The Best Private Schools in Roanoke, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Roanoke. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School
Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana
Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School is a top-rated private Episcopal school that serves students from Roanoke and the surrounding region. It provides a balanced education from early childhood through 8th grade, with a focus on academic excellence, STEM initiatives, and arts integration. The school boasts small class sizes, experienced teachers, and a nurturing environment that promotes moral and character development. Facilities include technology-enhanced classrooms, libraries, and playgrounds. It is known for its strong parent community and high satisfaction rates.
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St. Louis Catholic High School
Diocese of Lake Charles
St. Louis Catholic High School is a highly regarded private Catholic school serving the Roanoke area and broader Southwest Louisiana. It offers a rigorous academic curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, strong athletic programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. The school emphasizes faith-based education, community service, and college readiness, with a track record of high graduation and college acceptance rates. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, a gymnasium, and athletic fields. Parent satisfaction is high due to its dedicated faculty and supportive environment.
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The Montessori School of Lake Charles
Independent
The Montessori School of Lake Charles is a respected private school offering Montessori-based education for children from infancy through elementary grades, serving families in Roanoke and nearby areas. It emphasizes child-centered learning, independence, and holistic development through hands-on activities and individualized instruction. The school features well-equipped classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and a variety of enrichment programs in arts, music, and practical life skills. With a focus on fostering curiosity and respect, it has garnered positive reviews for its dedicated staff and inclusive community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Roanoke, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in or near Roanoke, Louisiana?
While Roanoke itself is a small community, families typically look to nearby Lake Charles for the main concentration of private schools. The most prominent options include St. Louis Catholic High School (grades 8-12) in Lake Charles, which is the only Catholic high school in the area, Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School (pre-K through 8th grade) also in Lake Charles, and The Montessori School of Lake Charles. For Roanoke residents, these schools involve a commute, but they represent the primary independent and faith-based education providers serving the wider Calcasieu Parish region.
How does the Louisiana School Choice Program, like the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence (SSEE), impact private school tuition for Roanoke families?
Louisiana's SSEE program (often called the voucher program) can significantly reduce tuition costs for eligible families in Roanoke. This state-funded program provides scholarships for students from low-to-moderate income families or those attending low-performing public schools to attend participating private schools. Both St. Louis Catholic High School and Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School are participating schools. Eligibility is based on income and prior public school attendance, making private education more accessible for qualifying families in Calcasieu Parish.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving the Roanoke, LA area that leverage local culture or industry?
Private schools in the Lake Charles/Roanoke area often integrate programs connected to Southwest Louisiana's strong industrial and cultural landscape. St. Louis Catholic High School, for instance, offers robust STEM and engineering pathways that align with the region's petrochemical and energy sectors. Furthermore, schools like Bishop Noland incorporate Louisiana history and Cajun/Creole cultural studies into their curriculum. The proximity to the Creole Nature Trail and local wetlands also influences science and environmental programs, providing unique, place-based learning opportunities not always found elsewhere.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Louis Catholic High School for a student from Roanoke?
The enrollment process for schools serving Roanoke typically begins very early. For St. Louis Catholic High School and Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School, open enrollment for the following academic year often starts in January or February, with priority given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of supporting Catholic churches. Families from Roanoke should plan to submit applications by early spring. The process usually includes submitting academic records, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview. Due to limited seats, especially in the lower grades, applying as soon as the window opens is crucial.
How do transportation and the commute factor into choosing a private school for Roanoke, LA residents?
Transportation is a significant practical consideration for Roanoke families, as all major private schools are located in Lake Charles, approximately a 20-30 minute drive away. None of the primary private schools provide standard bus transportation from Roanoke itself. Therefore, parents must commit to daily carpooling or arranging private transportation. Some families form carpools with others from the Roanoke, Iowa, and Lake Charles areas. This commute is a key differentiator from the local public school system, which provides busing within the Roanoke community, and is an important logistical and time-cost factor to weigh in the decision-making process.
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