The Best Private Schools in Howell, Michigan
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Howell. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Patrick Catholic School
Diocese of Lansing Catholic Schools
St. Patrick Catholic School serves families throughout Livingston County, including Howell, with a comprehensive faith-based education program. The school offers rigorous academic instruction integrated with Catholic values, serving students from preschool through 8th grade. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art rooms, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with strong parent involvement and community support. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports, music, drama, and various clubs.
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Hartland Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Hartland Christian Academy serves the broader Livingston County area, including Howell families, with a Christ-centered educational approach. The school offers a challenging academic curriculum from preschool through 12th grade, focusing on college preparation and spiritual development. Facilities include technology-enhanced classrooms, science laboratories, and athletic fields. The school maintains small class sizes for personalized attention and features strong arts programs, competitive athletics, and community service opportunities. Parent reviews consistently praise the nurturing environment and academic rigor.
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St. John the Evangelist Catholic School
Diocese of Lansing Catholic Schools
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School serves families across multiple counties, including Howell residents seeking quality Catholic education. The school provides a classical education model integrated with Catholic teachings for students in preschool through 8th grade. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, moral development, and academic excellence. Facilities include modern classrooms, a dedicated science lab, music room, and gymnasium. The school offers comprehensive extracurricular activities including sports teams, choir, and academic competitions, with strong parent satisfaction ratings for both academic quality and community atmosphere.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Howell, Michigan
What are the primary private school options available for families in Howell, Michigan, and what are their core educational philosophies?
In Howell, Michigan, the primary private school options include St. Patrick Catholic School (Pre-K-8), Hartland Christian Academy (K-12), and St. John the Evangelist Catholic School (Pre-K-8). St. Patrick and St. John's offer faith-based, Catholic education integrating religious values with a standard academic curriculum. Hartland Christian Academy provides a nondenominational Christian education with a biblical worldview. While these are the main institutions, some Howell families also consider private schools in nearby Brighton, Fenton, or the broader Livingston County area. The options are predominantly religiously affiliated, so secular private day schools would require looking outside the immediate Howell area.
How does tuition for private schools in Howell, MI, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in Howell generally aligns with or is slightly below the Michigan private school average. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at local Catholic elementary schools like St. Patrick or St. John's typically ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 per student, with discounts for parish members and multiple children. Hartland Christian Academy's tuition is higher, often between $8,000 and $10,000 for elementary grades. Critically, Michigan offers the "Tuition Incentive Program" (TIP) for lower-income families and the "Michigan Education Savings Program" (MESP) tax-advantaged accounts. All local schools offer need-based financial aid and parish subsidies, and many participate in the "ACE Michigan" scholarship program for lower-income families, making private education more accessible than the sticker price may suggest.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Howell area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in Howell leverage their smaller size and specific missions to offer distinctive programs. St. Patrick and St. John the Evangelist schools integrate sacramental preparation and daily religion classes into their core curriculum, which public schools cannot offer. Hartland Christian Academy emphasizes a curriculum taught from a Christian perspective across all subjects, including science and literature. Extracurricularly, these schools often have strong emphasis on community service, Christmas programs, and seasonal liturgical celebrations. While Howell Public Schools offer a wider array of sports and advanced placement courses, the private schools provide a consistent value-based environment, smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students), and a close-knit community feel that many parents seek.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Howell, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Howell-area private schools typically begins in January or February for the following fall, with priority given to current families and registered parishioners (for Catholic schools). Open houses are usually held in the winter. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, a pastoral reference (for religious schools), and often a family interview. While these schools do not have the extensive waitlists common in major metropolitan areas, popular grades, especially kindergarten and pre-K, can fill quickly. Hartland Christian Academy, serving multiple grades, may have more availability in its upper grades. It's advisable to contact the school's admissions office by early spring. Some schools offer rolling admissions if space permits, but applying during the priority period is best.
For a family moving to Howell, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school?
The key considerations involve educational philosophy, cost, and community. Howell Public Schools (HPS) offer a tuition-free, comprehensive K-12 system with diverse extracurriculars, specialized programs, and larger peer groups. The private schools in Howell provide a specific faith-based environment, consistent moral instruction, and often more individualized attention due to smaller classes. Financially, you must weigh private tuition against the tax-funded public system. Logistically, HPS provides bus transportation, while private school families often must arrange carpools. For high school, the choice is stark: Hartland Christian Academy is the only local private K-12, whereas HPS operates Howell High School. Many families choose private elementary for foundational years and transition to public high school for its broader offerings. Visiting both types of schools is crucial to feel the difference in community culture.
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