The Best Private Schools in Farmington, Michigan
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Farmington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Detroit Country Day School
Independent
Detroit Country Day School is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the Farmington area and greater Detroit region. Founded in 1977, the school offers a rigorous academic program with extensive Advanced Placement course offerings, state-of-the-art STEM facilities, and comprehensive arts and athletics programs. The campus features modern academic buildings, science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, DCDS maintains a strong college placement record and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence.
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Mercy High School
Sisters of Mercy
Mercy High School is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women located adjacent to Farmington. Established in 1963 by the Sisters of Mercy, the school offers a comprehensive academic program with strong emphasis on STEM education, leadership development, and community service. The campus features modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. Mercy's curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, honors programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The school is known for its supportive community and strong alumnae network.
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University Liggett School
Independent
University Liggett School is a distinguished independent school serving students from Farmington and throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. As Michigan's only school offering the full International Baccalaureate continuum from preschool through high school, Liggett provides a globally-focused education with rigorous academic standards. The school features extensive campus facilities including modern classrooms, science and innovation labs, arts studios, and athletic complexes. With a history dating to 1879, the school combines traditional educational values with innovative teaching methods and emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Farmington, Michigan
What are the primary private school options serving families in Farmington, Michigan, and what are their key characteristics?
Farmington, MI, is served by several highly-regarded private schools in the immediate and surrounding area. The most prominent include Detroit Country Day School (in Beverly Hills, adjacent to Farmington Hills), known for its rigorous college-prep curriculum and extensive extracurriculars; Mercy High School (in Farmington Hills), an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school; and University Liggett School (in Grosse Pointe Woods, with a significant draw from the metro area), offering an innovative, experiential curriculum from preschool through 12th grade. Additionally, local Catholic elementary schools like St. Fabian and Our Lady of Sorrows feed into the high school system. These schools offer distinct educational philosophies, from single-gender to co-ed, and from religious to non-sectarian, providing Farmington families with diverse choices.
How does tuition for private schools in the Farmington, Michigan, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Farmington area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, high school tuition at institutions like Detroit Country Day and University Liggett can range from approximately $35,000 to $40,000 annually. Mercy High School, as a Catholic institution, has a lower tuition, typically around $15,000-$18,000. Most of these schools offer robust need-based financial aid programs, funded through endowments and annual fundraising. Michigan also offers tax-advantaged savings options through the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) 529 plan, which can be used for K-12 private school tuition. It is crucial to inquire directly with each school's admissions office about their specific aid deadlines, application processes (often requiring tools like SSS/Clarity), and any available merit scholarships.
What unique academic or specialized programs do private schools near Farmington, Michigan, offer that distinguish them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Farmington area often provide specialized programs that may be less common in public districts. For example, University Liggett School is renowned for its "Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning" and its mastery-based, project-oriented curriculum without traditional AP courses. Detroit Country Day offers a globally-focused curriculum with extensive world language options, a renowned arts department, and over 100 student clubs and organizations. Mercy High School emphasizes STEM education for young women through its dedicated Science and Technology Center and engineering programs. These schools often feature smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and distinct curricular philosophies like International Baccalaureate (IB) or advanced, thematic learning tracks that provide a different educational experience from the Farmington Public Schools system.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Farmington, Michigan, area?
The enrollment process for top private schools near Farmington is highly structured and often begins over a year in advance. The key timeline generally runs from September to February for admission for the following fall. Parents should attend open houses in the early fall, submit applications by December or January (which often include essays, teacher recommendations, and school records), and schedule student visits and interviews for the winter. Entrance exams like the ISEE or SSAT are frequently required for middle and high school admission. Notification dates are typically in March, with decision deadlines in April. Due to the competitive nature of schools like DCDS and Liggett, starting the process early for grades 6, 7, and 9 (key entry points) is essential. Sibling and legacy applicants may have slightly different timelines.
For families in Farmington, what are the main considerations when choosing between the highly-rated Farmington Public Schools and a local private school?
The decision between Farmington Public Schools (FPS) and a private school involves several local factors. FPS is consistently ranked among the top public districts in Michigan, offering strong academics, diverse extracurriculars, and no tuition. Choosing a private school often involves seeking a specific educational philosophy (e.g., single-gender, religious foundation, or progressive mastery learning), a perceived need for smaller class sizes, or more specialized programs in arts, global studies, or STEM. For Farmington residents, private school also means forgoing the neighborhood school community and managing transportation, as most private schools do not provide district busing. The financial commitment is substantial, so families must weigh the cost against the value of the distinct offerings. Many families in the area make this choice based on mission alignment and the desire for a particular type of student environment beyond the excellent foundation provided by FPS.
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