The Best Private Schools in Westmoreland, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Westmoreland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Xavier Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
St. Xavier Catholic School is a highly-regarded private institution serving students from Westmoreland and surrounding communities. With over six decades of educational excellence, the school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program rooted in Catholic values. The curriculum emphasizes strong academic foundations with dedicated focus on literacy, mathematics, and science. Students benefit from small class sizes, individualized attention, and a safe learning environment. The school features modern facilities including technology-integrated classrooms, dedicated science lab, and athletic facilities. Extracurricular offerings include competitive sports, music programs, and community service opportunities, creating a well-rounded educational experience for families in the Westmoreland area.
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St. Bernard Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Salina
St. Bernard Catholic School has been serving families in the Flint Hills region for over 70 years, including students from Westmoreland. This Pre-K through 8th grade institution provides a rigorous academic program within a faith-based environment. The school is known for its strong core curriculum with particular emphasis on advanced mathematics and comprehensive language arts. Technology integration throughout all grade levels prepares students for future academic success. The campus features well-maintained facilities including a modern library, computer lab, and playground areas. Parent involvement is highly encouraged, contributing to the strong sense of community and high parent satisfaction ratings that characterize this established educational institution.
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Manhattan Catholic Schools
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Manhattan Catholic Schools serves as a regional educational hub for families throughout Pottawatomie County, including Westmoreland. The institution offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade program with a strong college preparatory focus. High school students can choose from multiple Advanced Placement courses and benefit from a robust STEM curriculum. The campus features state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. With over five decades of operation, the school has established a reputation for academic excellence and character development. Transportation options and extracurricular activities make it accessible and appealing to Westmoreland families seeking a premium private education within reasonable commuting distance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Westmoreland, Kansas
What are the private school options specifically within Westmoreland, Kansas, and are there any non-religious alternatives?
Within the city limits of Westmoreland, Kansas, private school options are exclusively faith-based. The primary institution is St. Xavier Catholic School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. There are currently no non-religious or secular private schools located directly in Westmoreland. For broader options, families often look to nearby communities like Manhattan, which hosts Manhattan Catholic Schools for a Pre-K-12 continuum, or consider the public school district. This limited in-town choice is a key consideration for Westmoreland parents, making school visits and alignment with the school's religious mission particularly important.
How does tuition at St. Xavier Catholic School in Westmoreland compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition at St. Xavier Catholic School in Westmoreland is typically below the state average for private elementary schools in Kansas, reflecting its rural community setting. Exact figures vary annually, but it is designed to be accessible for local families. Importantly, the school participates in the Kansas Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which provides need-based scholarships funded by donations from Kansas businesses in exchange for tax credits. Additionally, St. Xavier offers parish subsidies for active members, multi-child discounts, and may have limited need-based aid from the parish or school endowment. Prospective families should contact the school office directly for the current year's tuition schedule and financial aid application process.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Westmoreland's private schools offer that leverage their rural Kansas setting?
St. Xavier Catholic School in Westmoreland integrates its rural environment into its educational approach. Academically, this may include local Kansas history and agriculture-based science projects. Extracurricularly, the school's size allows for high participation rates in activities like athletics, where students often have the opportunity to play multiple sports. The close-knit, community-oriented atmosphere fosters strong mentorship and leadership opportunities. Furthermore, the school's connection to St. Xavier Parish provides a structured values-based education and community service projects that are deeply woven into the local fabric, an experience distinct from larger urban private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for St. Xavier Catholic School in Westmoreland, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for St. Xavier Catholic School in Westmoreland typically begins with an open house or private tour in the winter (January-February) for the following academic year. Priority registration for existing families and parish members often opens in early spring. Open enrollment for new families usually follows. Due to the school's small size, some grades, particularly early elementary, can fill quickly, though waitlists are not always a constant factor. The process involves submitting an application, providing birth and baptismal certificates (if applicable), and academic records. It is highly recommended for Westmoreland-area parents to make contact with the school principal by January to express interest and understand the current year's specific deadlines and space availability.
For a family in Westmoreland, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school (Valley Heights USD 498) and St. Xavier Catholic School?
The decision between Valley Heights Public Schools and St. Xavier Catholic School in Westmoreland involves several local considerations. Academically, Valley Heights offers a broader range of elective courses and extracurricular activities at the middle and high school levels due to its larger size. St. Xavier provides a small, personalized learning environment with a consistent faith-based curriculum through 8th grade. Logistically, St. Xavier is centrally located in Westmoreland, while public school students may be bussed to the district's campuses in Blue Rapids or Waterville. Financially, public school has no tuition, while St. Xavier requires it. Many Westmoreland families value the community continuity of St. Xavier, where their children can attend school with the same peer group from Pre-K to 8th grade before transitioning to the public high school, blending both options.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Secular Private Schools Near Westmoreland, KS
As a parent in Westmoreland, Kansas, researching educational options can lead you to an important crossroads. You value a structured, high-quality learning environment for your child, but you may be specifically searching for a non-religious educational setting. This search, often phrased as looking for "secular private schools near me," presents a unique consideration in our close-knit community. While Westmoreland is home to excellent faith-based institutions like St. Xavier Catholic School, families seeking a strictly secular private education often find their search extending beyond our immediate city limits, requiring a broader view of what "near me" can mean in rural Kansas.
The landscape of private education in our region is predominantly shaped by religious affiliations, which have long been pillars of community and academic excellence. Schools like St. Bernard Catholic School in nearby Wamego or the Manhattan Catholic Schools consortium offer tremendous value, with strong academics, dedicated teachers, and a focus on character. However, for parents who desire a private school curriculum completely separate from religious doctrine, the quest becomes one of identifying alternatives that align with a secular worldview. This doesn't diminish the quality of local options but highlights a specific philosophical preference that guides many families' decisions.
Practically, this means families in Westmoreland often look toward larger regional hubs. The drive to Manhattan, approximately 30 minutes south, opens up more diverse possibilities. While Manhattan has several religiously affiliated private schools, it also hosts independent schools and college-preparatory academies that operate on a secular basis. Expanding your definition of "near me" to include a reasonable commute is a common reality for rural families seeking specialized educational paths. It becomes about weighing the value of the specific educational model against the logistics of transportation, which many families find to be a worthwhile trade-off for the right fit.
Your research should involve deep inquiry into a school’s mission statement, curriculum sources, and daily practices. Ask specific questions about how subjects like science and literature are taught, and inquire about school-wide assemblies or traditions. Sometimes, a private school may be housed in a church building for practical reasons but maintains a completely secular curriculum, so clarity is key. For Westmoreland parents, building a network with other families in Pottawatomie and Riley counties who have similar educational priorities can be invaluable for sharing information and even exploring carpool options to make a longer commute more feasible.
Ultimately, finding the right private school is about matching your child’s needs and your family’s values with an institution’s ethos. While a purely secular private school may not have a Westmoreland address, understanding this landscape empowers you to make an informed choice. Whether you choose the outstanding local faith-based community or embark on a commute for a secular environment, you are actively investing in a personalized education. The search for "secular private schools near me" in our context is a journey of defining priorities, exploring the wider region, and discovering the educational environment where your child will truly thrive.