The Best Private Schools in Rockville, Indiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rockville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Saint Paul's Catholic School
Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Saint Paul's Catholic School provides a comprehensive Catholic education serving families throughout west-central Indiana, including Rockville area residents. The school offers small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong emphasis on faith-based character development alongside rigorous academics. Their curriculum includes advanced STEM programs, fine arts, and comprehensive extracurricular activities. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction ratings and serves as a regional educational hub for families seeking private Catholic education with proven academic results.
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The Children's Montessori School
American Montessori Society
The Children's Montessori School is a highly-regarded private institution serving the broader west-central Indiana region, including Rockville families. Following authentic Montessori principles, the school provides individualized education that fosters independence, critical thinking, and lifelong learning skills. With experienced AMS-certified teachers and carefully prepared classroom environments, the school offers programs from early childhood through elementary levels. The school is noted for its strong community involvement, excellent teacher retention, and high parent satisfaction ratings.
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St. Bernard's Catholic School
Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
St. Bernard's Catholic School serves as a regional educational institution drawing students from multiple counties, including Parke County where Rockville is located. With over six decades of educational excellence, the school provides a strong faith-based academic foundation with comprehensive programs in core subjects, technology integration, and character development. The school features modern facilities, dedicated faculty with low turnover, and a wide range of extracurricular activities including competitive athletics. Parents consistently rate the school highly for academic preparation and community atmosphere.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rockville, Indiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in Rockville, Indiana, and what are their educational philosophies?
Rockville, Indiana, offers a few established private school options, each with a distinct approach. Saint Paul's Catholic School and St. Bernard's Catholic School provide faith-based, traditional education rooted in Catholic values. The Children's Montessori School offers a child-centered, hands-on Montessori curriculum. Given Rockville's smaller size, these schools cover the core K-8 grades, but families often need to look to nearby larger towns like Terre Haute or Indianapolis for private high school options. It's important to visit each to understand their specific community and teaching style.
How does tuition for private schools in Rockville, IN, compare to state averages, and are there any Indiana-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition at Rockville's private schools is generally below the Indiana state average for private education, reflecting the area's cost of living. For the 2023-2024 school year, local Catholic school tuition often ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 annually, while the Montessori school may be slightly higher. Indiana-specific aid is crucial: all families can apply for the state's School Choice Scholarship (voucher) program, which provides funding based on income eligibility. Additionally, the Indiana Tax Credit Scholarship program allows donors to support scholarship-granting organizations, further increasing financial aid opportunities for Rockville families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Rockville's private schools offer that leverage the local community or environment?
Rockville's private schools often integrate the local environment and heritage into their programs. Given Parke County's identity as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World," schools may incorporate local history, field trips to the Covered Bridge Festival, and STEM projects related to engineering and preservation. Saint Paul's and St. Bernard's may emphasize community service through local churches and organizations. The Montessori school's hands-on philosophy aligns well with nature-based learning, potentially using nearby state parks like Turkey Run or Shades for ecological studies, offering a unique rural Indiana educational experience.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Rockville, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process in Rockville typically begins in January or February for the following fall, with priority often given to parishioners for the Catholic schools and to returning families/siblings. The Children's Montessori School may have a more rolling admissions policy but encourages early inquiry due to limited spaces. Given the small size of these schools, popular grades can have waitlists, especially in early childhood programs. It's highly recommended to contact the schools directly in the fall prior to your desired enrollment year, schedule a tour, and complete applications by early spring. Some schools may require a readiness assessment or family interview.
For families considering the choice, how do the private schools in Rockville, IN, compare academically and socially to the Rockville Elementary/High School public system?
The key difference lies in class size, educational approach, and religious integration. Rockville's private schools offer very small class sizes (often 10-15 students), allowing for highly individualized attention, whereas the public Rockville Consolidated Elementary and High School serves a broader district. Academically, private schools may follow a specific curriculum (like Montessori or a diocesan standard) and often have strong foundational test scores. Socially, the private schools offer tight-knit, consistent communities from K-8. The public system provides a larger, more diverse peer group, extensive extracurriculars (like athletics and agriculture programs), and no tuition. The choice often hinges on a family's desire for a specific values-based education versus the comprehensive offerings of a consolidated public school.