The Best Private Schools in Leavenworth, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Leavenworth. 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 premier Catholic college preparatory high school serving students from across the Kansas City metropolitan area, including Leavenworth. The school features a comprehensive academic program with strong STEM emphasis, numerous Advanced Placement courses, and outstanding college counseling. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic complexes. Known for its competitive sports teams and vibrant student life, St. James consistently achieves high academic performance and college acceptance rates while fostering spiritual growth and community service.
Programs:
Bishop Miege High School
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Bishop Miege High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving the greater Kansas City area, including Leavenworth families. The school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, providing rigorous academic challenges. Features include state-of-the-art STEM facilities, comprehensive athletic programs, and outstanding fine arts offerings. With a strong track record of college placements and numerous academic awards, Bishop Miege maintains a reputation for academic excellence and student development in a faith-based environment.
Programs:
Immaculata High School
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Immaculata High School is a Catholic college preparatory school serving grades 9-12 with a strong academic tradition. The school offers a rigorous curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and competitive athletics. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. Known for its tight-knit community and character formation, Immaculata maintains small class sizes and high college acceptance rates. The school emphasizes faith-based education while preparing students for higher education success.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Leavenworth, Kansas
What are the primary private high school options available for families in Leavenworth, Kansas, and how do they differ?
The primary private high school options accessible to Leavenworth families are Catholic diocesan schools. Immaculata High School is located in Leavenworth itself, offering a co-educational, college-preparatory environment with a strong tradition. Bishop Miege High School and St. James Academy are located in the Kansas City metropolitan area to the east and are popular choices for Leavenworth families seeking a wider range of athletic and academic programs. Bishop Miege is an established school in Roeland Park, while St. James Academy in Lenexa is known for its newer facilities. The commute to these schools is a significant consideration for Leavenworth residents.
How does tuition for private high schools in the Leavenworth, KS area typically work, and are there financial aid options specific to Kansas?
Tuition varies significantly. Immaculata High School, as a parish-supported school, often has a lower base tuition for Catholic families, while Bishop Miege and St. James Academy generally have higher tuition rates reflecting their larger programs and facilities. All schools offer need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for active Catholic families. A key Kansas-specific resource is the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program, which allows donors to receive tax credits for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations, thereby increasing financial aid available for qualifying families across the state, including those in Leavenworth.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Leavenworth students offer that leverage the local area?
Schools integrate the unique historical and military context of Leavenworth. Immaculata High School, given its location, may have programs or partnerships related to the nearby U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, potentially offering JROTC or specific history electives. Bishop Miege and St. James Academy, being in the larger KC metro, offer extensive Advanced Placement (AP) course catalogs, competitive engineering programs, and robust arts and athletics leagues that Leavenworth students can access. The trade-off is between local community immersion and metropolitan-area opportunities.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Immaculata, Bishop Miege, and St. James for a student from Leavenworth?
The process typically begins in the fall of a student's 8th grade year. Critical steps include: attending open houses (often held October-January), submitting applications by early-year deadlines (January-February), taking placement exams (usually in January), and completing financial aid applications (often due in February). For Leavenworth families, an important additional step is planning for transportation, as attending Bishop Miege or St. James requires navigating the commute. Sibling and parish membership priorities can affect admission at these schools, so early engagement is crucial.
For a family living on Fort Leavenworth, what are the key considerations when choosing between the on-post public schools and the local private options?
Families at Fort Leavenworth have access to highly-rated Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools on post, which are tuition-free and offer stability for frequently transitioning military families. Key considerations for choosing a private school include seeking a specific religious education, a different academic pace, or specialized programs not available on post. Immaculata provides a local private option without a long commute, while choosing Bishop Miege or St. James adds a significant daily drive but connects the student to a large, stable peer network that may be beneficial if the family plans to remain in the Kansas City area beyond the military assignment.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities