The Best Private Schools in Dunstable, Massachusetts
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Dunstable. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bishop Guertin High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester
Bishop Guertin High School is a private Catholic high school serving grades 9-12, known for its strong academic reputation and holistic education approach. It features a challenging curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement and honors courses, robust STEM programs, and extensive arts and athletic offerings. The school boasts high teacher quality, state-of-the-art facilities including a new innovation lab, and a vibrant community with over 50 clubs and activities. Parent reviews highlight exceptional student support and college acceptance rates, making it a preferred option for Dunstable families seeking a well-rounded education.
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Austin Preparatory School
Independent Augustinian Catholic School
Austin Preparatory School is an independent Augustinian Catholic school for grades 6-12, emphasizing academic rigor within a values-based environment. It offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, specialized programs in STEM and humanities, and small class sizes led by experienced faculty. The campus features advanced science and technology labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. Extracurriculars include debate, robotics, and sports, fostering high levels of parent and student satisfaction. Despite being founded slightly before the target range, it is highly regarded for its consistent academic outcomes and community engagement, serving the Dunstable region effectively.
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The Academy of Notre Dame
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
The Academy of Notre Dame is a coeducational Catholic school serving students from Pre-K through grade 12. It offers a rigorous academic curriculum with strong emphasis on college preparation, featuring Advanced Placement courses, dedicated faculty with small class sizes, and a supportive faith-based community. The campus includes modern facilities such as science labs, technology centers, and athletic fields. Extracurricular programs encompass robotics, arts, sports, and community service, contributing to high parent satisfaction and student success rates. While founded earlier than the ideal range, it remains a top-rated choice for families in the Dunstable area due to its academic excellence and comprehensive programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Dunstable, Massachusetts
What are the primary private school options for Dunstable, MA residents, and are they located within the town?
Dunstable itself is a small town without a private school campus within its borders. However, families in Dunstable commonly consider several highly-regarded nearby private institutions. These include The Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro (co-ed, Pre-K-12), Austin Preparatory School in Reading (co-ed, 6-12), and Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, NH (co-ed, 9-12). It's important to note that Bishop Guertin is across the state line, but is a popular choice for Dunstable families due to proximity and its Catholic college-preparatory curriculum. Transportation to these schools is typically the family's responsibility.
How does the tuition for private schools near Dunstable, MA compare, and are there state-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the top schools near Dunstable varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range of approximately $15,000 to $25,000+ for day students, with high schools generally at the higher end. Massachusetts offers specific financial aid opportunities that Dunstable residents can access. The most notable is the **School Choice program**, though this primarily applies to public schools. For private schools, many participate in the **Tax-Exempt Scholarship Donation Program** (M.G.L. Ch. 62, § 6F), which encourages donations to school scholarship funds by offering state tax credits to donors, thereby increasing aid availability. Additionally, the **John and Abigail Adams Scholarship** for public university tuition is based on MCAS scores, which private school students can still qualify for if they take the MCAS.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving the Dunstable, MA community?
Schools in this region offer distinctive programs leveraging their specific missions and resources. The Academy of Notre Dame emphasizes a STEM-focused curriculum for young women in its upper school, with robust engineering and science research opportunities. Austin Preparatory School, following the Augustinian tradition, offers a unique "House System" for student mentorship and community, along with strong humanities and theater programs. Bishop Guertin High School features a renowned Center for Engineering, Robotics, and Computer Science, as well as a comprehensive athletics program competing in New Hampshire's top division. For Dunstable students interested in specialized tracks like engineering or single-gender STEM education, these local options provide clear pathways.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Dunstable, MA, and how early should we apply?
The admissions cycle for competitive private schools in the Greater Lowell/Nashua area is consistent. The process typically begins in the fall (September-October) with open houses. Application deadlines are often in **January or early February** for the following academic year. Key steps include submitting an application, standardized test scores (like the ISEE or SSAT), transcripts, teacher recommendations, and a family interview. Notification dates are usually in **March**. For Dunstable families, it's crucial to start research and visits a full year in advance, especially for entry points like Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades. Given that these schools draw from a wide regional pool, applying by the priority deadline is strongly advised.
How do the class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios in Dunstable's public schools compare to the nearby private school options?
Dunstable's public school students are part of the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, which is highly rated and features average class sizes in the low-to-mid 20s. In contrast, the leading private schools near Dunstable often boast significantly smaller class sizes, typically ranging from 12 to 18 students, with student-to-teacher ratios around 10:1 or 12:1. This allows for more individualized attention. The choice often comes down to preference: the excellent, no-tuition public district with a traditional class size versus a private investment for a smaller, often more mission-driven (e.g., Catholic college-prep) environment with a different community footprint. Many Dunstable families value the district's schools, while others seek the specific religious identity or specialized academic focus of the private institutions.
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