The Best Private Schools in Durham, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Durham. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. John's Lutheran School
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
St. John's Lutheran School is a highly-regarded Christian private school serving students from Durham and surrounding communities. With over 75 years of educational excellence, the school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program that integrates faith-based learning with rigorous academics. The school features small class sizes, dedicated certified teachers, and a strong emphasis on character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, a gymnasium, and dedicated spaces for music and art programs. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, strong community feel, and excellent academic preparation for high school.
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Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Durham and the broader central Kansas region. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with advanced placement courses, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. With a 100% college acceptance rate, Sacred Heart emphasizes academic excellence while fostering spiritual growth and community service. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. Parent reviews highlight the outstanding faculty, strong sense of community, and exceptional college preparation.
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St. Joseph Elementary School
Catholic Diocese of Wichita
St. Joseph Elementary School provides exceptional Catholic education to students from Durham and surrounding communities in central Kansas. Serving Pre-K through 8th grade, the school combines faith formation with strong academic foundations, including specialized STEM programs and comprehensive music education. The school features dedicated early childhood classrooms, a well-equipped library, computer lab, and playground facilities. Known for its family atmosphere and committed teachers, St. Joseph's maintains small class sizes that allow for individualized attention. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's academic standards, safe environment, and strong community values.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Durham, Kansas
What are the private school options for families in Durham, Kansas, and what grade levels do they serve?
Durham, Kansas, is served by three primary private, faith-based institutions. St. John's Lutheran School typically offers a Pre-K through 8th-grade program. Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School, located in nearby Salina but serving the regional community including Durham, provides education for grades 7-12. St. Joseph Elementary School, also part of the Salina Diocese, generally covers Pre-K through 6th grade. Given Durham's small size, families often look to these specific schools or consider private options in neighboring towns like Salina for a broader selection. Transportation to schools outside Durham is a key logistical consideration for local parents.
How does tuition at private schools in the Durham, Kansas, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Kansas?
Tuition for the private schools serving Durham is generally modest compared to urban areas but is a significant consideration for rural families. For the 2023-2024 school year, typical ranges were approximately $2,500-$4,500 annually for elementary grades at St. John's or St. Joseph, with higher rates for junior/senior high at Sacred Heart. Critically, Kansas offers the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools. Additionally, all three schools offer parish subsidies for active members, multi-child discounts, and need-based financial aid. It's essential to contact each school's office directly for the most current rates and aid applications.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Durham area offer that reflect the local community?
Private schools in the Durham area emphasize strong core academics within a faith-based framework and often integrate agricultural and community values. Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School, for instance, may offer FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapters and agriscience courses that resonate with rural Kansas families. All schools typically feature robust religion classes and weekly chapel or Mass. Due to their smaller sizes, they often offer personalized attention and multi-grade classroom experiences. Extracurriculars like athletics (often through cooperative agreements with local public schools), music, and academic competitions are common, with a focus on participation and character development aligned with Midwestern values.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Durham, Kansas, and is there a priority for local residents?
Enrollment for the upcoming school year often opens in January or February, with priority given to currently enrolled families, siblings, and active parishioners of the supporting churches. For families new to Durham or the surrounding area, it is advisable to contact the school office by early spring. The process usually involves submitting an application, providing birth and baptismal certificates (if applicable), academic records, and often a family interview. Given the close-knit nature of these school communities, spaces can be limited, especially in specific grade levels, so early inquiry is recommended. Some schools may host open houses in the winter months.
For a family in Durham, what are the key factors when choosing between the local public school (Central Plains USD 112) and a private school option?
The decision often centers on educational philosophy, religious formation, and school size. Durham's public schools are part of the Central Plains USD 112 district, offering a secular education with a broad curriculum and potentially more extensive resources for specialized programs. The private options (St. John's, St. Joseph's, Sacred Heart) provide daily religious instruction and a values-based environment in smaller, community-focused settings. For junior high and high school, parents must consider the commitment to commuting to Sacred Heart in Salina versus attending the local public junior/senior high. Many families value the continuity of a K-8 private education before transitioning to public high school, or vice versa. Cost, transportation, and the desire for a specific faith-based foundation are the primary differentiators in Durham.