The Best Private Schools in Williamsburg, Kansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Williamsburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Holy Trinity Catholic School
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Holy Trinity Catholic School is a highly-regarded Pre-K through 8th grade institution serving families throughout Miami County and surrounding areas including Williamsburg. The school offers a comprehensive Catholic education with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and faith formation. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years teaching experience, robust STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and has consistently high academic achievement scores.
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St. James Academy
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
St. James Academy is a premier Catholic college preparatory high school that serves students from across the Kansas City metro area, including families from Williamsburg. The school features a rigorous academic curriculum with 20+ Advanced Placement courses, state-of-the-art STEM facilities, championship athletic programs, and outstanding fine arts opportunities. With a 100% college acceptance rate and average ACT scores consistently above state and national averages, St. James provides exceptional preparation for higher education. The campus includes modern science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities.
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Ottawa University - The College
Ottawa University
While primarily a university, Ottawa University offers exceptional early college and dual credit programs that serve high school students from Williamsburg and throughout Franklin County. The institution provides access to college-level courses, advanced STEM programs, and comprehensive liberal arts education. With historic campus facilities recently renovated with modern technology, small class sizes, and highly qualified faculty, the university's preparatory programs offer rigorous academic challenges. The proximity to Williamsburg makes it an accessible option for advanced students seeking private educational opportunities beyond traditional high school offerings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Williamsburg, Kansas
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 students in Williamsburg, Kansas, and what are their core affiliations?
In Williamsburg, Kansas, the primary private K-12 option is **Holy Trinity Catholic School**, which serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade. For high school, families in the Williamsburg area often look to nearby **St. James Academy** in Lenexa, KS, which is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school approximately an hour's drive away. **Ottawa University - The College** in Ottawa, KS, is a private university and not a K-12 school. The private school landscape in this rural area is limited, so many families consider a commute to schools in larger nearby communities like Ottawa, Lawrence, or the Kansas City metro for more variety.
How does the tuition at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Williamsburg, KS, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Williamsburg is generally below the state average for private schools, reflecting its rural community setting. For the 2023-2024 school year, tuition was approximately $3,500-$4,500 per student, with discounts for multiple children. This is significantly lower than the Kansas private school average, which can exceed $7,000-$10,000. Financial aid is primarily offered through parish subsidies for active members of Holy Trinity Parish, and some need-based assistance may be available through the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Kansas also offers 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 do private schools in the Williamsburg, Kansas, area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The defining program at **Holy Trinity Catholic School** is its integrated faith-based education, with religion classes and Catholic traditions woven into the daily curriculum—a clear differentiation from public schools. Academically, it offers a structured, core-subject focus with smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention. For extracurriculars, it typically partners with the Williamsburg public school district for some sports and activities, which is a common arrangement for small rural private schools in Kansas. **St. James Academy**, a common destination for high school, offers a wide array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, competitive athletics, and robust fine arts programs that are more comparable to a large suburban school.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for Holy Trinity Catholic School in Williamsburg, and are there priorities for admission?
Holy Trinity Catholic School in Williamsburg typically begins open enrollment for the next academic year in early spring (February/March). The process involves submitting an application, providing birth and baptismal certificates (if applicable), academic records, and a registration fee. Priority for admission is generally given in this order: 1) Siblings of currently enrolled students, 2) Active parishioners of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and 3) Other Catholic families from surrounding parishes. After those groups, non-Catholic families are admitted if space is available. Given the school's small size, it's advisable to contact the school office by January to express interest and get specific dates.
For a family in Williamsburg, Kansas, what are the key practical considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private option like Holy Trinity?
The key considerations are **cost, community, and curriculum philosophy**. The Williamsburg USD 246 public schools are tuition-free and offer the full spectrum of K-12 education in one district, including sports and extracurriculars. Choosing Holy Trinity involves tuition but offers a specific faith-based environment with strong community ties for Catholic families. Practically, Holy Trinity ends at 8th grade, so choosing it means planning for a high school transition—either to the public Williamsburg Junior/Senior High or a private high school like St. James Academy, which involves a significant commute. Transportation is also a factor, as private schools in Kansas do not provide state-funded busing, so families must arrange their own transport.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Schools in Williamsburg, Kansas: A Parent's Guide
For families in Williamsburg, Kansas, the search for the best private schools is often a journey centered on values, community, and preparing children for a bright future in a close-knit setting. While our town offers a wonderful public school system, many parents seek an educational environment that aligns with a specific faith tradition, offers a particular pedagogical approach, or provides a smaller, more personalized learning community. Understanding what defines the "best" fit for your child here requires looking closely at the local options and how they connect to the fabric of life in Franklin County.
One of the cornerstone institutions is Holy Trinity Catholic School, serving students from preschool through eighth grade. For many Williamsburg families, this school represents more than academics; it’s an extension of a faith-based community where values are woven into daily lessons. The small class sizes ensure individual attention, and the continuity from early childhood into the pivotal middle school years is a significant benefit. The "best private schools" are those that foster a sense of belonging, and Holy Trinity’s deep roots in the area provide a stable, nurturing environment that many local parents cherish. It’s an ideal choice for families seeking a seamless integration of spiritual formation and foundational education before the high school transition.
When considering secondary education, many in our community look to St. James Academy in nearby Lenexa. While a commute, it is a highly regarded destination for families seeking a rigorous, faith-based college preparatory experience. For a Williamsburg student, attending St. James represents access to expansive academic programs, competitive athletics, and arts offerings that rival larger metropolitan schools, all within a Catholic framework. Parents often weigh this opportunity against the desire for a local daily routine, but for those prioritizing a specific preparatory path for college, it remains a compelling option frequently discussed among families seeking the best private schools for high school.
A unique and often overlooked gem in our own backyard is Ottawa University - The College. While primarily a higher education institution, its presence enriches the entire educational landscape of Williamsburg. For families with older students, it represents proximate access to dual-credit courses, a tangible vision of the college future, and community events that broaden horizons. The best private school education ultimately prepares a student for their next step, and having a university campus in town provides an inspiring local benchmark for academic achievement and personal growth.
Choosing the best private school in Williamsburg, Kansas, is less about a universal ranking and more about a thoughtful match. It involves practical considerations like daily logistics and cost, balanced with deeper questions about the learning environment you envision for your child. We encourage you to visit, ask questions about class size and teacher retention, and observe the school culture. Talk to other Williamsburg parents about their experiences. The right choice will be the one where your child is known, challenged, and inspired, within a community that feels like an extension of your family’s values and aspirations for their future right here in eastern Kansas.