The Best Private Schools in Hiawatha, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hiawatha. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Maur Hill-Mount Academy
Benedictine College
Maur Hill-Mount Academy is a premier Catholic, college preparatory boarding and day school located approximately 30 miles from Hiawatha. Founded by Benedictine monks, the school offers a rigorous academic program including International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses. The 50-acre campus features modern academic facilities, athletic complexes, and residential halls. With small class sizes and a 9:1 student-teacher ratio, students receive personalized attention. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and offers comprehensive extracurricular programs including competitive athletics, performing arts, and community service opportunities.
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St. Mary's Academy
Catholic Diocese of Salina
St. Mary's Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic private school located approximately 25 miles from Hiawatha in St. Benedict. The school provides a classical Catholic education from preschool through 12th grade, emphasizing academic excellence, character formation, and spiritual development. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics and science programs, comprehensive language arts, and extensive fine arts offerings. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and a historic chapel. With strong parent involvement and a tight-knit community atmosphere, the school maintains high academic standards and excellent college placement records.
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Sabetha Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Sabetha Christian Academy is a respected private Christian school located approximately 20 miles from Hiawatha. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum integrated with biblical worldview education. The academic program emphasizes STEM subjects, language arts, and critical thinking skills. Facilities include modern classrooms, technology labs, a gymnasium, and outdoor athletic fields. The school maintains small class sizes and offers diverse extracurricular activities including competitive sports, music programs, and community service projects. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's strong academic outcomes and character development focus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hiawatha, Kansas
What are the primary private school options available for families in Hiawatha, Kansas, and what are their core educational models?
Hiawatha itself has limited on-site private schools, but families in the area commonly consider several established institutions in nearby communities. The most prominent are Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison (a Catholic, co-ed, college-preparatory boarding and day school), St. Mary's Academy in St. Benedict (a private Catholic school), and Sabetha Christian Academy in Sabetha. These schools offer distinct models: Maur Hill-Mount provides a rigorous college-prep environment with boarding options, while St. Mary's and Sabetha Christian offer faith-based education rooted in Catholic and Christian traditions, respectively. For Hiawatha residents, commuting is a standard part of accessing private education, with drives ranging from 20 to 45 minutes.
How does tuition for private schools in the Hiawatha, Kansas area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Kansas families?
Tuition in the Hiawatha area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at Maur Hill-Mount Academy is approximately $10,000-$12,000, while parish-supported schools like St. Mary's Academy often have lower rates, typically ranging from $3,500 to $5,000 for affiliated families. Sabetha Christian Academy's tuition is generally in a similar mid-range. Importantly, Kansas does not have a statewide voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, so financial aid is primarily offered directly by the schools through need-based grants, parish subsidies, and merit scholarships. Many families also utilize the Kansas 529 Education Savings Plan for qualified expenses.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Hiawatha, KS, students?
Schools in this region often leverage their specific missions to offer unique programs. Maur Hill-Mount Academy, as a college-prep school, features Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a dedicated International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and distinctive extracurriculars like rowing. St. Mary's Academy emphasizes its Catholic liberal arts curriculum and often has strong agricultural or FFA programs reflective of the rural community. Sabetha Christian Academy integrates biblical worldview across all subjects and may offer tailored programs in music or ministry. For Hiawatha students interested in agriculture, STEM, or faith-based learning, these schools provide specialized tracks not always available in the local public district.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools near Hiawatha, Kansas?
The process and timeline depend on the school. Maur Hill-Mount Academy, with its boarding component, has a rolling admissions process but encourages applications by early spring for the following fall, especially for international students. Local day schools like St. Mary's Academy and Sabetha Christian Academy often have key deadlines in late winter or early spring (February-March) for the next academic year, with registration and parish verification (for Catholic schools) required shortly after acceptance. Open houses typically occur in the fall and winter. Given the limited seats in these smaller schools, Hiawatha families are advised to initiate inquiries by November and complete applications by February to secure placement.
For a family in Hiawatha, what are the major considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school in a neighboring town?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. First is commute: attending a private school means a daily drive to Atchison, St. Benedict, or Sabetha, which impacts family logistics and transportation costs. Second is educational philosophy: Hiawatha USD 415 offers a comprehensive K-12 public education, while private options provide specific religious formation (Catholic or Christian) or a college-prep boarding environment. Third is cost: public school is tuition-free, whereas private school requires direct tuition payments. Finally, consider community and extracurriculars: your child may be in a smaller, close-knit faith-based community but could have fewer immediate local peers from Hiawatha compared to the neighborhood public school. Visiting both the Hiawatha public schools and the private options is crucial.