The Best Private Schools in Westlake, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Westlake. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Episcopal School of Acadiana
Independent Episcopal School
The Episcopal School of Acadiana is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from across Southwest Louisiana, including the Westlake area. The school offers a distinctive educational approach with Montessori methodology in lower grades transitioning to rigorous college preparatory curriculum in upper school. ESA emphasizes character development, outdoor education, and academic excellence with small class sizes averaging 12:1 student-teacher ratio. The 20-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities, with graduates consistently attending top-tier colleges and universities.
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St. Louis Catholic High School
Diocese of Lake Charles
St. Louis Catholic High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the Lake Charles area including Westlake. With a 100% college acceptance rate, the school offers a rigorous academic program featuring 18 Advanced Placement courses. The campus includes state-of-the-art science labs, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside academic excellence, with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and a comprehensive extracurricular program including championship athletic teams and award-winning fine arts programs.
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St. Margaret Catholic School
Diocese of Lake Charles
St. Margaret Catholic School provides exceptional education for students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, serving families throughout the Lake Charles metropolitan area including Westlake. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with strong emphasis on STEM education, literacy development, and Catholic values. Facilities include modern classrooms, science lab, computer lab, library, and gymnasium. The school maintains small class sizes with dedicated faculty and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including sports, choir, and academic competitions, preparing students for success in high school and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Westlake, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options available for families in Westlake, Louisiana, and what grade levels do they serve?
Westlake, LA, is served by a few notable private institutions, primarily with a Catholic affiliation. St. Margaret Catholic School offers a Pre-K through 8th-grade education, providing a foundational parochial education within the community. For high school, St. Louis Catholic High School in nearby Lake Charles is a major destination for Westlake families, offering grades 9-12. Additionally, The Episcopal School of Acadiana, with campuses in Lafayette and Cade, is a regional independent school option attracting some families from the Westlake area, though it requires a commute. The availability emphasizes the importance of planning for the transition from elementary/middle to high school within the private school landscape of Calcasieu Parish.
How does tuition at private schools in the Westlake, Louisiana, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Louisiana residents?
Tuition varies significantly among the top schools near Westlake. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Margaret Catholic School's tuition is approximately $5,000-$7,000 annually, while St. Louis Catholic High School is roughly $9,000-$11,000. The Episcopal School of Acadiana, as a prestigious independent school, has tuition exceeding $20,000. A critical financial consideration for Louisiana residents is the Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program, which allows individuals and businesses to receive a state tax credit for donations to nonprofit organizations that provide scholarships to K-12 students attending private schools. This program can fund need-based scholarships, making private education more accessible for eligible Westlake families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Westlake students that leverage the local context?
Private schools in the Lake Charles/Westlake area integrate regional strengths into their programs. St. Louis Catholic High School features a robust Engineering and Robotics program, aligning with the industrial and petrochemical economy of Southwest Louisiana. Many schools, including St. Margaret, emphasize environmental science and coastal studies, given Louisiana's vulnerable ecosystem. Furthermore, Catholic schools in the area often have strong service-learning requirements that connect students with local community organizations in Calcasieu Parish. The Episcopal School of Acadiana offers a distinctive outdoor education and farm program on its Cade campus, though its distance from Westlake is a consideration.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like St. Margaret and St. Louis Catholic High for Westlake families?
The enrollment process for Westlake-area private schools is competitive and requires early planning. For St. Margaret Catholic School (Pre-K-8), applications often open in January for the following fall, with priority given to siblings and parish members of St. John Bosco Catholic Church. St. Louis Catholic High School holds its entrance exam (the High School Placement Test) typically in December or January for 8th graders seeking 9th-grade admission. Application deadlines are usually in early spring. Both schools require transcripts, recommendations, and often a family interview. Given the limited seats, especially in specific entry grades, Westlake parents are advised to begin inquiries a full year in advance.
For a family in Westlake, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (like Westlake High School) and the available private options?
The decision hinges on several Westlake-specific factors. Academically, private schools like St. Louis Catholic often boast smaller class sizes and college preparatory tracks with near-100% college acceptance rates. Religiosity is a major differentiator; Catholic schools integrate faith into daily instruction. Extracurricularly, Westlake High School (a public school) may offer certain larger-scale athletic programs due to its classification. Logistically, private schools require tuition and potentially a commute to Lake Charles, whereas public school is tuition-free and locally zoned. Ultimately, families must weigh the value of a specific religious or independent education against the community-based, no-cost public option, considering their child's academic needs and the family's financial and logistical situation in Calcasieu Parish.