The Best Private Schools in Colfax, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Colfax. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Alexandria Country Day School
Independent
Alexandria Country Day School is a highly-regarded independent school serving the Central Louisiana region, including Colfax families. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. Students benefit from advanced STEM programs, comprehensive fine arts education, and competitive athletic teams. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and performing arts spaces. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high due to the school's strong academic outcomes and nurturing environment that prepares students for top colleges and universities.
Programs:
Holy Savior Menard High School
Catholic Diocese of Alexandria
Holy Savior Menard High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving Colfax and surrounding communities. With a rich 75-year history, the school combines academic excellence with faith-based education. The curriculum includes numerous Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive religious studies, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, science laboratories, athletic complexes, and performing arts centers. The school maintains strong community ties and has a proven track record of graduating well-rounded students prepared for higher education.
Programs:
St. Mary's Residential Training School
Catholic Diocese of Alexandria
St. Mary's Residential Training School, located just minutes from Colfax in Boyce, offers both day and boarding programs for students throughout Central Louisiana. As one of the region's oldest and most established private schools, St. Mary's provides a comprehensive educational experience with strong college preparatory academics, competitive athletics, and vocational training programs. The extensive campus includes modern academic buildings, residential facilities, athletic fields, and specialized training centers. The school is particularly noted for its structured environment, character development programs, and strong sense of community that extends to Colfax area families.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Colfax, Louisiana
What are the realistic private school options for families living in Colfax, Louisiana, given that the top-named schools are in Alexandria?
While Colfax itself is a smaller town, families seeking private education typically look to nearby Alexandria, about a 30-minute drive away. The primary options include Alexandria Country Day School (pre-K through 8th grade, with a college-prep focus), Holy Savior Menard High School (a Catholic, co-educational high school), and St. Mary's Residential Training School (a specialized residential facility, not a traditional day school). For Colfax residents, this means commuting is a necessary consideration. Some families also explore smaller parochial schools in neighboring towns or consider the virtual programs sometimes offered by Louisiana private schools.
How does Louisiana's School Choice program, like the Louisiana Scholarship Program, affect tuition affordability for Colfax families considering private schools?
Louisiana's unique School Choice programs can significantly impact affordability. The Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) allows eligible students from lower-income families attending public schools graded C, D, F, or T to receive state-funded scholarships to attend participating private schools. For a Colfax family, this means schools like Holy Savior Menard High School may accept LSP scholarships, reducing out-of-pocket tuition costs. It's crucial to check each school's participation status and income eligibility requirements directly, as this state-specific program is a key financial consideration not available everywhere.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable at the private schools accessible from Colfax, LA?
The private schools near Colfax offer distinct specializations. Alexandria Country Day School is known for its strong STEM initiatives and gifted programming. Holy Savior Menard High School provides a comprehensive college-prep curriculum alongside robust theology courses and competitive athletics in the LHSAA. A unique aspect for Central Louisiana is the focus on programs that serve both urban and rural communities, such as agricultural science or environmental studies that leverage the local landscape. St. Mary's Residential Training School offers a completely different model focused on vocational training and residential care for students with specific needs, which is a notable regional resource.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Menard or Alexandria Country Day for a family moving to Colfax?
For Colfax families, planning ahead is essential due to limited seats and the commute factor. The main enrollment period for these Alexandria-area schools often begins in January for the following fall, with application deadlines by March. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview or student assessment. Because these schools draw from a wide regional area including Colfax, applying early is strongly advised. Many also host open houses in the fall, which would require a trip to Alexandria for prospective parents.
How do the educational environments and outcomes of private schools near Colfax compare to the local public school system in Grant Parish?
This is a key consideration for Colfax parents. The public schools in Grant Parish, including Colfax itself, offer a community-based education with no tuition. The private options in Alexandria generally feature smaller class sizes, religious education (in the case of Menard), and often a more intensive college-preparatory focus, as seen at Alexandria Country Day. Outcomes like standardized test scores and college acceptance rates are typically higher at these private institutions, but they come with the costs of tuition, fees, and daily commuting. The decision often hinges on a family's priorities for specific academic rigor, religious affiliation, and willingness to manage the logistics of a 30+ minute drive each way.