The Best Private Schools in Prairie Village, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Prairie Village. 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 highly regarded independent school serving the greater Kansas City area, including Prairie Village families. The school offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate program from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, with exceptional college preparation and placement records. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. Extracurricular programs include championship athletics, extensive arts offerings, and community service opportunities.
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The Barstow School
Independent
The Barstow School is a prestigious independent day school serving students from preschool through grade 12, with many families commuting from Prairie Village. The school features a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with strong STEM programs, advanced placement courses, and innovative global studies initiatives. Campus facilities include modern science and technology labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. Barstow emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development, with a diverse student body and extensive extracurricular opportunities including robotics, debate, and championship athletic teams.
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Holy Cross Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Holy Cross Catholic School serves families throughout Johnson County, including Prairie Village, offering education from preschool through 8th grade. The school provides a strong faith-based education combined with rigorous academics, including advanced STEM programs and comprehensive fine arts. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, technology centers, and athletic facilities. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and supportive environment. Holy Cross prepares students for success in high school and beyond with small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a values-based education framework.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Prairie Village, Kansas
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Prairie Village, Kansas, and what are their educational philosophies?
Prairie Village, KS, is served by several highly-regarded private schools, though it's important to note that some are located in adjacent communities. Top options include Pembroke Hill School (located in Kansas City, MO, with a campus near the state line), offering a rigorous, college-preparatory education from Pre-K through 12th grade. The Barstow School (in Kansas City, MO) is known for its strong STEM and arts programs and its International Baccalaureate curriculum. Within Prairie Village itself, Holy Cross Catholic School provides a faith-based, Pre-K through 8th-grade education. Additionally, many families consider other nearby Kansas-side schools like the French immersion Académie Lafayette or the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. The philosophies range from secular college-prep to religious-based and specialized language immersion.
How does tuition for private schools in the Prairie Village, KS, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Prairie Village area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range. Holy Cross Catholic School, as a parish-supported institution, often has lower tuition, typically between $7,000-$9,000 for elementary grades. Independent schools like Pembroke Hill and The Barstow School have higher tuition, often ranging from $25,000 to $30,000+ for upper grades. Most major private schools in the Kansas City metro, including those serving Prairie Village, offer robust need-based financial aid programs. It's crucial to apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are limited. Kansas also has the 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 are offered by private schools accessible from Prairie Village, KS, that distinguish them from local public options?
Private schools in the greater Prairie Village area often provide specialized programs not universally available in public districts. The Barstow School is distinguished by its International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and a renowned robotics team. Pembroke Hill School offers extensive global travel programs, a comprehensive arts department, and competitive athletics. Holy Cross Catholic School integrates faith and technology with a 1:1 iPad program. Many area private schools also feature distinctive offerings like intensive language tracks (e.g., Mandarin at Pembroke Hill), smaller class sizes for personalized learning, and signature capstone projects in high school. These programs are designed to provide a differentiated educational experience.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Prairie Village, Kansas, and when should parents start?
The admission process for competitive private schools in the Kansas City metro is cyclical and begins early. For entry in Fall 2025, the ideal timeline starts in the Spring or Summer of 2024. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held September-November), submitting applications (deadlines typically between January and February for the following school year), and completing student assessments/visits and parent interviews. Notification of decisions is usually released in March. For schools like Holy Cross with rolling admission, applying early is still advantageous. Parents in Prairie Village should begin researching schools at least 12-18 months before desired enrollment, especially for sought-after grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 9th grade.
For families in Prairie Village, what are the key considerations when comparing the highly-rated Shawnee Mission public school district to local private school options?
This is a central decision for Prairie Village families. The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) is consistently top-rated in Kansas, offering excellent academics, diverse extracurriculars, and no tuition. Key considerations for choosing private include: **Educational Approach:** Private schools often offer more specialized curricula (like IB), religious education, or specific pedagogical philosophies. **Class Size:** Private schools typically have significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios. **Continuity:** Some private options offer a single-campus experience from early childhood through 12th grade, unlike the transitions between SMSD elementary, middle, and high schools. **Cost vs. Value:** Weighing the substantial financial investment of private tuition against the free, high-quality public option is paramount. Many families base their decision on desired educational environment, specific program needs, and personal values.
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