The Best Private Schools in Long Island, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Long Island. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Nicholas Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
St. Nicholas Catholic School provides exceptional private education for students in preschool through 6th grade, serving families throughout northwestern Kansas including Long Island. The school emphasizes faith-based education combined with strong academic fundamentals. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated technology integration, and specialized instruction in music, art, and physical education. The school maintains small student-teacher ratios and offers before/after school care. Parents consistently praise the nurturing environment, academic rigor, and strong community values that prepare students for future academic success.
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Thomas More Prep-Marian
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Thomas More Prep-Marian is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving students across western Kansas, including the Long Island area. With over a century of educational excellence, TMP offers a rigorous academic program with 98% of graduates attending college. The school features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and comprehensive extracurricular programs including championship athletics, fine arts, and spiritual formation. The school provides transportation options for students from surrounding rural communities.
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Holy Family Elementary School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Holy Family Elementary School serves students from preschool through 6th grade in Phillips County and surrounding areas, including Long Island. The school provides a comprehensive Catholic education with strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, computer lab, library, and gymnasium. The curriculum incorporates STEM education, literacy programs, and religious instruction. The school offers various extracurricular activities and maintains strong parent involvement. With dedicated teachers and a supportive community environment, Holy Family prepares students academically and spiritually for future educational challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Long Island, Kansas
What are the private school options for families in Long Island, Kansas, and what grade levels do they serve?
Long Island, Kansas, is served by a small number of private, faith-based schools. The primary options are Thomas More Prep-Marian (TMP-M), a Catholic junior-senior high school serving grades 7-12, and St. Nicholas Catholic School and Holy Family Elementary School, which typically serve the elementary grades (K-6). Given the rural setting, these schools often draw students from Long Island and surrounding communities in Ellis and Trego counties. For families seeking non-religious private education, options within Long Island itself are extremely limited, and parents may need to consider boarding schools or online academies.
How does tuition at Long Island, Kansas private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition at private schools in rural Kansas communities like Long Island is often below the state average for major metropolitan private schools. For the 2023-2024 school year, elementary tuition at local Catholic schools like St. Nicholas or Holy Family can range from $2,500 to $4,000 annually. Thomas More Prep-Marian, as a secondary school, has higher tuition, often between $6,000 and $8,000. All typically offer substantial multi-child discounts for families. Financial aid is primarily available through parish subsidies for active Catholic families, need-based scholarships from the Catholic Diocese of Salina, and limited local endowment funds. Kansas also offers a Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program, which can provide scholarships for eligible families to attend private schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Long Island's private schools offer that leverage the local community?
Private schools in the Long Island area emphasize a tight-knit community and values-based education. Thomas More Prep-Marian is known for its strong college-prep curriculum, with notable programs in theology and a growing emphasis on agricultural science and FFA, reflecting the region's farming economy. Its boarding program also brings a diverse, international perspective to the local student body. The elementary schools (St. Nicholas and Holy Family) focus on foundational literacy and math, often with small class sizes allowing for individualized attention. A common feature across these schools is the integration of service learning projects that connect students with local farms, businesses, and community organizations in Ellis County.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Long Island, Kansas?
Due to their small size, private schools in Long Island and the surrounding area do not have lengthy, formalized lottery systems common in urban centers. The enrollment process typically begins in early spring (February-March) for the following fall. Priority is often given to: 1) Siblings of currently enrolled students, 2) Active members of the supporting Catholic parishes, and 3) Families from the immediate geographic area. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, and often a pastoral reference for parishioners. For Thomas More Prep-Marian, which serves a wider region, an interview may be part of the process. It is highly advisable for interested families to contact the school office directly by January to express interest and secure a spot.
For families in Long Island, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school?
The key considerations are community, cost, curriculum, and commute. The public school for Long Island residents is likely part of a consolidated rural district (e.g., Trego Community Schools or Ellis USD 388), offering no-cost education, comprehensive extracurriculars like sports, and potentially longer bus rides. The private schools offer a specific religious and moral framework, very small class sizes (often 10-15 students), and a consistent K-12 pathway through TMP-M. However, they require tuition and may have more limited elective or advanced placement offerings due to their size. For many families in this area, the decision hinges on the value placed on a faith-based environment and close student-teacher relationships versus the broader resources and athletic opportunities of a consolidated public district.