The Best Private Schools in Burlington, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Burlington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Sacred Heart Elementary School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Sacred Heart Elementary School provides a comprehensive Catholic education with strong academic foundations. Located in nearby Emporia (approximately 30 minutes from Burlington), this well-established school offers small class sizes, individualized attention, and a values-based education. The curriculum includes robust STEM programs, fine arts, and religious studies, creating a balanced educational experience. With excellent teacher-student ratios and a supportive community environment, the school has maintained high parent satisfaction and strong academic outcomes for decades.
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Cair Paravel Latin School
Independent
Cair Paravel Latin School is a highly-regarded classical Christian school located in Topeka (approximately 1 hour from Burlington). The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with a classical education approach, including Latin instruction, logic, rhetoric, and advanced placement courses. With excellent facilities, competitive athletics programs, and strong arts offerings, Cair Paravel provides a comprehensive private education experience. The school consistently achieves high academic standards and college acceptance rates, making it a top choice for families seeking classical education in eastern Kansas.
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Holy Name Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Holy Name Catholic School in Topeka serves students from preschool through 8th grade with a strong academic and faith-based education. The school features modern technology integration, comprehensive music and arts programs, and a well-developed early childhood education curriculum. With dedicated faculty and a supportive parent community, Holy Name maintains small class sizes and individualized learning approaches. The school's location in Topeka makes it accessible for Burlington-area families seeking a quality Catholic education with proven academic results and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Burlington, Kansas
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Burlington, Kansas?
Burlington, Kansas, offers a limited but dedicated selection of private schools, primarily with religious affiliations. The main institutions are Sacred Heart Elementary School (Catholic, typically serving grades K-6), Holy Name Catholic School (Catholic, serving grades Pre-K through 6), and Cair Paravel Latin School (Christian classical, serving grades 6-12). For a continuous K-12 private education in Burlington, a family might transition from Sacred Heart or Holy Name to Cair Paravel for middle and high school. Given the rural setting, these schools provide essential alternatives to the public system, and parents often consider schools in nearby larger communities like Topeka for additional options.
How does tuition at Burlington, KS private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition at Burlington's private schools is generally below the Kansas state average for private education, reflecting the area's cost of living. For the 2023-2024 school year, elementary tuition at Sacred Heart or Holy Name typically ranges from $2,500 to $4,000 annually, while Cair Paravel Latin School's tuition for grades 6-12 is approximately $6,000-$7,000. All three schools offer need-based financial aid, and importantly, they participate in the Kansas Tax Credit Scholarship Program. This program allows donors to contribute to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) and receive a state tax credit, which in turn funds scholarships for eligible students, making private school more accessible for Burlington families.
What unique academic or programmatic specialties do private schools in Burlington, Kansas, offer?
Burlington's private schools provide distinct educational approaches not widely available in the local public system. Cair Paravel Latin School is particularly notable for its classical Christian education model, emphasizing Latin, logic, rhetoric, and Great Books. This is a unique specialization in the region. Both Catholic elementary schools (Sacred Heart and Holy Name) integrate faith-based education with core academics and often have strong community service components. Due to their smaller sizes, all Burlington private schools can offer personalized attention and may have unique extracurriculars tied to their missions, such as theology clubs or classical competitions, that are specific to their institutional identities.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Burlington, KS?
The enrollment process for Burlington's private schools usually begins in early winter (January-February) for the following academic year, with re-enrollment for current families taking priority. Interested parents should contact the school office directly to schedule a tour and request an application packet. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview. For the Catholic schools, preference may be given to parishioners. Due to the small cohort sizes, especially at Cair Paravel for middle/high school grades, spaces can be limited. It's highly advisable for Burlington parents to initiate contact well before the public school district's registration period to secure a spot and complete any necessary financial aid paperwork through the SGO system.
For a family in Burlington, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school option?
The decision in Burlington often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and religious instruction. Burlington's public schools (USD 244) provide a comprehensive, tuition-free education with standard extracurriculars. The private options offer much smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), a specific faith-based environment (Catholic or Christian), and distinct curricula like the classical model at Cair Paravel. For families seeking daily religious education or a classical approach, the private schools are the only local option. Transportation can be a factor, as private schools in Kansas are not required to provide bus service. Ultimately, the choice involves weighing the value of a specialized, mission-driven education against the cost of tuition and the broader offerings of the public school system in this small Kansas community.