The Best Private Schools in Oldenburg, Indiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oldenburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Louis Catholic School
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
St. Louis Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school located just 8 miles from Oldenburg. Serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum rooted in Catholic values with strong emphasis on academic excellence. The school features modern facilities, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty. Programs include advanced STEM education, comprehensive fine arts, competitive athletics, and community service initiatives. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, strong academic foundation, and excellent teacher-student relationships.
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St. Mary's School
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Located approximately 15 miles from Oldenburg in Greensburg, St. Mary's School serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade with a rigorous academic program integrated with Catholic faith formation. The school features state-of-the-art technology integration, comprehensive music and arts programs, and competitive sports teams. Known for its strong community involvement and parent satisfaction, St. Mary's emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement. The school maintains excellent teacher qualifications and offers before/after school care programs for working families.
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Oldenburg Academy
Sisters of St. Francis
Oldenburg Academy is the only private high school located directly in Oldenburg, serving students in grades 9-12. Operated by the Sisters of St. Francis, this college preparatory school offers a challenging academic curriculum with notable STEM and fine arts programs. The campus features historic buildings with modern academic facilities, science labs, and athletic complexes. The school is recognized for its small class sizes, individualized attention, and strong college placement record. Unique programs include international student exchange, service learning opportunities, and extensive extracurricular activities including robotics, theater, and competitive sports.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oldenburg, Indiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in Oldenburg, Indiana, and what are their core educational models?
Oldenburg, Indiana, offers a small but distinct selection of private schools, all with a religious foundation. The top options include **St. Louis Catholic School** (Pre-K through 8th grade), **St. Mary's School** (also a Catholic elementary/middle school), and **Oldenburg Academy** (a private, Catholic, co-educational high school for grades 9-12). The two elementary schools provide a traditional Catholic education with a focus on core academics and faith formation, feeding naturally into Oldenburg Academy. Oldenburg Academy is notable for its college-preparatory curriculum, small class sizes, and historic campus in the Village of Oldenburg. For families in this rural area, these schools represent the main private alternatives to the public Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corporation.
How does tuition at Oldenburg's private schools compare, and are there Indiana-specific financial aid programs available to help with costs?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Louis Catholic School tuition is approximately $4,500-$5,000 for parishioners, while Oldenburg Academy's tuition is roughly $10,000-$11,000. Critically, Indiana state programs can significantly offset these costs for eligible families. The **Indiana Choice Scholarship Program** (vouchers) and the **Indiana Tax Credit Scholarship (SGO) Program** are widely utilized by families at these schools. Eligibility is based on income thresholds and other factors. Both Oldenburg Academy and the elementary schools have staff familiar with the application processes for these state aids, which are a key financial consideration distinguishing Indiana private education from many other states.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Oldenburg, IN, offer that leverage their local context or religious identity?
Private schools in Oldenburg leverage their Franciscan and Catholic heritage to offer unique programs. **Oldenburg Academy** features a required "Franciscan Values" course and offers distinctive electives like Environmental Science, which can utilize the surrounding rural landscape. Its **House System** fosters community. For younger students, **St. Louis** and **St. Mary's** integrate faith into daily learning and often participate in local community service. A notable commonality is the strong emphasis on visual and performing arts, including music and drama productions, which are central to campus life in this tight-knit community. Unlike larger urban private schools, programs here are characterized by high participation rates due to small enrollments.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Oldenburg, and are there considerations for families moving into the area?
The enrollment process for Oldenburg's private schools typically begins with open houses in the winter (January-February) for the following academic year, with priority deadlines for returning families and parishioners often in early spring. **Oldenburg Academy** encourages prospective student visits and may require an entrance assessment. For the elementary schools, baptismal certificates and parish affiliation often play a role in registration priority and tuition rates. Given the small size of the schools, spaces can be limited, especially in specific grades. Families moving to the Oldenburg area outside the standard cycle should contact the school office directly, as mid-year enrollment is possible but subject to availability. Building a relationship with the local parish can also be an important step in the process.
For a family considering both options, what are the key practical differences between the Oldenburg private schools and the local public school district?
The key differences lie in scale, cost, curriculum, and culture. The public option is the **Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corporation** (e.g., Sunman Elementary, East Central High School), which is significantly larger, tuition-free, and offers a broader range of elective courses and athletic teams at the high school level. In contrast, Oldenburg's private schools offer a faith-based education with uniform policies, very small class sizes (often 15:1 or lower), and a consistent values-based environment from Pre-K through 12th grade. The private school community is deeply interconnected, with many families involved in both the elementary schools and the Academy. Transportation is also a major practical difference; while public schools provide busing, private school families in this rural area are generally responsible for their own transportation.