The Best Private Schools in Damar, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Damar. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Nicholas Catholic School
Diocese of Salina
St. Nicholas Catholic School serves students from Damar and surrounding rural communities with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education. The school emphasizes strong Catholic values integrated with rigorous academics. Features include small class sizes, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years teaching experience, modern technology integration, and extensive extracurricular offerings including sports, music, and community service programs. The school has maintained accreditation through the Kansas State Department of Education and provides bus transportation for students from outlying areas including Damar.
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Thomas More Prep-Marian
Diocese of Salina
Thomas More Prep-Marian is a Catholic co-educational college preparatory school serving grades 6-12, with boarding options available for students from rural communities like Damar. The school offers a challenging academic curriculum with 15+ Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. With a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, TMP provides personalized attention and strong college counseling. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complex. The school has a 100% college acceptance rate and serves as a regional educational hub for western Kansas.
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Holy Family Elementary School
Diocese of Salina
Holy Family Elementary School provides Catholic education for students in Pre-K through 5th grade, serving families from Damar and the broader Hays area. The school focuses on foundational academic skills while integrating faith throughout the curriculum. Features include dedicated reading specialists, technology-enhanced classrooms, comprehensive music and art programs, and before/after school care. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community partnerships. With experienced faculty and a nurturing environment, Holy Family prepares students for continued success in middle school and beyond, offering transportation options for rural students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Damar, Kansas
What are the private school options available for families in and around Damar, Kansas?
Damar, Kansas, is a very small rural community, so the immediate private school options within the town itself are limited. However, families in the area typically look to nearby Hays, Kansas, which hosts the region's primary private institutions. The top schools serving Damar families include St. Nicholas Catholic School (PreK-6) and Thomas More Prep-Marian (7-12), both in Hays, and Holy Family Elementary School (PreK-6) also in Hays. These schools are considered the central private education hubs for the Damar area, with many students commuting. There are no private high schools physically located in Damar itself.
How does the tuition at private schools like Thomas More Prep-Marian compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist for Kansas families?
Tuition at schools like Thomas More Prep-Marian (TMP) in Hays is generally below the national private school average but is a significant consideration for families in rural Kansas. For the 2023-2024 school year, TMP's high school tuition was approximately $6,000-$7,000. Kansas offers specific financial aid options that Damar-area families can utilize, most notably the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program. This allows donors to contribute to scholarship-granting organizations and receive a tax credit, with funds then distributed as need-based scholarships to eligible students attending private schools. Additionally, most schools, including the Catholic schools in Hays, offer parish subsidies for members, multi-child discounts, and their own need-based financial aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Damar, KS, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools in Hays that serve Damar families emphasize college preparatory curricula and faith-based education. Thomas More Prep-Marian offers a distinctive block schedule, advanced placement (AP) courses, and a strong emphasis on leadership and service learning rooted in its Catholic tradition. For younger students, St. Nicholas and Holy Family Elementary provide a structured environment with integrated religious education. A notable differentiator in this rural area is the ability to maintain smaller class sizes and specialized attention, which can be a contrast to the consolidated, larger rural public school districts. Additionally, TMP offers competitive athletics and activities that draw from a wider regional area, providing opportunities sometimes not available in very small public schools.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for families in Damar looking to secure a spot at a school like St. Nicholas Catholic School or Holy Family Elementary?
The enrollment process for the primary private elementary schools in Hays (St. Nicholas and Holy Family) typically begins in January or February for the following academic year. Priority is often given to current families, siblings of enrolled students, and active members of the supporting Catholic parishes. Families from Damar should contact the school office directly to express interest, schedule a tour, and obtain an application packet. The process usually involves submitting an application, student records, and possibly a family interview. It's crucial for Damar families to apply early, as spaces, particularly in specific grade levels, can be limited. For Thomas More Prep-Marian, open houses and shadow days for prospective 7th-12th grade students are commonly held in the fall.
For a family in rural Damar, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and commuting to a private school in Hays?
The decision involves weighing several location-specific factors. The local public school for Damar students is likely part of a consolidated rural district (such as Palco or Otis-Bison), which may involve a bus ride. Choosing a private school in Hays adds a significant daily commute (approximately 30-45 minutes each way), which impacts family logistics and costs. Parents must consider the educational philosophy: public schools provide a secular education with a broad cross-section of the community, while Hays private schools offer a faith-based environment and often a more traditional, structured academic approach. Extracurricular opportunities may differ in scale and variety. Ultimately, for Damar families, it's a choice between the convenience and community connection of the local public school and the specific religious, academic, and smaller community environment offered by the private schools in Hays, despite the commute.