The Best Private Schools in Ely, Minnesota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ely. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Marshall School
Independent School
Marshall School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving northeastern Minnesota, including the Ely area. The school offers rigorous academic programs for grades 4-12 with a 100% college acceptance rate. Features include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, athletic facilities, and extensive AP course offerings. The school emphasizes character education, leadership development, and personalized college counseling. Many families from Ely commute for this premium educational experience.
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St. Anthony's School
Diocese of Duluth Catholic Schools
St. Anthony's School is a longstanding Catholic private school serving the Ely community with a comprehensive Pre-K through 6th grade education. The school provides a faith-based learning environment with strong emphasis on core academic subjects, character development, and community service. Facilities include modern classrooms, a library, and gymnasium. The school maintains small class sizes for personalized attention and offers extracurricular activities including sports, music programs, and community outreach initiatives.
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North Star Academy
Duluth Public Schools Academy
North Star Academy is a public charter school with private school-level academics that serves students from across northeastern Minnesota, including the Ely region. The school offers an International Baccalaureate program for grades K-12 with strong emphasis on critical thinking and global perspectives. The curriculum integrates outdoor education, environmental science, and technology. The school features modern facilities, small class sizes, and a reputation for academic excellence that attracts families seeking alternative education options with private school quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ely, Minnesota
What are the specific private school options available for K-12 education in Ely, Minnesota, and how do they differ?
In Ely, Minnesota, full-time private school options are limited but distinct. The primary local option is St. Anthony's School, a Catholic PreK-6 school. For grades 7-12, families typically look to nearby Duluth, approximately 110 miles away, where Marshall School (college-prep, nonsectarian) and North Star Academy (a public charter school, often considered alongside private options) are located. The key difference is that St. Anthony's provides a faith-based, elementary foundation in Ely itself, while secondary private education requires a significant commute or boarding consideration. This geographic reality is a major factor for Ely families planning long-term education.
How does tuition at Ely's St. Anthony's School compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are available for Minnesota residents?
Tuition at St. Anthony's School in Ely is generally below the Minnesota private school average due to its smaller size and rural setting. For the 2023-2024 year, tuition was approximately $3,500-$4,500 for parishioners. Minnesota offers specific financial aid programs that benefit Ely families, including the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction, which can reduce state tax liability for educational expenses. Additionally, many Minnesota private schools participate in grant programs like the AIM (Access, Inclusion, and Merit) Fund. St. Anthony's also offers parish subsidies and need-based scholarships. It's crucial to inquire directly about multi-child discounts and local scholarship funds established by Ely community organizations.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving the Ely area offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools serving the Ely area integrate the unique North Woods environment into their curricula. St. Anthony's School emphasizes outdoor education and local ecology, with potential for nature-based learning. Marshall School in Duluth, which some Ely families choose, offers renowned Wilderness/Outdoor Leadership programs, including canoe expeditions that may start in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) near Ely. This connection to the boreal forest, lakes, and conservation studies provides an unparalleled experiential learning component that is highly specific to this region of Minnesota, blending rigorous academics with hands-on environmental science and stewardship.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for St. Anthony's School in Ely, and are there considerations for mid-year transfers given Ely's seasonal and tourism-based economy?
St. Anthony's School in Ely typically begins its enrollment period in January for the following fall, with a priority deadline for returning families and parish members. Given Ely's small, stable population, spaces can be limited, especially in specific grade levels, so early inquiry is recommended. The process involves submitting an application, student records, and often a family interview. For mid-year transfers—which can occur due to the seasonal tourism or mining industries—the school is generally accommodating based on availability. It's advisable to contact the school office directly, as they understand the fluctuating nature of some local employment and are part of the close-knit community network.
For an Ely family, what are the key practical and philosophical considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private option like St. Anthony's or a commuter school?
The decision is profoundly shaped by Ely's remote location. Key considerations include: 1) **Community vs. Commute:** St. Anthony's offers a small, faith-based community within Ely, while a private secondary school requires a 2+ hour daily commute to Duluth, impacting family time and extracurricular participation. 2) **Educational Focus:** Ely's public schools are well-regarded and offer robust outdoor activities, but St. Anthony's provides a specific religious education and smaller class sizes. 3) **Cost vs. Investment:** Beyond tuition, commuting to Duluth adds significant fuel and time costs. 4) **Continuity:** A family must plan for the transition after 6th grade. Many families choose St. Anthony's for elementary foundation and then transition to Ely's public Memorial High School, which has strong academic and athletic programs deeply integrated into the town's identity.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Top Private Elementary Schools in Ely, MN for Your Child's Future
As a parent in Ely, Minnesota, the search for the "best private elementary schools near me" is deeply personal and often intertwined with our unique Northwoods community values. You’re looking for an educational environment that not only provides academic excellence but also nurtures the resilient, independent, and nature-appreciative spirit we cherish here. Fortunately, the Ely area offers several distinctive private options, each with its own philosophy to match different family priorities. Understanding these local nuances is the first step in finding the right fit for your child.
One of the most prominent local institutions is St. Anthony's School, a Catholic parish school serving students from preschool through sixth grade. For many Ely families, it represents a cornerstone of community-centered education, blending faith-based values with a strong academic curriculum. The small class sizes here are a significant draw, ensuring personalized attention in a tight-knit setting familiar to our small-town dynamic. The school’s integration of service and character education often resonates with parents seeking an environment that reinforces the family’s values beyond the classroom. It’s a choice deeply embedded in the local fabric.
While Ely itself has limited private options beyond the elementary level, many families look to nearby Duluth for continued private education. This is where schools like Marshall School and North Star Academy enter the conversation for Ely residents considering a broader range or planning for the future. Marshall School, an independent college-preparatory day school in Duluth, is often noted for its rigorous academics and extensive extracurricular programs. For an Ely family, this might involve a commute, but the appeal lies in a comprehensive K-12 program with robust arts, athletics, and advanced coursework that prepares students for competitive universities. It represents a different scale and scope of opportunity.
Similarly, North Star Academy in Duluth offers a compelling model with its public charter school status, which provides a tuition-free, choice-based education with a focused academic approach. For parents in Ely researching all quality-driven alternatives, understanding the distinction between private independent schools and public charters is crucial. North Star’s emphasis on classical education and core knowledge presents a structured, content-rich curriculum that attracts families seeking a traditional, no-frills academic rigor. Exploring these options requires considering logistics, but for dedicated families, the educational philosophy can outweigh the distance.
Ultimately, defining the "best private elementary schools near me" in the Ely context means balancing your child’s needs with practical realities. It involves asking pointed questions: How important is a faith-based foundation? Are you looking for a seamless path through high school, and if so, are you willing to consider schools in Duluth? How do you value small, community-centric classrooms versus larger institutions with more diverse programs? We recommend scheduling visits, talking to current parents, and observing the classroom environments. In a community like Ely, where word-of-mouth is powerful, these personal connections will provide the most authentic insight. Your perfect fit is the school where your child will thrive academically, socially, and in alignment with your family’s vision, whether it’s rooted deeply in Ely or extends its reach to the broader Iron Range region.