The Best Private Schools in Crestwood, Kentucky
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Crestwood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Walden School
Independent
The Walden School is a highly-rated independent school known for its progressive, student-centered approach to education. Serving students from preschool through 8th grade, Walden emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility within a supportive learning community. The school features small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and innovative programs including comprehensive arts education, hands-on science, and outdoor learning. Located approximately 20 minutes from Crestwood, Walden consistently receives high marks for its nurturing environment and academic excellence, with graduates successfully transitioning to top regional high schools.
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Kentucky Country Day School
Independent
Kentucky Country Day School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving students from pre-school through 12th grade. Located just 15 minutes from Crestwood, KCD offers a rigorous academic curriculum with small class sizes, exceptional faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. The school emphasizes balanced education with strong programs in STEM, humanities, and arts, complemented by competitive athletics and extensive extracurricular opportunities. With a 100% college acceptance rate and numerous merit scholarship recipients, KCD consistently ranks among the top private schools in the Louisville metropolitan area.
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Christian Academy of Louisville
Christian Academy School System
Christian Academy of Louisville is a comprehensive Christian school system with multiple campuses serving the greater Louisville area, including Crestwood families. The school offers a biblically-integrated curriculum from preschool through high school with strong college preparatory programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes, experienced faculty, and a supportive community environment while offering diverse extracurricular activities including competitive sports, fine arts, and service opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Crestwood, Kentucky
What are the primary private school options serving families in Crestwood, Kentucky, and are they located directly in Crestwood or in nearby areas?
While Crestwood itself is a smaller suburban community, it is served by several highly-regarded private schools in the greater Louisville area. The most prominent options include Kentucky Country Day School (in eastern Louisville), Christian Academy of Louisville (with a nearby campus in Middletown), and The Walden School (in Louisville's St. Matthews area). Most families in Crestwood commute 20-30 minutes to these schools. There are very few, if any, private school campuses physically located within Crestwood's city limits, making transportation and commute time an important local consideration.
How does tuition for top private schools near Crestwood, KY, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Louisville area serving Crestwood families is generally above the Kentucky state average for private education. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at schools like Kentucky Country Day and Christian Academy can range from approximately $15,000 to $25,000+ per year depending on the grade level. Importantly, these schools offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. Kentucky also has a unique state-level program called the Education Opportunity Account (EOA) program, which provides tax-credit scholarships for eligible families in certain counties (including Oldham County, where Crestwood is located) to help cover private school costs.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Crestwood offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Crestwood/Louisville corridor often provide specialized programs not always available in the public district. For example, Kentucky Country Day School offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement (AP) courses and renowned arts and athletics. The Walden School is distinctive for its progressive, experiential learning model with a strong focus on creative arts and social-emotional learning. Christian Academy of Louisville provides a Christ-centered education with integrated biblical worldview courses and chapel services. These schools often have smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and unique offerings like intensive foreign language programs starting in lower grades, which are specific draws for Crestwood-area parents.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Crestwood, Kentucky area?
The enrollment process for sought-after private schools near Crestwood is highly structured and often begins over a year in advance. Most schools, like Kentucky Country Day and The Walden School, have application deadlines in January or February for admission the following fall. The process typically includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing (like the ISEE or school-specific assessments), and a family interview or student visit day. Due to competitive seats, especially in entry-level grades (Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 6th grade), it is strongly advised for Crestwood families to begin research and campus visits in the fall prior to the desired enrollment year. Many schools also host open houses in the autumn.
For a family moving to Crestwood, Kentucky, what are the key considerations when choosing between the well-regarded Oldham County Public Schools and a private school option?
This is a common local consideration, as Oldham County Public Schools (serving Crestwood) are consistently ranked among the best in Kentucky. Key decision factors include: **Educational Philosophy:** Public schools offer a standardized, state-curriculum approach, while private schools provide specific missions (e.g., college-prep rigor, progressive, or faith-based). **Class Size:** Oldham County schools have good ratios, but private schools often feature significantly smaller classes (e.g., 15:1 vs. 22:1). **Cost vs. Value:** Public schools are tax-funded, whereas private tuition is a direct, significant expense. **Logistics:** Attending a private school involves a daily commute to Louisville, while public schools are neighborhood-based with bus transportation. Many Crestwood families value the community aspect of local public schools but choose private options for a specific educational environment or religious foundation not available in the public system.
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