The Best Private Schools in Prior Lake, Minnesota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Prior Lake. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Holy Family Academy
Holy Family Catholic High School
Holy Family Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory high school located just minutes from Prior Lake in Savage. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with strong emphasis on STEM education, fine arts, and competitive athletics. With small class sizes averaging 18 students, the school provides personalized attention and maintains a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school consistently achieves high college acceptance rates and offers extensive AP and honors courses.
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St. John the Baptist Catholic School
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
St. John the Baptist Catholic School is one of the oldest and most established private schools serving the Prior Lake area, located in nearby Savage. The school serves students from preschool through 8th grade with a comprehensive faith-based education that emphasizes academic excellence and character development. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, science, language arts, and religious studies, supplemented by robust music, art, and athletic programs. The school features modern classrooms, technology labs, and extensive playground facilities. Parents consistently praise the strong community atmosphere and dedicated teaching staff.
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St. Joseph's Catholic School
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
St. Joseph's Catholic School provides a comprehensive Catholic education for students in preschool through 8th grade, serving families throughout the southern metro area including Prior Lake. The school offers a challenging academic program with advanced curriculum in mathematics, science, and language arts, complemented by strong fine arts and athletic programs. The campus features modern facilities including technology-enhanced classrooms, science labs, music rooms, and gymnasium. The school emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and community service, with many graduates successfully transitioning to top private high schools in the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Prior Lake, Minnesota
What are the primary private school options available within the city limits of Prior Lake, Minnesota, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Within Prior Lake, MN, there are three primary private schools, all with a faith-based foundation. **Holy Family Academy** is an independent Catholic classical school emphasizing a liberal arts education with a Socratic teaching method. **St. John the Baptist Catholic School** (PK-8) and **St. Joseph's Catholic School** (PK-8) are parish-supported schools offering a traditional Catholic education integrated with faith and standard academic curricula. It's important to note that there are no secular private day schools physically located in Prior Lake; families seeking non-religious or other specialized private education typically look at options in nearby Shakopee, Savage, or the broader Twin Cities metro area.
How does tuition at Prior Lake's private Catholic schools compare, and what financial aid options are uniquely available to Minnesota residents?
For the 2024-2025 school year, tuition for parishioners at St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph's typically ranges from approximately $4,500 to $5,500 for the first child, with discounts for siblings. Holy Family Academy, as an independent school, has a higher tuition, often around $9,000-$10,000. All schools offer parish subsidies, multi-child discounts, and need-based financial aid. Crucially, Minnesota residents can benefit from state-specific programs like the **K-12 Education Credit** and **Subtraction**, which allow families to reduce their state tax liability for educational expenses, including tuition, textbooks, and tutors. Some families may also qualify for the **Minnesota Opportunity Scholarship**, a tax-credit scholarship for lower-income households.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs do Prior Lake private schools offer that leverage local community resources?
While core academics are strong, Prior Lake's private schools often integrate the local environment into their programs. Given Prior Lake's namesake lake and natural areas, schools may emphasize environmental science projects and outdoor education. Proximity to the Twin Cities allows for field trips to major cultural institutions like the Minnesota History Center or the Science Museum. Extracurriculars often include community-focused service projects, local athletic associations (like Prior Lake Athletic Association for basketball), and music programs that may participate in area festivals. St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph's typically have strong sacramental preparation programs tied to their local parishes.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for the private schools in Prior Lake, and how does it differ from the public school district?
Enrollment for Prior Lake's private schools often begins as early as January or February for the following fall, with priority given to registered parishioners and siblings of current students. The process usually involves a school tour, submission of an application and fees, and sometimes a student assessment or family interview. This is a key difference from the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (ISD 719) public district, which has open enrollment periods but is primarily based on residency. Waiting lists can form for popular grades at the private schools, so early inquiry is recommended. Re-enrollment for current families typically happens in the winter.
For families considering both, what are the notable differences between the Prior Lake-Savage public schools and the private school options in Prior Lake, MN?
The most significant difference is educational model and scale. **Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools** are large, comprehensive public schools (e.g., Prior Lake High School has over 3,000 students) offering a vast array of AP courses, extensive sports, arts, and specialized programs. The private schools in Prior Lake are small, faith-based K-8 communities with typically one class per grade, fostering a close-knit environment with direct religious instruction. Families choose the private schools for a values-based education integrated throughout the day, while the public district offers greater diversity of course offerings and extracurriculars at the secondary level. Transportation is another factor; the public district provides buses, while private school families often carpool or use limited fee-based bus service from specific areas.
Private Education Insights
Choosing the Right Private High School in Prior Lake: A Parent's Guide
For families in Prior Lake, the transition from middle to high school is a significant milestone, and the decision about where your child will spend these formative years carries considerable weight. While our community is served by the well-regarded Prior Lake High School, many local parents are actively exploring the distinctive path offered by a private high school education. This choice often centers on a desire for a more tailored academic environment, specific value systems, and a close-knit community feel that can be harder to find in larger public institutions. Understanding the local landscape of options, including what is available directly in Prior Lake and in the broader Twin Cities area, is the first crucial step in this journey.
Within Prior Lake itself, families will find several excellent private elementary and middle schools, such as Holy Family Academy, St. John the Baptist Catholic School, and St. Joseph's Catholic School. These institutions provide a strong faith-based foundation and are a common starting point for many local children. However, it's important for parents to plan ahead, as these schools typically end at the 8th grade. This means choosing a private high school often involves looking beyond our city limits for the 9-12 grade years. This reality makes the search a regional one, incorporating prestigious Catholic, Lutheran, independent, and college-preparatory schools throughout the southwestern metro and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The commute becomes a practical factor, but many families find the daily drive a worthwhile investment for the right educational fit.
The defining benefits of a private high school often align closely with what Prior Lake parents value: individualized attention, rigorous academics, and character development. With typically smaller class sizes, teachers can provide more direct mentorship and adapt to different learning styles, which can be particularly advantageous during the challenging high school curriculum. Many private institutions also boast exceptional college counseling programs, offering personalized guidance through the complex application and selection process—a significant advantage for students aiming for competitive universities. Furthermore, for families who have cherished the faith-integrated education at a school like St. John the Baptist, continuing that spiritual and moral framework into the teenage years can be a powerful motivator for seeking a parochial high school.
Ultimately, the decision is deeply personal. We encourage Prior Lake parents to begin by reflecting on your child’s unique needs, learning style, and aspirations. Schedule visits and shadow days at potential schools, not just in Prior Lake’s feeder programs but at the high schools you are considering. Talk to current parents and students, and pay attention to the school culture and extracurricular offerings. The vibrant community of Prior Lake, with its focus on family and lakeside living, provides a wonderful home base. Finding the right private high school partnership can complement that foundation, preparing your student not just for college, but for a life of purpose, responsibility, and success. The search requires early planning and thoughtful consideration, but the outcome—a confident, well-prepared graduate—is the ultimate goal for every family.
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