The Best Private Schools in Alexandria, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Alexandria. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Holy Savior Menard Central High School
Catholic Diocese of Alexandria
Holy Savior Menard Central High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving grades 7-12. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum including 14 Advanced Placement courses. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and emphasizes service learning through its Catholic mission. Extracurricular programs include championship athletic teams, robotics, theater, and numerous student organizations.
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St. Mary's Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Alexandria
St. Mary's Catholic School provides education from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade with a strong foundation in Catholic values and academic excellence. The school features small class sizes, individualized attention, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, science labs, and language arts. Facilities include modern classrooms, a library, computer lab, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and community service while preparing students for success in high school and beyond through rigorous academic standards and diverse extracurricular activities.
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St. Frederick Catholic High School
Catholic Diocese of Alexandria
Located in Monroe and serving the Central Louisiana region including Alexandria, St. Frederick Catholic High School is a highly-rated college preparatory school offering a challenging academic environment with 12 Advanced Placement courses. The school features state-of-the-art science labs, technology integration across curriculum, and comprehensive athletic facilities. With a strong focus on faith-based education and community service, the school maintains excellent college placement records. Extracurricular offerings include championship sports teams, robotics, drama, and numerous clubs serving diverse student interests.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Alexandria, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options available in Alexandria, Louisiana, and what are their educational philosophies?
Alexandria, LA, offers a few well-established private schools, predominantly with religious affiliations. The top options include Holy Savior Menard Central High School (co-ed, grades 8-12, Catholic, college-prep), St. Mary's Catholic School (co-ed, grades Pre-K-7, Catholic), and St. Frederick Catholic High School (co-ed, grades 9-12, Catholic). These schools emphasize a faith-based education combined with rigorous academics, character development, and often smaller class sizes than the local public schools. While Catholic schools dominate the landscape, parents should note there are limited non-sectarian private school options within the city itself, which may require looking at neighboring areas for different educational philosophies.
How does tuition for private schools in Alexandria, LA, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in Alexandria is generally below the national private school average but aligns with regional costs in Central Louisiana. For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition at schools like St. Mary's and the Catholic high schools often ranges from approximately $5,000 to $8,000 annually, not including fees, uniforms, and other expenses. Most Alexandria private schools, supported by their affiliated dioceses, offer need-based financial aid, scholarships, and multi-child discounts. Louisiana also has state-run programs like the Louisiana Scholarship Program (vouchers for eligible families) and the Tuition Donation Credit Program, which can significantly reduce costs for qualifying students attending participating private schools in Alexandria.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Alexandria's private schools offer that leverage local culture or opportunities?
Private schools in Alexandria, LA, often integrate Central Louisiana's culture and resources into their programs. For example, schools like Holy Savior Menard and St. Frederick may offer robust service-learning programs tied to local community needs, reflecting their Catholic mission. Academically, some provide specialized tracks or dual-enrollment opportunities with nearby colleges like Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA), allowing students to earn college credit. Extracurriculars frequently emphasize regional interests, such as strong competitive sports programs (especially in football and baseball), agriculture/FFA chapters connected to the local farming community, and music programs that may participate in statewide competitions. However, highly specialized STEM or arts magnets are less common than in larger metropolitan areas.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Alexandria, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Alexandria's private schools usually begins in January or February for the following academic year, with priority given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of affiliated Catholic churches. Applications typically require submission of past academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores, and often a family interview or student assessment. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in popular early grades at St. Mary's or freshman year at the high schools, waitlists are common. It is highly advisable for parents to attend open houses (often held in the fall) and submit applications early. Rolling admissions may occur if spots remain, but planning a year ahead is the standard for Alexandria.
For families considering both sectors, what are the key differences between private and public schools in Alexandria, Rapides Parish?
The key differences in Alexandria center on class size, curriculum flexibility, and religious education. Public schools in Rapides Parish (e.g., Alexandria Senior High, Bolton High) offer a broader range of magnet programs, advanced placement courses, and are tuition-free. Alexandria private schools, primarily Catholic, provide smaller, more structured environments with mandatory religion classes and weekly Mass. Academically, private schools often have strong college placement records but may offer fewer elective specialties than the larger public high schools. Disciplinary environments also differ, with private schools enforcing strict dress codes (uniforms) and behavior policies grounded in their religious ethos. The choice often hinges on a family's desire for a faith-based education and personalized attention versus the program diversity and no-cost model of the public system.
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