The Best Private Schools in Burnsville, Minnesota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Burnsville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Providence Academy
Independent Catholic School
Providence Academy is a highly-regarded independent Catholic school serving the Twin Cities metro area, including Burnsville families. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory education from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 with a rigorous academic curriculum. Notable features include state-of-the-art STEM facilities, competitive athletic programs, extensive fine arts offerings, and a strong emphasis on character formation. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Providence Academy maintains high academic standards and consistently sends graduates to top-tier universities.
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Saint Thomas Academy
Independent Catholic Military School
Saint Thomas Academy is a prestigious all-male Catholic military school serving the southern Twin Cities metro, including Burnsville. The academy provides a rigorous college preparatory education combined with military leadership training through JROTC. Academic programs emphasize STEM education, advanced placement courses, and comprehensive college counseling. The 70-acre campus features modern academic buildings, science and technology labs, athletic facilities, and military training spaces. The school's leadership development program, competitive athletics, and strong community values make it a top choice for families seeking structured, character-focused education with proven academic results.
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Academy of Holy Angels
Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Academy of Holy Angels is a comprehensive Catholic co-educational high school serving the southern Minneapolis metro area, including Burnsville students. The school offers a robust college preparatory curriculum with extensive AP course offerings, strong STEM programs, and comprehensive fine arts education. Holy Angels emphasizes service learning and character development alongside academic excellence. The campus features modern academic facilities, science and technology labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a diverse student body and dedicated faculty, the school maintains strong college placement records and offers numerous extracurricular opportunities in athletics, arts, and academic competitions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Burnsville, Minnesota
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Burnsville, Minnesota, and what are their key characteristics?
Burnsville itself is home to the Academy of Holy Angels, a co-ed Catholic college-preparatory high school known for its strong academics, arts, and athletics. While there are limited private elementary options within Burnsville's immediate borders, families commonly look to nearby schools in the broader Twin Cities metro. Two of the most prominent are Providence Academy in Plymouth (a PreK-12 Catholic, classical education school) and Saint Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights (an all-boys, college-prep military school for grades 6-12). Many Burnsville residents also consider a wide range of private and parochial schools in neighboring cities like Apple Valley, Eagan, and Minneapolis, making school choice a regional consideration.
How does tuition for private schools in the Burnsville, MN area typically compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition in the Burnsville area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Academy of Holy Angels' tuition is approximately $17,000-$18,000. Providence Academy and Saint Thomas Academy are generally higher, often ranging from $20,000 to $25,000+ for upper grades. Importantly, Minnesota offers unique financial support options. The most significant is the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction, which allows families to subtract a portion of private school tuition and other educational expenses from their state taxable income. Additionally, all major private schools offer need-based financial aid, and some participate in local scholarship foundations. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their aid packages and application deadlines.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable at private schools accessible from Burnsville, MN?
The private schools serving Burnsville families offer distinct specializations. The Academy of Holy Angels features a renowned Robotics program (The Angels of Automation) and a comprehensive STEM curriculum. Saint Thomas Academy is unique for its Naval Honor Corps (Junior ROTC) leadership program and exceptional engineering tracks. Providence Academy is distinguished by its classical, liberal arts curriculum with a strong emphasis on Great Books, Latin, and rhetoric. Across these schools, you'll also find robust offerings in theater, music, championship-caliber athletics (especially hockey and lacrosse), and extensive college counseling networks that leverage their Twin Cities connections.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Academy of Holy Angels that serve Burnsville, MN?
The enrollment process for competitive private high schools in the Twin Cities metro, including those popular with Burnsville families, often begins a full year in advance. For fall admission, key steps typically occur in the preceding fall: open houses (September-November), entrance exam registration (usually the HSPT or school-specific test in December/January), and application deadlines (often January or February). Academy of Holy Angels, for example, has a priority application deadline in early January. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are typically communicated in February or March. We strongly recommend attending fall open houses and scheduling shadow days for your student to experience the school environment firsthand.
For a family living in Burnsville, what are the practical considerations when comparing a top-rated public school like Burnsville High School to a private school option?
This decision hinges on priorities. Burnsville High School (BHS), part of Independent School District 191, offers a large, diverse student body, extensive AP and elective courses, and no tuition. The private school alternative, such as Academy of Holy Angels or a metro-area school, typically offers smaller class sizes, a specific religious or value-based foundation (if desired), and often a more singular college-prep focus. Practical considerations for Burnsville residents include commute time (20-45 minutes to metro private schools), the annual financial investment, and the community aspect. Many private school students come from across the metro, so social and extracurricular activities may require more driving compared to the neighborhood-based BHS experience. Assessing your child's learning style and your family's educational values is key.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Independent Secondary Schools Near Burnsville, MN | A Parent's Guide
As a parent in Burnsville, Minnesota, beginning the search for the right independent secondary school for your child can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You’re likely typing phrases like “independent secondary schools near me” into your search engine, hoping to find options that offer academic rigor, strong community values, and a pathway to college, all within a reasonable distance from our Dakota County community. The good news is that the Twin Cities metro area, with Burnsville at its southern heart, is home to several exceptional independent secondary schools, each with its own distinctive character and educational philosophy. Understanding the local landscape is the first step in making an informed decision that aligns with your family’s goals.
When considering independent schools, it’s crucial to look beyond just proximity. These institutions are defined by their governance and mission; they are typically governed by an independent board of trustees and are funded through tuition, donations, and endowments rather than public taxes. This independence allows for innovative curricula, smaller class sizes, and a focused educational approach. For Burnsville families, this means looking at schools in our immediate area and also those a short commute into neighboring suburbs or into Minneapolis and St. Paul. The drive can be well worth it for the right fit. Schools like the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, while not in Burnsville proper, are a very manageable commute up I-35W and offer a co-educational, Catholic college-preparatory experience that has drawn students from our community for generations.
Two other standout names that frequently appear in searches by local parents are Providence Academy in Plymouth and Saint Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights. Providence offers a rigorous, classical liberal arts education rooted in the Catholic tradition, but welcomes students of all faiths. Its commitment to developing intellectual and moral virtue resonates with many families seeking a structured, values-based environment. Saint Thomas Academy, an all-boys military school, provides a unique model of leadership development and academic excellence that prepares young men for success in college and beyond. Visiting these campuses is essential. You’ll want to assess the daily commute, feel the campus culture, and see if your child can envision themselves thriving there.
Your search for “independent secondary schools near me” should also include a practical assessment of logistics and investment. Consider the daily transportation. Does the school offer bus service from Burnsville or a carpool network? Financially, investigate each school’s tuition structure and the availability of need-based financial aid or merit scholarships, as many are committed to making their education accessible. Finally, talk to other Burnsville parents. Personal referrals are invaluable. Ask about their experiences with the commute, community integration, and how the school supported their child’s transition and growth. By combining online research with real-world visits and conversations, you can move from a generic search to finding a school that feels like a true extension of your family’s values and your child’s potential, right here in the south metro.
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