The Best Private Schools in Barnard, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Barnard. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. John's Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
St. John's Catholic School is a highly-regarded private institution located approximately 15 miles from Barnard in Beloit. Serving students from preschool through 8th grade, this established Catholic school provides a comprehensive education grounded in faith-based values. The school features small class sizes, dedicated certified teachers, and a robust curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, language arts, science, and religious education. Facilities include modern classrooms, a library, computer lab, and gymnasium. Extracurricular offerings include basketball, volleyball, music programs, and community service opportunities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, academic rigor, and strong sense of community.
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North Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative
NCKSEC
While primarily serving special education needs, this highly-rated cooperative provides exceptional private educational services to students throughout the north central Kansas region, including Barnard. The institution offers comprehensive educational programs tailored to individual student needs, featuring certified special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and school psychologists. The cooperative operates multiple specialized classrooms and therapeutic spaces designed to support diverse learning needs. Families appreciate the personalized attention, professional staff, and commitment to student success. The program maintains strong partnerships with local school districts while operating as an independent educational service provider.
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St. Joseph's Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Located approximately 25 miles from Barnard in Concordia, St. Joseph's Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade with a reputation for academic excellence and character development. The school features a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes core academic subjects while integrating technology and faith formation. Facilities include modern classrooms, a science lab, computer technology center, library, and gymnasium. The school offers various extracurricular activities including sports teams, music programs, and academic competitions. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's dedicated teachers, safe learning environment, and strong community values. The institution maintains accreditation and has a long history of preparing students for success in high school and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Barnard, Kansas
What are the private school options available specifically in Barnard, Kansas, and what grades do they serve?
Barnard, Kansas, is a very small rural community, so private school options within the town itself are limited. The primary option is **St. John's Catholic School**, which typically serves elementary-aged students. For broader or specialized needs, families often look to nearby communities. For instance, the **North Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative** provides services across multiple districts, including for private school students with IEPs. **St. Joseph's Catholic School** is located in nearby Lincoln, KS. This means Barnard parents frequently consider a small network of faith-based schools in the region, with commuting being a standard part of the private school experience in this area of north-central Kansas.
How does tuition at Barnard-area private schools compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options for Kansas residents?
Tuition for private schools serving Barnard, like St. John's Catholic School, is generally below the state average for Kansas private schools due to the lower cost of living in rural areas. Annual tuition often ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 per student, but you must confirm directly with the school. As Kansas residents, families may be eligible for the **Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program**, which provides scholarships funded by donations from businesses that receive a tax credit. Individual schools also may offer parish subsidies for members, sibling discounts, and need-based financial aid. It's crucial to inquire early about application processes for these programs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Barnard area offer that differentiate them from the public district?
Given their small size, private schools in the Barnard area, such as St. John's, emphasize a tight-knit community and values-based education integrated with Catholic teachings. Academically, they often provide a structured, core-subject-focused curriculum with multi-grade classrooms, which can foster leadership and mentorship among students. Extracurriculars are necessarily limited but may include religious activities, local science fairs, and community service projects deeply tied to the town. The key differentiator from the public Beloit USD 273 district is the infusion of faith throughout the school day and typically smaller class sizes, allowing for highly individualized attention in a rural setting.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a private school like St. John's in Barnard, KS?
For a small school like St. John's Catholic School in Barnard, the enrollment process is personal and often begins with a family visiting the school and meeting with the principal or pastor. There is typically no rigid, big-city deadline, but enrollment for the fall is best finalized by the prior spring (March-May). The process usually involves submitting an application form, providing birth and baptismal certificates (for Catholic families), immunization records, and possibly a small registration fee. Because class sizes are extremely small, spots can fill quickly, especially in primary grades. It is highly recommended to contact the school office directly, even a year in advance, to express interest and understand current availability.
For a family in Barnard, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school option?
The decision hinges on several Barnard-specific factors. The public school option is **Beloit USD 273**, which requires a bus ride or drive to Beloit (about 15-20 minutes). It offers a wider range of extracurriculars, sports, and potentially more specialized staff due to larger class sizes. The private option, like St. John's, offers a faith-based environment and potentially a shorter commute within Barnard itself, but with far fewer extracurricular resources. Transportation is a major practical consideration, as private schools do not provide district busing. Parents must also weigh the cost of tuition against the no-cost public option and consider how important religious instruction and a very small, familial student body are for their child's development in a rural Kansas context.