The Best Private Schools in Clawson, Michigan
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Clawson. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
University Liggett School
Independent School
University Liggett School is a highly-regarded independent school serving families throughout metro Detroit, including Clawson residents. The school offers a comprehensive educational program from Montessori early childhood through high school, featuring the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Known for its innovative curriculum and strong college preparatory focus, University Liggett provides small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and exceptional facilities. The school emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development, with graduates consistently achieving admission to selective colleges and universities nationwide.
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Cranbrook Schools
Cranbrook Educational Community
Cranbrook Schools is a prestigious independent college preparatory school serving the greater Detroit metropolitan area, including Clawson families. The school offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes, extensive Advanced Placement offerings, and exceptional arts and athletic facilities across its 319-acre campus. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Cranbrook provides personalized attention and has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, with graduates consistently attending top-tier universities. The school's comprehensive program includes extensive extracurricular opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to developing well-rounded students.
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The Roeper School
Independent School for Gifted Students
The Roeper School is a distinguished independent school specifically designed for gifted students, serving the metro Detroit area including Clawson families. With campuses in Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham, the school offers a unique educational approach tailored to gifted learners from preschool through high school. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility while maintaining strong college preparatory standards. Roeper's dedicated faculty, small class sizes, and individualized approach help students reach their full potential, with graduates consistently attending prestigious colleges and universities. The school's comprehensive program includes robust arts, athletics, and extracurricular offerings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Clawson, Michigan
Are there any private schools physically located within the city limits of Clawson, Michigan, or are the top options like Cranbrook in neighboring cities?
There are no major, independent private K-12 day schools physically located within the city limits of Clawson itself. The renowned private schools most accessible to Clawson families, such as Cranbrook Schools (in Bloomfield Hills), University Liggett School (in Grosse Pointe Woods), and The Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham campuses), are located in adjacent communities within Oakland and Wayne counties. Clawson's central location in the Detroit metropolitan area provides convenient access to these top-tier institutions, typically within a 15-30 minute drive, making them de facto options for Clawson residents seeking private education.
What is the typical annual tuition range for the top private schools near Clawson, Michigan, and are there financial aid options specific to Michigan families?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Clawson area is significant, reflecting their college-preparatory curricula and extensive resources. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition ranges approximately from $30,000 to $40,000+ for upper school grades. All these schools—Cranbrook, Liggett, and Roeper—have robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. Additionally, Michigan offers the **Student Opportunity Scholarship** program, which provides tax-credit scholarships for certain educational expenses, including private school tuition, for eligible families. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school's admissions and financial aid office about their specific deadlines and application processes for aid.
How do the specialized academic programs at schools like Cranbrook, Liggett, and Roeper near Clawson differ from each other?
Each institution near Clawson offers distinct academic specializations. **Cranbrook Schools** is known for its intense integration with the Cranbrook Educational Community, offering unparalleled resources in arts, sciences, and architecture, with a highly structured, rigorous curriculum. **University Liggett School** emphasizes its "Minds at Work" program, focusing on project-based learning, innovation, and global citizenship within a more traditional independent school framework. **The Roeper School** is nationally recognized for its mission dedicated exclusively to gifted education, employing a student-driven, philosophical approach that emphasizes choice, community, and socio-emotional learning. Visiting each campus is essential to feel these philosophical differences firsthand.
What are the key enrollment timelines and admission assessment requirements for private schools in the Clawson, Michigan area?
The admission process for competitive private schools near Clawson operates on an early timeline. The primary application deadline for the following fall is typically in **January or early February**. The process usually includes a completed application, student and parent interviews, teacher recommendations, school records, and a standardized entrance exam. For younger grades, this may be a developmental assessment; for middle and upper schools, the **Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)** or **Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)** is commonly required. Many schools also host fall open houses and shadow visit days for prospective students. Starting your research in the fall before the desired enrollment year is strongly advised.
For a family living in Clawson, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the highly-rated Clawson Public Schools and a private school in a neighboring community?
This is a fundamental decision for Clawson families. **Clawson Public Schools** are consistently well-rated, offer a strong K-12 continuum within the community, and involve no tuition. Choosing a private school like Cranbrook, Liggett, or Roeper involves a substantial financial investment and a daily commute. The considerations extend beyond academics to educational philosophy, class size (often 12-18 students in private vs. 20-25+ in public), and specific program offerings (e.g., gifted education at Roeper, intensive arts at Cranbrook). Many Clawson families value the community connection of the local public schools, while others seek the specialized approach, resources, and network of the premier private institutions just a short drive away.
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