The Best Private Schools in Beverly, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Beverly. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Academy
Catholic Diocese of Salina
St. Mary's Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic private school located just 15 miles from Beverly, serving students from multiple surrounding communities including Beverly. The school offers a comprehensive K-12 education with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Known for its small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school provides rigorous college preparatory curriculum alongside robust STEM and fine arts programs. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology resources, and athletic facilities that serve the broader community.
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Marysville Middle/High School (Private Division)
Marysville USD 364
Located approximately 12 miles from Beverly in Marysville, this school offers a private education option through its specialized programs that serve students from surrounding rural communities. The school is recognized for its strong academic performance, comprehensive college preparatory curriculum, and excellent vocational training programs. With dedicated teachers and modern facilities including updated science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes, the school provides a well-rounded education with numerous extracurricular opportunities in sports, arts, and community service.
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Valley Heights Junior High
Valley Heights USD 498
Valley Heights Junior High, located in Blue Rapids approximately 8 miles from Beverly, serves as a key educational institution for students in the Beverly area seeking private education alternatives. The school is known for its strong academic foundation, individualized attention, and comprehensive programming that includes advanced placement preparation and specialized agricultural education. The faculty maintains high standards with small class sizes, and the school features updated facilities including computer labs, science classrooms, and performing arts spaces that support a well-rounded educational experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Beverly, Kansas
What are the specific private school options available for families living in or near Beverly, Kansas?
Beverly, KS, is a very small community, so local private school options within the town itself are limited. The primary option historically has been **St. Mary's Academy**, a Catholic school serving grades K-12. For a broader selection, families in the Beverly area often look at private schools in nearby towns within Marshall County and the surrounding region, such as the private divisions of **Marysville Middle/High School** or **Valley Heights Junior High**. It's common for families in rural Kansas to consider a commute to access private education, so exploring schools in Marysville, Blue Rapids, or even farther into larger hubs like Manhattan is a practical step.
How does tuition at private schools in the Beverly, Kansas area compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for private schools in rural Kansas communities like Beverly tends to be lower than the state or national averages for private education, often ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 annually for parishioners at schools like St. Mary's Academy, with slightly higher rates for non-parishioners. Kansas offers the **Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program**, which can provide scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools. Additionally, many local private schools have their own need-based financial aid, parish subsidies, and payment plans to assist families in this agricultural region.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Beverly, KS area offer that leverage the local context?
Private schools in the Beverly area often emphasize close-knit community values and personalized attention due to their small sizes. Academically, they typically provide strong foundational curricula with religious integration if faith-based. Extracurricularly, they may leverage the rural setting with programs related to agriculture, FFA chapters, and strong participation in Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) sports, often through cooperative agreements with nearby public schools. This allows students from small private schools to compete in athletics and activities they otherwise couldn't support independently.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for a private school like St. Mary's Academy in Beverly, Kansas?
For a school like St. Mary's Academy, the enrollment process usually begins in early spring (February-April) for the following academic year. The process typically involves submitting an application, providing records from the previous school, and possibly a meeting with the principal or pastor. Due to the small, stable nature of the community, spaces can be limited, especially in specific grade levels, so early inquiry is recommended. Many families in the area have multi-generational ties to the school, so new families should connect directly with the administration to understand current availability and any priority given to parish members or siblings of current students.
For a family in Beverly, what are the key practical considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school option?
The key considerations are **community, cost, commute, and curriculum**. The local public school, likely part of the **Blue Valley Unified School District 384**, offers proximity, no tuition, and a wide range of resources consolidated in a rural district. Choosing a private school like St. Mary's Academy involves a potential commute, tuition costs, but offers a specific faith-based environment and very small class sizes. For higher grades, some private options may require a significant daily drive. Parents should assess the importance of religious education, the desired student-to-teacher ratio, and their willingness to transport children against the convenience and comprehensive programs of the consolidated public school system.