The Best Private Schools in Burlingame, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Burlingame. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Cair Paravel Latin School
Independent
Cair Paravel Latin School is a highly-regarded classical Christian school located in Topeka, approximately 30 minutes from Burlingame. The school offers a distinctive classical education model with Latin curriculum, rigorous college preparatory programs, and strong emphasis on character development. With exceptional faculty and small class sizes, Cair Paravel provides comprehensive STEM programs, competitive athletics, and outstanding fine arts education. The school consistently produces graduates who attend top-tier universities and has maintained excellent parent satisfaction ratings.
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St. Mary's Academy
Catholic Diocese of Salina
St. Mary's Academy is a premier Catholic college preparatory school located approximately 25 minutes from Burlingame in St. Marys, Kansas. Founded in 1931, the academy has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence within a faith-based environment. The school offers rigorous college preparatory curriculum, advanced STEM programs, comprehensive fine arts education, and competitive athletic teams. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, St. Mary's Academy provides personalized attention and maintains high academic standards while fostering spiritual development and community service.
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Santa Fe Trail High School
Santa Fe Trail USD 434
Santa Fe Trail High School serves the Burlingame community as part of USD 434, providing comprehensive college preparatory education with strong academic foundations. The school offers rigorous Advanced Placement courses, robust career technical education programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities including competitive athletics and fine arts programs. Located just 15 minutes from Burlingame in Carbondale, the school has maintained a strong reputation for academic excellence and community involvement for over five decades.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Burlingame, Kansas
What are the specific private school options available for families in and around Burlingame, Kansas?
In the Burlingame area, families have a few distinct private school choices, each with a different educational approach. Within Burlingame itself, Santa Fe Trail High School is a notable option. For a classical Christian education, many families look to Cair Paravel Latin School in nearby Topeka, which is a common commute. For families seeking a Catholic, co-educational K-12 experience, St. Mary's Academy in St. Marys, Kansas, is another regional option. It's important to note that Burlingame is a smaller community, so exploring schools in surrounding Osage County and the greater Topeka area is often necessary to find the right fit for your child.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Burlingame, KS, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Kansas?
Tuition in the Burlingame region varies significantly by school and grade level. As a general guide, local parochial schools like St. Mary's Academy often have lower tuition rates supported by their parish, while independent schools like Cair Paravel Latin School typically have higher tuition. A key financial consideration for Kansas families is the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program. This state program provides scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools by offering tax credits to donors. Additionally, individual schools offer need-based financial aid, and some participate in diocesan aid programs. It's crucial to contact each school's admissions office directly for current tuition schedules and aid applications.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Burlingame students?
Private schools in the Burlingame area often provide specialized programs that leverage their specific missions. For example, Cair Paravel Latin School emphasizes a classical curriculum with core subjects like Latin, logic, and rhetoric, which is unique in the region. St. Mary's Academy, with its Catholic foundation, integrates faith across its curriculum and may offer strong programs in the humanities and service learning. Santa Fe Trail High School, as a smaller private institution, can offer personalized attention and potentially more flexibility in its course offerings. Many of these schools also focus on character development and community service, reflecting the values of the rural and small-town Kansas communities they serve.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Burlingame, Kansas?
The enrollment process for private schools serving Burlingame often begins in the winter for the following academic year, typically between January and March. However, many schools accept applications on a rolling basis if space permits. The process usually involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview or student assessment. For schools like St. Mary's Academy, priority may be given to active parish members and siblings of current students. Given the limited seats in these smaller schools, especially in specific grade levels, it is highly advisable to initiate inquiries early in the calendar year. Open houses or shadow days are highly recommended to experience the school environment firsthand.
How do private schools in Burlingame, Kansas, differ from the public school options, particularly Burlingame Junior-Senior High School?
The primary differences lie in class size, curriculum focus, and educational philosophy. Private schools like Santa Fe Trail High School or regional options offer significantly smaller class sizes, leading to more individualized attention. They also have the freedom to implement specific curricular philosophies, such as classical education or faith-based integration, which are not offered in the public Burlingame Junior-Senior High School. Public schools provide a broad, state-standardized curriculum and typically a wider range of extracurricular activities and sports due to larger student populations. For families in Burlingame, choosing a private school often involves a commute but offers a tailored educational environment aligned with specific values or pedagogical approaches that may not be available in the local public system.
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