The Best Private Schools in Edwardsville, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Edwardsville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. James Academy
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
St. James Academy is a Catholic college preparatory high school serving the Edwardsville and broader Kansas City area. Known for its rigorous academic programs and strong faith-based community, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum with advanced placement courses, robust STEM programs, and competitive athletics. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, St. James maintains high college acceptance rates and strong parent satisfaction scores.
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The Barstow School
Independent
The Barstow School is a highly respected independent day school serving students from preschool through 12th grade, including families from the Edwardsville area. As an International Baccalaureate World School, Barstow offers a globally-focused education with strong emphasis on critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including innovation labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Barstow provides personalized attention and has a track record of graduates attending top-tier universities nationwide.
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Pembroke Hill School
Independent
Pembroke Hill School is a premier independent school serving the Kansas City metropolitan area, including Edwardsville families. The school offers a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school with a strong college preparatory focus. Pembroke Hill features extensive Advanced Placement course offerings, championship athletic programs, and outstanding arts facilities. The school's urban campus includes modern classrooms, science and technology labs, and performing arts spaces. Known for its academic excellence and strong community values, Pembroke Hill maintains high graduation rates and college matriculation records.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Edwardsville, Kansas
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Edwardsville, Kansas, and what are their key characteristics?
While Edwardsville itself is a smaller city, families here have access to several highly-regarded private schools in the immediate Kansas City metro area. The most prominent options include St. James Academy in Lenexa (a Catholic, college-preparatory high school), The Barstow School in Kansas City, MO (a co-educational, independent day school serving grades K-12), and Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, MO (an independent school with two campuses). It's important to note that these schools are located in neighboring communities, so daily commuting is a key consideration for Edwardsville residents. Many families also consider smaller parochial elementary schools in nearby cities like Bonner Springs or Basehor as part of their search.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Edwardsville, KS, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Kansas City region accessible to Edwardsville families is generally above the Kansas state average for private education, reflecting their extensive programs and facilities. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at schools like Barstow and Pembroke Hill can range from approximately $25,000 to $30,000 for upper grades. St. James Academy, as a diocesan Catholic school, often has a lower tuition point, typically in the $10,000-$15,000 range. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and St. James offers parish subsidies for active members. Kansas also has the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program, which can provide scholarships for eligible families to attend private schools, a crucial financial consideration for Kansas residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Edwardsville area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools serving the Edwardsville community often provide specialized programs not always available in the public district (Bonner Springs-Edwardsville USD 204). For example, St. James Academy has a strong focus on faith-based leadership and a renowned robotics program. The Barstow School emphasizes global studies and innovation, with programs like its "Innovation Diploma" and extensive international travel. Pembroke Hill School is known for its rigorous academic curriculum, exceptional arts programs, and competitive athletic conferences. These schools often have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention and unique electives, such as specialized STEM tracks, comprehensive world language instruction starting in lower grades, and distinctive arts conservatories.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for families in Edwardsville applying to schools like St. James Academy, Barstow, or Pembroke Hill?
The enrollment process for these selective private schools is comprehensive and requires early planning. The timeline typically begins in the fall, a full year before desired entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held September-November), submitting an application by January or February deadlines, providing standardized test scores (like the ISEE or HSPT), school records, teacher recommendations, and completing a family/student interview. Admissions decisions are usually communicated in March. For St. James Academy, priority is given to Catholic families from supporting parishes, so connecting with a local parish is an important early step for interested Edwardsville residents. It is highly advised to start the process 12-18 months in advance.
For a family living in Edwardsville, KS, what are the major practical considerations when choosing between the local public school district (USD 204) and a private school in the metro area?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. First is **commute**: Attending a private school like Barstow or Pembroke Hill involves a significant daily drive into Missouri, while St. James Academy is a shorter commute to Lenexa. Second is **cost**: Comparing no-cost public education to substantial private tuition plus transportation costs is paramount. Third is **educational focus**: USD 204 provides a solid, comprehensive public education with its own extracurriculars, while private options offer specific religious formation (St. James) or independent college-prep curricula with different resource allocations. Finally, **community**: Parents must decide if they prefer their child's primary social and academic community to be hyper-local (Edwardsville/Bonner Springs) or drawn from a wider regional pool across the KC metro, which can impact logistics for friendships and activities.
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