The Best Private Schools in Port Barre, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Port Barre. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ascension Episcopal School
Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana
Ascension Episcopal School is a premier private school located approximately 25 miles from Port Barre in Lafayette. Serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade, the school offers an exceptional academic program with Advanced Placement courses and is currently pursuing International Baccalaureate authorization. The campus features cutting-edge facilities including science and innovation labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and offers comprehensive college counseling services. Extracurricular programs include championship athletics, fine arts, and numerous student organizations.
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St. Edmund Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Lafayette
St. Edmund Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located approximately 15 miles from Port Barre, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on faith formation and academic excellence. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and offers extensive extracurricular programs including competitive sports, fine arts, and community service opportunities.
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Opelousas Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Lafayette
Opelousas Catholic School serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade and is located just 8 miles from Port Barre. The school provides a rigorous academic program with multiple Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges. The campus features recently renovated facilities including state-of-the-art science laboratories, a comprehensive library, and modern athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including championship athletic programs, performing arts, and academic competitions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Port Barre, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options serving families in Port Barre, Louisiana, and are they located within the town itself?
Port Barre itself is a small town, so most private school options are located in nearby communities. The primary schools that serve Port Barre families include St. Edmund Catholic School in Eunice (about 15 miles away), Opelousas Catholic School in Opelousas (approximately 8 miles away), and Ascension Episcopal School, which has a Lower School campus in Lafayette (roughly 25 miles away). There are no major private school campuses physically located within Port Barre's town limits, so transportation or carpooling is a key consideration for local parents.
How does tuition at private schools near Port Barre, LA, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the schools serving Port Barre is generally below the national private school average but aligns with regional Louisiana costs. For the 2023-2024 academic year, elementary tuition at these schools often ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 annually, with high school levels being higher. Louisiana's Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, often called the Louisiana School Choice Program or voucher program, is a significant financial consideration. Eligible families can use these state-funded vouchers to help cover tuition at participating private schools like Opelousas Catholic and St. Edmund. Additionally, most schools offer parish subsidies for active Catholic families, need-based financial aid, and sibling discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Port Barre area that reflect the local culture?
Private schools in the Port Barre area strongly integrate Louisiana's unique Cajun and Catholic heritage into their programs. St. Edmund and Opelousas Catholic offer robust French language programs that often include Cajun French cultural components. Many schools have strong athletics, with football and baseball being particularly prominent in the local sports culture. Opelousas Catholic and Ascension Episcopal provide competitive college-preparatory tracks with advanced STEM and dual-enrollment opportunities through partnerships with local colleges like LSU Eunice and South Louisiana Community College. Additionally, community service and faith-based education are central components at the Catholic schools, reflecting the values of the surrounding community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Port Barre, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for schools like Opelousas Catholic and St. Edmund typically begins in January or February for the following academic year. Re-enrollment for current families happens first, with open enrollment for new families announced shortly after. Due to the limited number of seats and the schools' reputations in St. Landry and Evangeline Parishes, it is common for certain grade levels to have waitlists, especially in early elementary grades. The process usually involves submitting an application, academic records, standardized test scores, a pastor/principal recommendation (for Catholic schools), and often a family interview. Parents from Port Barre are advised to begin inquiries early in the calendar year to secure placement.
For a Port Barre resident, what are the key factors when choosing between the local public school system and a private school in a neighboring town?
The decision often hinges on several location-specific factors. Academically, private schools like Opelousas Catholic often have smaller class sizes and different curricular offerings compared to Port Barre's public schools. The daily commute to a school in Opelousas, Eunice, or Lafayette is a major practical consideration, impacting family logistics and transportation costs. Culturally, families may choose a private Catholic school for its faith-based environment, which is a cornerstone of the Acadiana region. Financially, the availability of Louisiana state vouchers can make private school tuition feasible for qualifying families who might not otherwise consider it. Lastly, for families seeking specific college-prep tracks or consistent extracurricular programs, the private options may provide more structured pathways, albeit with the trade-off of distance from the immediate Port Barre community.
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