The Best Private Schools in Chalmette, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Chalmette. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Dominican High School
Archdiocese of New Orleans
St. Mary's Dominican High School is a premier Catholic college-preparatory school for young women located just minutes from Chalmette. Founded by the Dominican Sisters, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and a 100% college acceptance rate. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, extensive athletic facilities, and a comprehensive fine arts program. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Dominican emphasizes leadership development and community service while maintaining strong academic traditions.
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St. Martin's Episcopal School
Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana
St. Martin's Episcopal School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from 3 months through 12th grade. As the only International Baccalaureate World School in Jefferson Parish, St. Martin's offers both the IB Diploma Programme and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The 20-acre campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, performing arts centers, and dedicated STEM labs. The school maintains small class sizes with a 8:1 student-teacher ratio and offers robust extracurricular programs including championship athletics, fine arts, and community service initiatives.
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St. Angela Merici School
Archdiocese of New Orleans
St. Angela Merici School serves students from pre-K through 8th grade and is a popular choice for Chalmette families seeking Catholic education. The school features a strong academic foundation with dedicated STEM programs, comprehensive technology integration, and foreign language instruction. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, a library media center, and athletic fields. The school community emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and character development, with many graduates continuing to top Catholic high schools in the New Orleans area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Chalmette, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Chalmette, Louisiana, and what grade levels do they serve?
While Chalmette itself has a limited number of private schools, families in the area commonly consider several well-regarded institutions in nearby New Orleans and Metairie. The schools you mentioned—St. Mary's Dominican High School (all-girls, 9-12), St. Angela Merici School (co-ed, PK3-7), and St. Martin's Episcopal School (co-ed, PK3-12)—are all located in the greater New Orleans area, a short commute from Chalmette. For strictly Chalmette-based options, parents often look into local Catholic parishes that may offer elementary programs. It's important for Chalmette residents to factor in commute times across the Greater New Orleans area when exploring private school choices.
How does Louisiana's School Choice Program, like the Louisiana Scholarship Program, affect tuition for private schools accessible to Chalmette families?
Louisiana's unique School Choice Program can significantly impact affordability. The Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) allows eligible students from families with incomes below certain thresholds to attend participating private schools at no cost. Many of the top schools near Chalmette, including St. Angela Merici and St. Mary's Dominican, participate in this program. Eligibility is based on income and prior public school attendance. For families not qualifying for the LSP, many schools offer need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for members. It's crucial to contact each school's admissions office directly to understand specific tuition rates, aid packages, and voucher eligibility, as these can change annually.
Given Chalmette's location and culture, what types of specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable in local private schools?
Private schools in the Greater New Orleans area accessible to Chalmette students often offer programs deeply connected to Louisiana's culture and economic strengths. Many emphasize robust French language programs, reflecting the region's heritage. Schools like St. Martin's Episcopal offer engineering tracks and extensive arts programs. Given the area's maritime and energy industries, several schools have strong science and math curricula. Furthermore, a hallmark of many local Catholic and private schools is the integration of community service, particularly related to coastal restoration and hurricane recovery, providing students with hands-on, place-based learning experiences unique to Southeast Louisiana.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the New Orleans area that serve Chalmette residents?
The enrollment process for sought-after private schools near Chalmette is often highly structured and begins early. Most schools have application deadlines in January or February for the following academic year. The process typically includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and for some, performance on a standardized entrance exam like the HSPT. Many schools also require family interviews. Open houses usually occur in the fall. It is highly advisable for Chalmette parents to start research and attend open houses a full year in advance. Due to competitive seats, especially at the high school level, applying to more than one school is a common strategy.
How do the educational environments and outcomes of private schools in the Greater New Orleans area compare to the public schools in Chalmette, specifically Chalmette High School?
This is a key consideration for Chalmette parents. Chalmette High School, part of the St. Bernard Parish Public School System, is a well-regarded public school with a strong academic and athletic reputation. The choice often comes down to educational philosophy, class size, and specific programs. Private schools like St. Martin's or Dominican typically offer smaller class sizes, religious education (if faith-based), and often have different college counseling resources. However, they come with a significant financial cost unless using a scholarship. Public schools offer a free, comprehensive education with diverse extracurriculars. Parents should tour both types, compare standardized test scores, college matriculation lists, and most importantly, assess which environment best fits their child's learning style and family values.