The Best Private Schools in Simpson, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Simpson. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Christ Episcopal School
Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana
Christ Episcopal School is an acclaimed independent school offering education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Situated about 25 minutes from Simpson in Covington, the school provides a challenging academic environment with Advanced Placement courses and is currently an International Baccalaureate candidate school. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including dedicated science and technology labs, extensive athletic facilities, and performing arts centers. The school emphasizes global citizenship, community service, and holistic student development while maintaining small class sizes and personalized attention.
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Northlake Christian School
Independent Christian School
Northlake Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located approximately 30 minutes from Simpson in Covington, it offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with advanced placement courses, dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges, and robust STEM programs. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence and maintains strong college acceptance rates to universities nationwide.
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Holy Ghost Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Holy Ghost Catholic School serves students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade and is located approximately 20 minutes from Simpson in Hammond. As one of the longest-established private schools in the area, it offers a strong foundation in Catholic values combined with rigorous academics. The school features a comprehensive STEAM curriculum, modern technology integration, and extensive extracurricular programs including sports, music, and art. The campus includes well-equipped classrooms, science labs, library facilities, and recreational areas, providing a nurturing environment focused on academic excellence and character formation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Simpson, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Simpson, Louisiana?
While Simpson itself is a small community, families in the area typically look to nearby Covington and Mandeville for private school options. The most prominent schools serving the Simpson area include Northlake Christian School in Covington (Pre-K through 12th grade), Christ Episcopal School in Covington (Pre-K through 8th grade), and Holy Ghost Catholic School in Hammond (Pre-K through 8th grade). These schools are within a reasonable commuting distance and represent the main independent, Episcopal, and Catholic educational frameworks available. Availability can vary by grade level, so contacting schools directly for current openings is essential.
What is the typical tuition range for private schools serving Simpson, LA, and are there any Louisiana-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the primary private schools in the Northshore region varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $6,000 to $12,000 annually for elementary grades at parochial schools like Holy Ghost, and $8,000 to $15,000+ for independent schools like Northlake Christian. A significant Louisiana-specific benefit is the Louisiana School Choice Program, which includes the Louisiana Scholarship Program (vouchers for eligible families based on income and residency) and the Tuition Donation Credit Program. These can substantially reduce costs for qualifying families. Each school's financial aid office can provide specific details and application procedures.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Simpson offer that leverage the local Louisiana culture or environment?
Schools in the Northshore area often integrate Louisiana's unique cultural and ecological heritage into their programs. Northlake Christian School, for instance, may offer environmental science projects that utilize the local wetlands and Lake Pontchartrain basin. Christ Episcopal School and Holy Ghost Catholic School incorporate Louisiana history and French cultural studies prominently into their social studies curricula. Extracurricularly, many schools participate in regional competitions like the Louisiana Literary Rally and may have strong bands or arts programs that celebrate jazz and other local musical traditions, providing a distinct educational experience rooted in the state's identity.
How do enrollment timelines and processes work for private schools in the Simpson area, and when should parents apply?
Enrollment for private schools in the Northshore region typically follows an annual cycle. Critical deadlines often fall between January and March for the following academic year, with many schools hosting open houses in the fall. For example, Northlake Christian and Christ Episcopal usually have application deadlines in early spring for priority consideration, with rolling admissions afterward if spaces remain. Siblings of current students and parishioners (for Catholic schools) often receive priority. Given the competitive nature for certain grade levels, especially kindergarten and middle school entry points, parents in Simpson are advised to begin research and tours a full year in advance.
For a family in Simpson, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school options (like St. Tammany Parish Public Schools) with the available private schools?
The key considerations for Simpson families include educational approach, class size, and transportation. St. Tammany Parish Public Schools are highly rated in Louisiana but operate on a zoned system; your specific assigned school depends on your address. Private schools offer a choice based on religious affiliation (e.g., Christian worldview at Northlake, Episcopal at Christ Episcopal, Catholic at Holy Ghost) or specific pedagogical focus, often with smaller class sizes. A major practical difference is transportation; public schools provide bus service, while private schools usually require parent-provided transportation, a significant factor for the rural Simpson area. Additionally, private schools may offer more consistent extracurricular programming despite their smaller size, while public schools provide a broader diversity of student backgrounds.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Non-Religious Private Schools in Simpson, Louisiana for Your Child
For parents in Simpson, Louisiana, beginning the search for the right educational environment for their child can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You may be typing phrases like "non religious private schools near me" into your search engine, seeking an alternative to the excellent faith-based institutions that are prominent in our community, such as Northlake Christian School, Christ Episcopal School, or Holy Ghost Catholic School. It’s important to know that while these schools provide outstanding education rooted in specific values, your quest for a secular private option is a valid and important one, though it requires a slightly broader geographic lens when considering the immediate Simpson area.
Simpson itself is a close-knit community where many families value the personalized attention and high academic standards that private education offers. The local landscape is predominantly served by religiously affiliated schools, which are often deeply woven into the social and civic fabric of the Northshore region. This means that families specifically seeking a non-sectarian environment may need to look toward neighboring cities like Covington, Mandeville, or even Slidell to find a school whose curriculum and community ethos are explicitly independent of religious doctrine. The commute becomes a practical consideration, but for many parents, it is a worthwhile investment to find the perfect philosophical fit.
When expanding your search beyond Simpson, it’s crucial to define what "non religious" means for your family. Some private schools are fully secular, with no religious affiliation or instruction. Others might be founded on a faith tradition but adopt a more inclusive, non-doctrinal approach in their daily classroom activities, focusing on universal values. As you research, don’t hesitate to contact admissions directors and ask pointed questions about the role of religion in the curriculum, at assemblies, and in the school's mission statement. A visit will tell you more than any website; observe the classroom walls, listen to the morning announcements, and ask current parents about the school culture.
The benefits you’re likely seeking—smaller class sizes, enriched academic programs, and a strong sense of community—are absolutely available in secular private settings. These schools often emphasize critical thinking, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives, and character education based on civic virtues rather than religious texts. In the broader Northshore area, you may find options that leverage our unique Louisiana environment, with programs in environmental science, coastal studies, or cultural arts that connect students to our regional heritage in a secular context.
Ultimately, your search for non religious private schools near Simpson is a journey toward finding a place where your child’s intellectual and personal growth is nurtured in alignment with your family’s values. While it may involve looking at schools a short drive away, the vibrant private education network in St. Tammany Parish means you have access to diverse and high-quality options. Be patient, be thorough in your research, and trust that the right environment for your child—one that challenges their mind and respects your chosen worldview—is within reach here in Louisiana's Northshore.