Program (vouchers) and the Tax Credit Scholarship (SGO) program. Eligibility for vouchers depends on household income and other factors, making private education more accessible for many Newberry families. It's crucial to contact each school's financial office directly to understand their specific aid packages and application processes.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Newberry, Indiana, area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Newberry area leverage their smaller size to offer specialized programs. The Academy of St. Francis of Assisi emphasizes its Catholic identity, with daily religion classes, sacramental preparation, and service projects integrated into the curriculum. Many area private schools also focus on strong foundational literacy and math programs, often with lower student-to-teacher ratios than the local public district. While extracurricular offerings may be more limited due to size, they often include unique options like robotics clubs, faith-based youth groups, and partnerships with local community organizations for arts and sports. The Goddard School provides a structured early learning framework focused on social, emotional, and academic readiness for kindergarten.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Newberry, Indiana, families, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for private schools in the Newberry area often begins in January or February for the following academic year, with priority given to current families and registered parishioners (for parish schools). Open houses are typically held in the winter. The process usually involves submitting an application, providing academic records, a birth certificate, and baptismal certificate (for Catholic schools), and often a family interview or student assessment. For popular early childhood programs like The Goddard School, waitlists can form for specific age groups, especially for infant and toddler rooms, so early inquiry is recommended. St. Charles Borromeo and other schools may have rolling admission if space allows, but securing a spot by early spring is advisable.
For a family in Newberry, Indiana, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public school district and a private school?
Families in Newberry should consider several local factors. The Eastern Howard School Corporation serves the area, and the decision often hinges on values, class size, and specific student needs. Private schools offer a faith-based environment (if desired) and typically smaller class sizes, which can mean more individualized attention. Public schools provide a tuition-free education, a broader range of extracurricular activities and sports teams, and may have more specialized resources for special education. Transportation is a practical consideration; while public schools provide busing, private school families are usually responsible for their own transportation to schools in Newberry or nearby towns. Many families also weigh the community aspect, as private schools often foster tight-knit, long-term peer groups for students and parents.