The Best Private Schools in Taylor, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Taylor. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Catholic School
Diocese of Alexandria
St. Mary's Catholic School is a highly-regarded Pre-K through 12th grade institution serving central Louisiana, including the Taylor area. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, 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, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and offers extensive extracurricular programs including competitive sports, robotics, theater, and community service opportunities. St. Mary's consistently achieves high college acceptance rates and has a strong reputation for developing well-rounded students.
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Ascension Episcopal School
Independent Episcopal School
Ascension Episcopal School is a premier independent school serving students from across central Louisiana, including the Taylor area. As an International Baccalaureate World School, Ascension offers the prestigious IB Diploma Programme alongside traditional college preparatory tracks. The school features a beautiful 27-acre campus with modern academic buildings, performing arts center, athletic complexes, and technology-enhanced learning spaces. Ascension emphasizes whole-child education through its Episcopal tradition, balancing academic rigor with character development. The school offers extensive co-curricular programs including championship athletics, competitive robotics, comprehensive arts education, and global learning opportunities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Ascension consistently produces graduates who excel at top universities nationwide.
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Holy Savior Menard Central High School
Diocese of Alexandria
Holy Savior Menard Central High School is a distinguished Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Taylor and surrounding central Louisiana communities. The school offers a rigorous academic program with multiple Advanced Placement courses and honors tracks. Menard's campus includes state-of-the-art science and computer labs, extensive athletic facilities, and modern classrooms. The school emphasizes character development through its Catholic identity while providing comprehensive extracurricular opportunities including championship athletic programs, competitive academic teams, and vibrant arts programs. With a strong alumni network and proven track record of college placements, Menard prepares students for success in higher education and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Taylor, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in Taylor, Louisiana, and what grade levels do they serve?
In the Taylor, Louisiana area, the main private school options are St. Mary's Catholic School (typically Pre-K through 8th grade), Holy Savior Menard Central High School (serving grades 7-12), and Ascension Episcopal School, which is a Pre-K through 12th grade college-preparatory school located nearby. It's important to note that Taylor itself is a small community, so some of these schools, like Ascension Episcopal and Menard, are located in neighboring Alexandria but serve the broader Central Louisiana region, including Taylor residents. This means families often consider a short commute for private education.
How does tuition at private schools in the Taylor, Louisiana area compare, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in the Taylor area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range from approximately $5,000-$8,000 annually for elementary grades at parish-based schools like St. Mary's, to over $15,000 for upper grades at college-preparatory schools like Ascension Episcopal. A key Louisiana-specific financial aid program is the Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program (LTDC), which provides tax credits for donations to nonprofit organizations that grant scholarships to eligible students attending private schools. Additionally, many local schools offer parish subsidies for members, need-based financial aid, and sibling discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Taylor, LA, that leverage the local culture or environment?
Private schools in Central Louisiana, including those serving Taylor, often integrate regional culture and opportunities into their programs. For example, Ascension Episcopal School emphasizes a college-prep curriculum with strong arts and athletics. Holy Savior Menard Central High School offers a distinctive Naval Junior ROTC program and has a strong tradition in Louisiana high school sports. St. Mary's Catholic School provides a faith-based education rooted in the local community. Furthermore, schools in this area may participate in unique local competitions like the Louisiana Literary Rally and have agriculture or environmental science programs that connect to the state's natural resources.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Taylor, Louisiana region, and are there important local deadlines?
The enrollment process for private schools around Taylor generally begins in the winter for the following fall semester. Key steps include: 1) **Open Houses (January-February):** Schools like Ascension Episcopal and Menard host open houses. 2) **Application Deadline (Varies by school, often March-April):** This is critical, especially for competitive grades. 3) **Entrance Testing/Assessments:** Required for most schools, typically scheduled in early spring. 4) **Financial Aid Applications:** Due in spring, coinciding with the Louisiana LTDC program deadlines. For parish-affiliated schools like St. Mary's, priority is often given to active parish members. It's highly advised to contact schools directly by January, as some grades have waiting lists.
For a family in Taylor, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school (Rapides Parish Public Schools) and a private school?
Families in Taylor must weigh several local factors. **Transportation:** Rapides Parish provides busing; private schools typically do not, requiring a daily commute to Alexandria or nearby towns. **Cost vs. Investment:** Public schools are tuition-free. Private schools require tuition but may offer smaller class sizes and specific religious or pedagogical approaches. **Academic & Extracurricular Focus:** Rapides Parish schools offer standard curricula and sports. Private options like Menard or Ascension Episcopal provide college-prep tracks, specific religious education, or specialized programs like JROTC. **Community Environment:** Taylor's public schools are part of the larger parish system, while private schools often foster tight-knit, specific community identities. Visiting both types is essential to feel the difference in environment.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Non-Religious Private Schools Near Taylor, Louisiana for Your Child
For parents in Taylor, Louisiana, beginning the search for the right educational environment for your child can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You want a setting that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and a strong sense of community, but you may also be specifically looking for options outside of a religious framework. When you type "non religious private schools near me" into a search engine, you might find that the immediate landscape around Taylor presents a particular set of considerations. Taylor and the broader Rapides Parish area have a rich tradition of faith-based education, with excellent institutions like St. Mary's Catholic School and Holy Savior Menard Central High School serving families for generations. This prominence means that identifying a truly secular private option requires looking at the wider Alexandria metropolitan area and understanding the distinct educational philosophy you're seeking.
The quest for a non-religious private school is often about finding an institution where the core curriculum and daily school life are not intertwined with the doctrine or worship practices of a specific faith. Parents may seek this for a variety of personal reasons, including a desire for a purely secular ethical framework or a focus on humanistic values. In our region, this search frequently leads families to consider independent schools that define their mission around academic rigor, character education, and global citizenship without a religious affiliation. While Ascension Episcopal School in nearby Lafayette has "Episcopal" in its name, it's important for parents to directly inquire about how faith is integrated into the classroom, as some church-affiliated schools offer a more inclusive environment than others, welcoming families of all beliefs.
Expanding your search geographically is a practical step. The city of Alexandria, just a short drive from Taylor, may house independent academies or college-preparatory schools that align with a non-sectarian approach. When evaluating these options, we recommend scheduling in-person tours and asking pointed questions. Inquire about the school's founding philosophy, the content of its character education program, and whether chapel or religious studies are required components of the school day. Observe the artwork in the halls and the topics of student projects to get a genuine feel for the school's cultural focus. For families in Taylor, the commute becomes part of the calculation, but many find the alignment of values worth the drive.
Ultimately, finding the right fit is about matching your child’s needs with a school’s environment. The process for locating non religious private schools near you involves diligent research, clear communication about your family's priorities, and a willingness to explore the educational offerings within a reasonable radius of our community. The investment of time ensures your child will thrive in a setting that respects your worldview while challenging them intellectually. Remember, the perfect school is one where your child is known, inspired, and prepared to engage thoughtfully with an increasingly diverse world, right from the heart of Central Louisiana.
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