The Best Private Schools in Severy, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Severy. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Independent School
Independent
The Independent School is a highly-regarded private school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Known for its rigorous college preparatory curriculum and small class sizes, the school emphasizes individualized attention and academic excellence. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school offers a comprehensive STEM program, competitive athletics, and extensive arts opportunities. With a strong focus on character development and community service, TIS has built a reputation for preparing students for top colleges and universities.
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Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Catholic Diocese of Wichita
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School is a comprehensive Catholic high school serving families throughout south-central Kansas. The school is renowned for its unique self-paced learning system that allows students to progress according to their abilities while maintaining high academic standards. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, extensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. Bishop Carroll emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and service to the community, creating well-rounded graduates prepared for college and beyond.
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Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School
Catholic Diocese of Wichita
Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School is a prestigious college preparatory school with a long tradition of academic excellence and spiritual formation. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum including honors and Advanced Placement courses, a specialized STEM academy, and outstanding fine arts programs. The campus features advanced science laboratories, technology-integrated classrooms, extensive athletic facilities, and modern performing arts spaces. Kapaun emphasizes character development, leadership skills, and service learning within a faith-based community. The school has a strong track record of college acceptance and prepares students for success in higher education and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Severy, Kansas
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Severy, Kansas?
While Severy itself is a very small community, families in the area typically look to private schools in the larger Wichita metropolitan area, approximately 60 miles west. The top-regarded options include The Independent School (a non-sectarian, college-preparatory school), Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, and Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, both of which are Catholic diocesan schools. For younger grades, there are numerous associated Catholic elementary schools in Wichita. Transportation from Severy is a key consideration, as these schools are not within daily busing distance, requiring a significant family commute or boarding arrangements.
How does tuition at private schools in the Wichita area, accessible to Severy families, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for the major Wichita-area private schools ranges significantly. For the 2023-2024 academic year, high school tuition at Bishop Carroll and Kapaun Mt. Carmel is approximately $9,000-$11,000, while The Independent School's tuition is higher, often exceeding $20,000. These figures are generally in line with or slightly below Kansas private school averages for their respective types. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and the Catholic schools have active parish subsidy programs for member families. Kansas also has a Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program, which can provide scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools, a crucial financial resource for qualifying Severy-area families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools near Severy offer that might justify the commute?
Schools like The Independent School offer advanced STEM initiatives, extensive arts programs, and a globally-focused curriculum that are distinct from what's available in smaller public school districts like those serving Severy. Bishop Carroll is known for its self-paced, modular academic schedule, which is unique in the region. Kapaun Mt. Carmel offers robust engineering pathways and a strong emphasis on service learning aligned with its Catholic identity. For families in Severy, these specialized programs provide access to educational opportunities and college preparatory resources that are not typically available in very rural public school settings.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for Severy students applying to Wichita-area private high schools?
The process requires early and proactive planning due to the distance. Applications for fall admission at schools like Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Bishop Carroll, and The Independent School typically open in August or September, with priority deadlines in late fall or winter. The process includes submitting applications, academic records from the Severy or surrounding district, teacher recommendations, and often a shadow day or interview. For Severy families, attending open houses (often held on weekends) is essential but involves travel. It's critical to contact admissions offices well in advance to discuss logistics, as some schools may have specific policies or support for students from distant rural communities.
How do the class sizes and community environment of private schools in the Wichita area compare to the public school experience in Severy, Kansas?
This is a fundamental difference. Public schools in the Severy area (typically part of very small rural districts) offer very small class sizes but limited course diversity and extracurricular breadth. In contrast, Wichita private schools like those mentioned have larger overall enrollments (often 500-1,000 students) but maintain lower student-to-teacher ratios than large public high schools. They foster a close-knit community through shared values (especially in faith-based schools) and mandatory involvement, but it is a different type of community from a small town where everyone knows each other. For a Severy student, the transition means trading a familiar, hyper-local environment for a more diverse, resource-rich, and mission-driven community that requires integration into a metropolitan social setting.