The Best Private Schools in Sheridan, Indiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Sheridan. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Guerin Catholic High School
Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Guerin Catholic is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory high school serving students throughout Hamilton County, including Sheridan. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 23 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM program. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside academic excellence, with a 100% college acceptance rate and average ACT scores consistently above state and national averages.
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The Orchard School
Independent
The Orchard School is an esteemed independent school serving students from preschool through 8th grade, with many families commuting from surrounding communities including Sheridan. The school features a 43-acre campus with extensive outdoor learning environments, modern classrooms, and specialized facilities for arts and sciences. Orchard's progressive education approach emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and character development. The school maintains small class sizes with a 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio and offers comprehensive extracurricular programs.
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St. Theodore Guerin High School
Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
St. Theodore Guerin High School (commonly known as Guerin Catholic) serves students from multiple counties including those from Sheridan. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with emphasis on spiritual formation and service learning. Academic programs include honors and AP courses across all disciplines, with strong performing arts and athletic programs. The campus features modern facilities including technology-enhanced classrooms, science laboratories, and competitive sports facilities. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and high student satisfaction rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Sheridan, Indiana
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Sheridan, Indiana?
While Sheridan itself is a smaller town, families have access to several highly-regarded private schools in the surrounding Hamilton and Boone County area. The most prominent options include Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville (a diocesan college-prep school), The Orchard School in Indianapolis (a progressive, independent Pre-K-8 school), and St. Theodore Guerin High School (now known simply as Guerin Catholic). For younger grades, families often also consider local Catholic elementary schools like St. Joseph School in Sheridan or St. Maria Goretti in Westfield. It's important to note that these schools require commuting, as Sheridan does not host a large, independent private secondary campus within its immediate town limits.
How does the tuition for private schools near Sheridan, IN, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for the top private schools serving the Sheridan area typically ranges from approximately $8,500 to $20,000+ annually for high school, which is at or above the Indiana state average for private schools. Indiana offers significant financial mechanisms to help offset these costs. The most impactful is the state's School Choice Scholarship (voucher) program, which provides income-based vouchers for students to attend participating private schools. Many families in Sheridan utilize this program. Additionally, all the major schools like Guerin Catholic offer their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Indiana also has a 529-approved plan (Indiana Education Savings Authority) where contributions are state tax-deductible, which can be used for K-12 private tuition.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable at the private schools accessible from Sheridan, Indiana?
Schools serving the Sheridan community emphasize distinct programs to attract families. Guerin Catholic High School has a strong focus on STEM through its "Guerin Engineering Program" and boasts championship-caliber athletics in the Circle City Conference. The Orchard School is renowned for its experiential, child-centered learning model and extensive outdoor education utilizing its 43-acre campus. For families seeking a faith-based environment, the Catholic schools integrate theology and service learning throughout their curriculum. Given Sheridan's semi-rural location, many of these schools also offer robust agriculture-related clubs or environmental science programs that resonate with local interests, alongside standard offerings in arts, music, and theater.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Guerin Catholic that serve Sheridan, Indiana families?
The enrollment process for in-demand schools near Sheridan is competitive and begins early. For high schools like Guerin Catholic, the process for incoming freshmen typically starts with open houses in the fall (September-October) of a student's 8th-grade year. Application deadlines are often in early winter (December/January), followed by placement testing (HSPT) and family interviews. Admission decisions are usually released in February or March. For schools like The Orchard, which has a rolling but competitive admission for younger grades, it is advisable to apply a full year in advance. Key steps for all schools include submitting applications, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often attending a shadow day. Early inquiry is strongly recommended.
For a family in Sheridan, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school district to private school options?
Sheridan Community Schools is a small, single-campus K-12 district known for its tight-knit community. The primary considerations for choosing private alternatives often involve educational approach, class size, and specific programs. Private schools offer smaller average class sizes (e.g., 15-20 students vs. potentially larger public classes) and specialized curricular approaches (college-prep, faith-based, or progressive). However, this comes with tuition costs, whereas public schools are tax-funded. Families must also consider the daily commute to private schools in Noblesville or Indianapolis, which can be 25-45 minutes from Sheridan. For high school, some seek the broader athletic and academic opportunities in larger private conferences, while others value the continuity and local pride of Sheridan's public system, which also offers college dual-credit and AP courses.