The Best Private Schools in Lakeville, Minnesota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lakeville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Holy Trinity Catholic School
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Holy Trinity Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade with a comprehensive Catholic education program. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside strong academic foundations, offering specialized STEM education, fine arts programs, and comprehensive extracurricular activities. With modern facilities and small class sizes, the school maintains high parent satisfaction through personalized attention and community-focused education. The campus includes dedicated science labs, art studios, and technology-integrated classrooms serving the Lakeville community.
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St. Thomas Academy
Independent Catholic School
St. Thomas Academy is a prestigious all-male Catholic college preparatory school serving the southern metro area including Lakeville. The school combines rigorous academics with military leadership training, offering advanced STEM programs, extensive AP course offerings, and competitive athletics. With a 100% college acceptance rate and numerous National Merit Scholars, the academy features state-of-the-art facilities including science research labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. The school provides transportation options for Lakeville area students.
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Visitation School
Sisters of the Visitation
Visitation School offers coeducational Montessori preschool through grade 6 and all-girls education in grades 7-12, serving families throughout the southern metro including Lakeville. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring robust STEM programs, competitive athletics, and comprehensive arts education. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Visitation maintains strong college placement records and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities. The beautiful 60-acre campus includes modern academic buildings, athletic facilities, and innovative learning spaces.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lakeville, Minnesota
What are the primary private school options available within Lakeville, Minnesota, and what are their core educational models?
Lakeville, MN, is home to a few prominent private schools, each with a distinct model. Holy Trinity Catholic School offers a faith-based, co-educational Pre-K through 8th-grade education. Notably, St. Thomas Academy (located in Mendota Heights, just north of Lakeville) is a prominent all-male, college-preparatory military school serving grades 6-12, attracting many Lakeville families. Similarly, Visitation School in Mendota Heights is a leading all-female, independent Catholic school for grades 6-12. For Lakeville residents, these nearby schools are common choices, though transportation is a key consideration. There are also several private preschool and Montessori options within the city itself for younger children.
How does tuition for private schools in the Lakeville, MN, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Lakeville area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Holy Trinity Catholic School's tuition is approximately $5,000-$6,000 for parishioners. St. Thomas Academy and Visitation School have higher tuition, often ranging from $25,000 to $30,000+ for upper grades, reflecting their comprehensive college-prep programs and facilities. Minnesota offers tax benefits that can help offset costs, including the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction for qualifying expenses. Crucially, all these schools offer need-based financial aid, and many have parish subsidy or merit scholarship opportunities. It's essential to apply for aid directly through the school and explore Minnesota's "Children's Scholarship Fund" for income-eligible families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Lakeville-area private schools offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Lakeville's private schools offer specialized programs not always available in the large public district. St. Thomas Academy's military leadership program and its renowned robotics team (The Stealth Tigers) are distinctive. Visitation School emphasizes all-girls STEM leadership, a robust fine arts program, and a nationally recognized network. Holy Trinity integrates Catholic faith throughout its curriculum and offers a tight-knit, single-campus community for elementary and middle school. These schools often have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention. Furthermore, their independent status allows for specialized curriculum pacing and unique electives that may differ from the Lakeville Area Public Schools' offerings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Lakeville, Minnesota families?
The enrollment process for Lakeville-area private schools is highly structured and begins early. For schools like St. Thomas Academy and Visitation, the admission cycle for grades 6 and 9 often starts in the fall, with open houses, entrance exams (like the HSPT), and application deadlines typically between December and February for the following academic year. Holy Trinity and other elementary schools may have rolling admissions but encourage applications by January for priority placement. Sibling and parish member priority is common. It is critical for Lakeville parents to plan at least a year in advance, attend fall open houses, and understand each school's specific requirements, which may include transcripts, recommendations, and family interviews.
For a family living in Lakeville, what are the key logistical considerations when choosing a private school, particularly regarding transportation and community?
Lakeville families must carefully consider logistics. The Lakeville Area Public Schools district does not provide transportation to private schools outside the district. Therefore, commuting to schools like St. Thomas Academy or Visitation (a 15-25 minute drive) requires arranging carpool networks or utilizing the school's optional bus service, which may have specific Lakeville-area routes for an additional fee. Conversely, Holy Trinity may be more centrally located for some. The community aspect is also key: many Lakeville private school families are actively involved in creating strong peer and parent networks that often extend into local sports, arts, and community events, fostering a close-knit environment despite the geographic spread of the student body.
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