The Best Private Schools in Leawood, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Leawood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Pembroke Hill School
Independent
Pembroke Hill School is a premier independent school serving the greater Kansas City area, including Leawood residents. Formed by the merger of two historic schools, it offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement options. The campus features modern academic buildings, athletic facilities, and arts spaces. Pembroke Hill emphasizes character education alongside academic excellence, with strong programs in robotics, performing arts, and championship athletics. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for exceptional college counseling and placement.
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The Barstow School
Independent
The Barstow School is a highly respected independent school serving the Kansas City metro area, including Leawood families. Founded in 1884, it offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate program from early childhood through high school. The school emphasizes academic rigor with strong STEM programs, extensive arts education, and competitive athletics. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Barstow consistently ranks among the top private schools in the region with high college placement rates and a diverse student body.
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Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
Jewish Community Center
Located in nearby Overland Park, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy serves Jewish families throughout the Kansas City metro area, including Leawood. As the only Jewish day school in the region, it combines rigorous college preparatory academics with comprehensive Jewish studies. The school offers strong STEM programs, modern language instruction, and extensive arts and athletics. Facilities include science labs, technology centers, and athletic fields. HBHA maintains small class sizes and emphasizes community values while preparing students for top colleges and universities. The school welcomes students of all Jewish backgrounds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Leawood, Kansas
What are the main private school options available within or very close to Leawood, Kansas, and what are their educational philosophies?
Leawood, KS, is part of the greater Kansas City metro area with several highly-regarded private schools nearby. The most prominent include The Barstow School (located in Kansas City, MO, just minutes from Leawood), known for its rigorous college-prep curriculum and innovation lab; Pembroke Hill School (with campuses in Kansas City, MO), offering a continuum of International Baccalaureate (IB) programs from preschool through high school; and Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (in Overland Park, KS, adjacent to Leawood), which provides a dual curriculum of secular college-prep and Jewish studies. Leawood itself also hosts several private elementary schools and faith-based academies. The philosophies range from progressive and inquiry-based (like Barstow's design thinking) to classical and values-based education.
How does tuition for top private schools near Leawood, KS, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Kansas residents?
Tuition for the leading schools near Leawood typically ranges from approximately $20,000 to $30,000+ per year for upper grades. For example, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and The Barstow School have tuition in this competitive range. Kansas does not have a state-funded voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, so financial aid is primarily provided directly by the schools through need-based grants and merit scholarships. Many families in the Leawood area also utilize the Kansas 529 Learning Quest plan, which allows tax-advantaged savings for K-12 private school tuition (up to $10,000 per year per beneficiary for tuition expenses). It's crucial to apply for financial aid early, as deadlines often precede admission decisions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Leawood-area private schools offer that leverage the local community?
Private schools in the Leawood vicinity excel in programs that connect students to the resources of the Kansas City region. The Barstow School emphasizes entrepreneurship and technology, with partnerships at the nearby University of Kansas Edwards Campus and local startups. Pembroke Hill's IB curriculum includes CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) projects deeply integrated with Kansas City nonprofits and cultural institutions like the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy offers strong STEM tracks and unique Judaic studies, with connections to local Jewish community centers and organizations. Many schools also have robust athletics competing in the Kansas City metro leagues and distinctive arts programs that utilize the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Leawood, Kansas area?
The process for schools like Barstow, Pembroke Hill, and Hyman Brand is highly structured and begins early. Most families start touring schools and attending open houses in the fall, a full year before desired enrollment (e.g., fall 2024 for fall 2025). Application deadlines are typically in January or February, with required components including student assessments, school records, teacher recommendations, and family interviews. Many schools host "play-based" assessments for younger applicants. Admission decisions are usually communicated in March. Due to high demand from families in Leawood and surrounding Johnson County communities, applying by the deadline is critical, as waitlists are common. Sibling and legacy preferences are factors at these established institutions.
For families living in Leawood, which has excellent public schools (Blue Valley District), what are the key reasons to consider a private school option?
While the Blue Valley Public Schools are consistently top-rated in Kansas and the nation, Leawood families choose private schools for distinct reasons. These include smaller class sizes and more personalized attention, specialized curricular approaches (like IB or faith-based education), and different community environments. Private schools often offer more flexibility in advanced coursework and independent study projects. For some, a desire for a specific values-based education (e.g., at Hyman Brand) or a particular focus on arts or innovation drives the decision. The choice often comes down to finding the best "fit" for a child's individual learning style, family values, and long-term educational goals, even within a high-performing public district like Blue Valley.
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