The Best Private Schools in Barry, Minnesota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Barry. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Trinity Elementary School - Moorhead
Catholic Schools of Fargo-Moorhead
Trinity Elementary School is part of the Catholic Schools of Fargo-Moorhead system, serving students from the broader region including the Barry area. The school offers a comprehensive Catholic education with strong emphasis on academic excellence, faith formation, and character development. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years experience, robust STEM programs, fine arts offerings, and competitive athletics. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and has consistently high parent satisfaction ratings for its community atmosphere and academic rigor.
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Shanley High School
Catholic Schools of Fargo-Moorhead
Shanley High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, including students from Barry, Minnesota. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive fine arts programs including renowned theater and music departments, and competitive athletic teams. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and modern athletic complex. With a 100% college acceptance rate and average ACT scores consistently above state and national averages, Shanley maintains a reputation for academic excellence and strong community values.
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St. Mary's Elementary School
St. Mary's Cathedral
St. Mary's Elementary School provides Catholic education to students from across the Red River Valley region, including the Barry area. The school features a balanced curriculum that integrates faith, academics, and character development. Key programs include comprehensive technology integration with 1:1 device access, strong music and arts education, and competitive sports programs. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and features modern facilities including smart classrooms, science lab, and gymnasium. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's strong community atmosphere, dedicated teachers, and focus on whole-child development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Barry, Minnesota
What are the private school options specifically for families living in Barry, Minnesota?
While Barry itself is a small, unincorporated community, families typically look to nearby cities for private education. The closest and most prominent options are in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, just across the border in North Dakota. These include Trinity Elementary School (PreK-8) and Shanley High School in Fargo, and St. Mary's Elementary School in Moorhead, MN. For Barry residents, this means a short commute for a faith-based, private education. It's important to check each school's specific enrollment policies regarding residency, as some may prioritize parish members or have defined geographic service areas.
How does Minnesota's tax credit and deduction system affect private school tuition for Barry residents?
Minnesota offers specific financial benefits that Barry families can utilize. The state provides an Education Deduction for K-12 tuition costs, allowing you to subtract a portion of tuition expenses from your state taxable income. More significantly, Minnesota has an Education Credit, which is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your state tax bill for qualifying educational expenses, including tuition. The credit is income-based, making it particularly helpful for middle-income families in the Barry area. It's crucial to consult with a tax professional and keep all receipts from schools like Trinity, Shanley, or St. Mary's to maximize these state-specific benefits.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving the Barry, MN area offer?
The private schools in the Fargo-Moorhead area provide programs that leverage their religious affiliations and community partnerships. Shanley High School is known for its strong college-prep curriculum and competitive athletics within the North Dakota system. Trinity and St. Mary's elementary schools often emphasize foundational literacy and faith integration. A unique aspect for Barry students is the potential access to consortium-style events, such as academic fairs, music programs, and STEM collaborations between the Catholic schools in the region. Additionally, their locations near a major metropolitan area allow for enrichment opportunities at local colleges like Minnesota State University Moorhead or Concordia College.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Barry, Minnesota?
Enrollment for the primary private schools serving Barry (Trinity, Shanley, St. Mary's) generally opens in January or February for the following academic year. These schools often have rolling admissions but encourage early application, especially for kindergarten and freshman high school classes. A key step for Barry families is the involvement of the local Catholic parish (if applicable), as registered and contributing parishioners often receive priority admission and reduced tuition rates at affiliated schools. The process typically includes submitting an application, academic records, a family interview, and possibly a student assessment. It's advisable to contact the schools directly in the fall prior to your desired enrollment year to attend open houses.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools near Barry compare to the local public school options?
For Barry students, the local public school option is likely the Norman County West School District or a similar rural district. Private schools like Trinity, Shanley, and St. Mary's typically offer significantly smaller class sizes, often with a 15:1 or lower student-to-teacher ratio, compared to larger classes in consolidated rural public districts. The community environment is distinctly faith-based and close-knit, with many families connected through shared religious values. However, the trade-off for Barry residents is the daily commute to Fargo-Moorhead versus the convenience of a local public school bus route. The private school community also tends to be more geographically drawn from across the region, rather than solely from a specific rural township.
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