The Best Private Schools in Jennings, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Jennings. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ascension Episcopal School
Ascension Episcopal School
Ascension Episcopal School is a highly-regarded private school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located approximately 30 miles from Jennings, this accredited institution offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a strong emphasis on character development and academic excellence, Ascension provides comprehensive extracurricular programs in athletics, arts, and community service. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and offers advanced placement courses alongside robust STEM and fine arts programs.
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Westminster Christian Academy
Westminster Christian Academy
Westminster Christian Academy is a premier Christian private school serving the Southwest Louisiana region, including families from Jennings. Offering education from Pre-K through 12th grade, WCA combines academic excellence with spiritual development through a comprehensive biblical worldview curriculum. The school features modern facilities including technology-enhanced classrooms, science laboratories, and extensive athletic facilities. Westminster offers a robust college preparatory program with Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, and diverse fine arts opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement.
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St. Louis Catholic High School
Diocese of Lake Charles
St. Louis Catholic High School is a long-established private Catholic school serving the Lake Charles area and surrounding communities including Jennings. As a diocesan school, it provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations for grades 9-12. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, honors programs, and dual enrollment opportunities. Facilities include modern science labs, technology centers, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. St. Louis emphasizes holistic student development through extensive extracurricular programs, community service requirements, and spiritual formation. The school has a strong tradition of academic excellence and college placement success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Jennings, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in Jennings, Louisiana, and are they located directly in the city?
While Jennings itself is a smaller city, the most prominent private schools serving the area are located in nearby communities. The top options include Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette (PreK-12), Westminster Christian Academy in Opelousas (K-12), and St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles (9-12). Many families in Jennings commute to these schools, which are within a 30-45 minute drive. There are also smaller parochial elementary options more locally, such as those associated with local Catholic parishes. This regional approach means parents in Jennings have access to a variety of educational philosophies, from college-preparatory to faith-based, but should factor in transportation.
How does Louisiana's School Choice Program, like the Louisiana Scholarship Program, affect tuition for private schools near Jennings?
Louisiana's unique School Choice initiatives 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. Several schools in the region, including some of those serving Jennings families, participate. Additionally, the Tuition Donation Rebate Program offers state tax credits for donations to organizations that provide private school scholarships. It's crucial to contact schools like Westminster Christian Academy or Ascension Episcopal directly to confirm their participation status and specific eligibility requirements, as these programs can make private education more accessible for Jefferson Davis Parish residents.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable at the private schools serving the Jennings, LA area?
Given the regional economic drivers, private schools near Jennings often offer strong programs in STEM, agriculture, and the arts. For instance, St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles has robust engineering and biomedical science tracks, reflecting the area's industrial and medical sectors. Westminster Christian Academy emphasizes agricultural science and FFA, highly relevant to the surrounding rural communities. Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette is known for its strong arts integration and college-prep curriculum. Many of these schools also offer distinctive extracurriculars like competitive shooting sports, fishing teams, or robust community service programs tied to local needs, providing a well-rounded experience that connects to the South Louisiana culture and economy.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Jennings, Louisiana region?
For the sought-after private schools serving Jennings, the process often begins a full year in advance. Application windows for the following academic year typically open in September or October, with deadlines between January and March. Key steps include submitting an application, academic records, standardized test scores (like the ISEE or HSPT), teacher recommendations, and attending a family interview or student assessment day. Sibling and legacy applicants often receive priority. Given the limited seats and competitive nature of schools like Ascension Episcopal and Westminster Christian, it is highly advised to attend open houses in the fall, start the process early, and ensure all materials are submitted promptly. Waiting lists are common.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools near Jennings compare to the public schools in Jefferson Davis Parish?
Private schools in the Jennings area typically offer significantly smaller class sizes, often ranging from 15-20 students compared to larger public school classrooms. This allows for more individualized attention. The community environment is also distinct; schools like St. Louis Catholic High foster a close-knit, faith-based community with required theology classes and mass, while Westminster Christian Academy offers a Protestant Christian perspective. Public schools in Jefferson Davis Parish, like Jennings High School, provide a broader, more diverse peer group and state-funded programs. The choice often hinges on whether a family prioritizes a specific religious foundation and small-scale setting or prefers the no-tuition, comprehensive offerings of the public system, which may include stronger state-funded career and technical education pathways.
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