The Best Private Schools in Stearns, Kentucky
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Stearns. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Camillus Academy
Catholic Diocese of Lexington
St. Camillus Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the southeastern Kentucky region, including Stearns. The school offers a comprehensive classical education program from pre-K through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic facilities. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports, music, drama, and community service opportunities.
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Somerset Christian School
Non-denominational Christian School
Somerset Christian School serves students from throughout southern Kentucky, including the Stearns area, with a comprehensive educational program from preschool through 12th grade. The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with strong STEM programs, fine arts opportunities, and competitive athletics. Features include state-of-the-art science labs, technology integration across all grade levels, and extensive extracurricular offerings. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for high academic standards and strong community involvement.
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McCreary Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
McCreary Christian Academy serves students from Stearns and surrounding McCreary County with a comprehensive Christian education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, offering Advanced Placement courses, dual credit opportunities with local colleges, and strong athletic programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, computer labs, gymnasium, and athletic fields. The school is known for its family atmosphere, high graduation rates, and successful college placement of graduates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Stearns, Kentucky
What are the primary private school options available for families in and around Stearns, Kentucky?
In the Stearns, KY area, families primarily consider three main private institutions. St. Camillus Academy in Corbin (about 30 minutes from Stearns) is a historic Catholic K-12 school. McCreary Christian Academy in Whitley City and Somerset Christian School in Somerset (both within a reasonable commute) are prominent non-denominational Christian options. Due to Stearns' rural location in McCreary County, most private schools require a commute, making transportation a key local consideration. There are no large private school networks in the immediate town, so exploring these nearby options is essential.
How does tuition at private schools near Stearns, KY compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for schools like McCreary Christian Academy and Somerset Christian School typically ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 annually for elementary grades, which is generally below the Kentucky state average for private schools. St. Camillus Academy may have a slightly higher tuition due to its comprehensive K-12 program. Importantly, Kentucky's Education Opportunity Account (EOA) program, a form of tax-credit scholarship, can provide financial assistance to eligible families in counties like McCreary, making private education more accessible. Each school also offers its own need-based aid and possible multi-child discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Stearns area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools near Stearns leverage their smaller size and specific missions to offer distinctive programs. St. Camillus Academy provides a classical liberal arts education with a Catholic worldview and strong college-prep secondary curriculum. McCreary Christian Academy and Somerset Christian School integrate biblical principles into all subjects and often have robust music, arts, and competitive sports programs that rival larger schools. These schools can offer more individualized attention and a specific value-based environment that may not be as readily available in the rural public school districts of McCreary County.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools serving Stearns, Kentucky families?
The enrollment process for area schools usually begins in early spring (January-March) for the following fall. Key steps include: 1) Attending an open house or scheduling a tour (highly recommended due to the commute), 2) Submitting an application with fees, 3) Providing academic records and sometimes standardized test scores, 4) A family interview or student assessment, particularly for Somerset Christian School and St. Camillus Academy, and 5) Notification of acceptance. Given the limited seats in these smaller schools, applying early is crucial. Some schools may have rolling admission if space allows.
For a family in Stearns, what are the major practical considerations when choosing between a local public school and a private school a commute away?
The decision hinges on several Stearns-specific factors. The primary consideration is the daily commute of 20-45 minutes to a private school, which involves significant time and transportation logistics. Academically, private schools offer smaller class sizes and specific religious or pedagogical approaches. Socially, your child's community will be more geographically dispersed. Financially, you must weigh tuition and aid against the free public option. Many local families value the strong community feel of McCreary County public schools but choose private options for a consistent faith-based education or a different academic environment not available locally. Visiting both a local public school and the private options is essential to feel the difference firsthand.
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