The Best Private Schools in Youngsville, Louisiana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Youngsville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ascension Episcopal School
Ascension Episcopal School
Ascension Episcopal School is a highly-regarded private institution serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located in Youngsville, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and spiritual growth. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 10:1, ensuring personalized attention. Ascension consistently achieves high college acceptance rates and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, and community service programs.
Programs:
St. Thomas More Catholic High School
Diocese of Lafayette
St. Thomas More Catholic High School is a premier college preparatory school serving the Greater Lafayette area, including Youngsville families. The school offers a rigorous academic program with over 20 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM academy. With a strong Catholic identity and commitment to faith formation, STM provides a values-based education while maintaining exceptional academic standards. The 40-acre campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated fine arts spaces. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and has earned numerous state championships in athletics and academic competitions.
Programs:
Episcopal School of Acadiana
Episcopal School of Acadiana
Episcopal School of Acadiana serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade across its two campuses, with the Broussard campus conveniently located near Youngsville. ESA emphasizes academic excellence within a supportive Christian environment, offering a challenging college preparatory curriculum with strong Advanced Placement offerings. The school is particularly noted for its outdoor education program, character development focus, and commitment to community service. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, ESA provides personalized education that prepares students for top colleges while developing well-rounded individuals. The campus features modern academic facilities, athletic fields, and dedicated arts spaces.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Youngsville, Louisiana
What are the primary private school options serving families in Youngsville, Louisiana, and what are their educational approaches?
Youngsville itself is primarily served by nearby private schools in the broader Lafayette Parish area. The most prominent include Ascension Episcopal School (with a campus in nearby Lafayette), which offers a college-preparatory education from Pre-K through 12th grade rooted in Episcopal values. St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette provides a comprehensive Catholic education for grades 8-12. Episcopal School of Acadiana (ESA), located in Cade, is a prestigious independent day school for grades 7-12 known for its rigorous academics and honor code. For younger students, many Youngsville families also consider local Catholic elementary schools. Transportation and commute times to these campuses are a key consideration for Youngsville residents.
How does Louisiana's School Choice program, like the Louisiana Scholarship Program, affect private school tuition for Youngsville families?
Louisiana's unique School Choice programs can significantly impact affordability. The Louisiana Scholarship Program provides state-funded vouchers for eligible students from low-to-moderate income families to attend participating private schools. Eligibility is based on income and prior public school attendance. Many of the schools serving Youngsville, such as St. Thomas More, participate in this program. Additionally, the Tuition Donation Rebate Program allows donors to contribute to scholarship-granting organizations and receive a state tax credit, which increases need-based scholarship funds. It's crucial for Youngsville parents to inquire directly with each school about their participation in these state-specific programs and application processes for financial aid.
Given Youngsville's rapid growth and strong community ties, what unique extracurricular or academic programs do local private schools emphasize?
Reflecting South Louisiana's culture and economy, private schools serving Youngsville often have distinctive programs. Many integrate Louisiana history and French language studies deeply into their curriculum. Schools like Ascension Episcopal and ESA often have strong connections to the local energy, medical, and agricultural industries, facilitating robust STEM programs and internships. Extracurricularly, there is a major emphasis on competitive sports (especially football, baseball, and soccer), performing arts tied to Cajun and Creole traditions, and community service projects focused on coastal restoration and local charities. This blend of academic rigor with deep regional cultural immersion is a hallmark of the area's private education.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Youngsville, LA area, and when should applications be submitted?
For the top-tier private schools serving Youngsville, the process is highly structured and often begins over a year in advance. Application deadlines for the following academic year typically fall between December and February for schools like Episcopal School of Acadiana and Ascension Episcopal. The process usually includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing (like the ISEE or HSPT), and a family interview. Sibling and legacy applicant deadlines may be even earlier. Given the competitive nature and limited seats, especially in entry grades (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 7th, and 9th), Youngsville parents are advised to start researching and attending open houses in the fall, 15-18 months before desired enrollment.
For a family moving to Youngsville, how do the class sizes and student-teacher ratios in local private schools compare to the highly-rated public schools in the area?
Youngsville is part of the Lafayette Parish School System, which includes well-regarded public schools like Southside High. The primary difference lies in scale and individual attention. Private schools like Ascension Episcopal and ESA typically maintain much smaller class sizes, often ranging from 12-18 students, with student-teacher ratios as low as 8:1 or 10:1. This allows for highly personalized instruction. In contrast, public schools, while offering excellent programs and newer facilities due to the area's growth, have larger class sizes that can approach 25-30 students. The choice often comes down to a preference for a specific religious or value-based education, a particular pedagogical approach, and the level of individualized attention, versus the no-tuition cost and diverse, community-based environment of the public system.