The Best Private Schools in Holyrood, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Holyrood. 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 located just 15 miles from Holyrood in Ellsworth. Serving students from preschool through 8th grade, the school offers a comprehensive academic program integrated with Christian values and teachings. The curriculum emphasizes strong foundational skills in reading, mathematics, and science while incorporating technology and hands-on learning. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and the school maintains excellent teacher-student ratios. Extracurricular activities include choir, athletics, and community service projects. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and strong sense of community. The school has served families throughout Ellsworth County and surrounding areas for over four decades.
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Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Sacred Heart is a premier Catholic college-preparatory school located approximately 35 miles from Holyrood in Salina. Serving grades 7-12, the school offers a rigorous academic program with advanced placement courses, dual credit opportunities, and comprehensive college counseling. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. Students benefit from a wide range of extracurricular activities including competitive sports, drama productions, music programs, and community service initiatives. The school maintains a strong tradition of academic excellence with graduates consistently gaining admission to top universities. Parents report high satisfaction with the school's commitment to character development, academic challenge, and faith formation.
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Holy Family Elementary School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Holy Family Elementary School serves students from preschool through 6th grade and is located approximately 45 miles from Holyrood in Great Bend. The school provides a strong foundation in core academic subjects while integrating Catholic values throughout the curriculum. Features include modern classroom technology, dedicated science and computer labs, and a comprehensive reading program. The school emphasizes character development and community involvement through various service projects and family activities. Small class sizes allow for individualized instruction and strong teacher-student relationships. Parents appreciate the safe, nurturing environment and the school's commitment to academic excellence combined with faith formation. The school has served families throughout central Kansas for over five decades.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Holyrood, Kansas
What are the private school options available for families in Holyrood, Kansas, and what grade levels do they serve?
Holyrood, KS, is served by a small cluster of faith-based private schools. The primary options are St. John's Lutheran School (typically preschool through 8th grade), Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School (grades 7-12), and Holy Family Elementary School. This structure means families often transition from an elementary school like St. John's or Holy Family to Sacred Heart for junior high and high school. Given the rural setting, these are the central private institutions, and families from surrounding communities in Ellsworth County may also attend, creating a close-knit educational environment.
How does tuition at Holyrood's private schools compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Kansas families?
Tuition at Holyrood's private schools is generally modest compared to urban counterparts, reflecting the local cost of living, but is a significant consideration for rural families. Rates vary; for example, parishioner rates at affiliated churches are often lower. Kansas offers specific financial aid options that Holyrood families can utilize, most notably the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program. This program allows donors to receive tax credits for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations, which then provide need-based scholarships for private school tuition. Additionally, schools like Sacred Heart may have their own parish-supported aid or payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Holyrood's private schools offer that leverage their rural Kansas setting?
Holyrood's private schools often integrate their rural context into their programs. Academically, this might include agricultural science modules, local Kansas history emphases, and practical math applications. Extracurricularly, while offerings are necessarily more limited than in large districts, they are community-focused. Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School, for instance, likely participates in the Wheat State League for athletics, fostering strong rivalries and camaraderie with other small schools. Programs may also emphasize community service projects within Holyrood and Ellsworth County, teaching stewardship and civic responsibility in a tangible, local context.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools in Holyrood, Kansas?
The enrollment process for Holyrood's private schools usually begins early in the calendar year (January-February) for the following fall, with priority often given to siblings of current students and active parish members. Given the small size of the schools, spaces can be limited, so early inquiry is recommended. The process typically involves submitting an application, providing records from a previous school, and possibly a family interview. For schools like St. John's Lutheran or Holy Family Elementary, religious affiliation or willingness to participate in a faith-based curriculum is a standard part of the process. It's advisable to contact the school office directly, as timelines can be more flexible yet also more informal than in larger systems.
For a family in Holyrood, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Central Plains USD 112) and the available private schools?
The key considerations for Holyrood families center on educational philosophy, community, and logistics. The public school, Central Plains USD 112, offers a secular education with potentially broader resources consolidated across the district, including specialized programs and transportation. The private schools offer a specific faith-based education (Catholic or Lutheran) with integrated religious instruction, often smaller class sizes, and a tight-knit community aligned with the family's values. Logistically, private schools may require personal transportation, while the public district provides busing. Financially, public school is tax-funded, while private requires tuition. The choice often hinges on how much weight a family places on religious formation versus the program breadth and convenience of the public district.