The Best Private Schools in Mulberry, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Mulberry. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's-Colgan Elementary & Secondary School
Catholic Diocese of Wichita
St. Mary's-Colgan is a highly-regarded Catholic school system serving southeast Kansas, including the Mulberry area. Founded in 1950, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through high school with a strong college preparatory focus. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. Academically, the school consistently achieves high test scores and college acceptance rates, with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, offering extensive extracurricular activities including championship athletic programs, fine arts, and community service opportunities.
Programs:
Southeast Kansas Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Southeast Kansas Christian Academy is a well-established private Christian school serving families throughout Crawford County and surrounding areas, including Mulberry. Founded in 1999, the school provides a comprehensive K-12 education rooted in Christian values and academic excellence. The curriculum includes advanced placement opportunities, dual credit courses with local colleges, and robust STEM programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, computer labs, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, ensuring personalized attention. Extracurricular offerings include competitive sports, music programs, drama, and various clubs.
Programs:
Girard Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Girard Christian Academy serves students from Mulberry and surrounding communities with a comprehensive Christian education from preschool through high school. Established in 2004, the school has built a strong reputation for academic excellence and character development. The curriculum integrates biblical principles across all subjects while maintaining rigorous college preparatory standards. The school features well-equipped classrooms, technology labs, and athletic facilities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school provides individualized learning experiences. The program includes advanced coursework, fine arts programs, competitive sports teams, and community service opportunities, preparing students for college and beyond.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Mulberry, Kansas
What are the private school options for families living in or near Mulberry, Kansas?
Mulberry itself is a very small community, so most private school options are located in nearby towns within Crawford County. The primary institutions include St. Mary's-Colgan Elementary & Secondary School in Pittsburg (a Catholic school offering Pre-K through 12th grade), Southeast Kansas Christian Academy in Galena (serving K-12), and Girard Christian Academy in Girard. For Mulberry residents, these schools typically involve a commute, but they provide the main private, faith-based education choices in the immediate region. There are no private schools physically located within the city limits of Mulberry.
How does tuition at private schools in the Mulberry, KS area compare, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly between the schools near Mulberry. For the 2024-2025 school year, Girard Christian Academy often has the most accessible tuition, typically under $4,000 annually. Southeast Kansas Christian Academy's tuition is generally moderate. St. Mary's-Colgan, with its extensive facilities and long-standing program, typically has a higher tuition rate, often exceeding $5,000 per year for parishioners and more for non-parishioners. All these schools usually offer financial aid, payment plans, and multi-child discounts. Additionally, Kansas has 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 private schools near Mulberry, Kansas offer?
Schools in this area often emphasize small class sizes and community values. St. Mary's-Colgan is notable for its strong college-preparatory curriculum, competitive athletics in the CNC league, and fine arts programs. Southeast Kansas Christian Academy and Girard Christian Academy focus on integrating Biblical principles into all subjects and may offer specialized programs like speech meets, chapels, and mission-oriented activities. A unique aspect for this rural Kansas region is that these private schools often provide a K-12 continuum in a single, close-knit environment, which is a contrast to the consolidated public school districts that may involve longer bus rides and multiple building transitions.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools serving Mulberry, Kansas families?
The process generally begins in the winter or early spring for the following fall. For St. Mary's-Colgan, priority is often given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of supporting Catholic churches, so early inquiry is crucial. Southeast Kansas Christian Academy and Girard Christian Academy typically have open enrollment periods starting in February or March. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, possibly a pastoral reference, and often a family interview. Due to the small size of these schools, some grades (especially in high school) may have limited space, so Mulberry-area parents are advised to contact admissions offices by January to understand specific deadlines and availability.
For a family in Mulberry, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Southeast USD 247) and a private school in a neighboring town?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. The public school, Southeast USD 247, provides a no-tuition option with potentially broader extracurricular offerings due to its larger consolidated district. However, it involves busing to schools in Cherokee and McCune. The private school choice involves tuition and a commute to Pittsburg, Galena, or Girard, but offers smaller class sizes, a specific religious foundation, and often a perceived safer or more disciplined environment. For Mulberry families, the daily commute distance and cost are major practical factors. Many choose private schools for their consistent faith-based education from elementary through high school without the district reassignments common in rural public systems.