The Best Private Schools in Scandia, Minnesota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Scandia. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mounds Park Academy
Mounds Park Academy
Mounds Park Academy is a premier independent PreK-12 school serving families throughout the Twin Cities metro area, including Scandia. The school offers the International Baccalaureate program alongside innovative STEM and arts curricula. Known for exceptional faculty and personalized learning, MPA features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, innovation spaces, athletic complexes, and performing arts centers. The school maintains a diverse community with strong college placement records and comprehensive extracurricular offerings from competitive athletics to renowned arts programs.
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St. Croix Preparatory Academy
St. Croix Preparatory Academy
St. Croix Preparatory Academy is a highly-regarded K-12 charter school serving the Scandia area with a rigorous classical education model. Located just 15 minutes from Scandia in Stillwater, the school features a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on liberal arts, STEM education, and character development. The campus includes modern classrooms, science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains high academic standards and offers extensive extracurricular programs including robotics, theater, and competitive sports.
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Forest Lake Christian School
Forest Lake Christian School
Forest Lake Christian School provides comprehensive Christian education serving the Scandia community from preschool through 12th grade. Located just 20 minutes from Scandia, the school combines strong academic preparation with faith-based values in a supportive learning environment. The curriculum includes advanced placement options, robust fine arts programs, competitive athletics, and technology integration. Facilities feature modern classrooms, science labs, gymnasium, and dedicated arts spaces. The school is known for its close-knit community, experienced faculty, and strong track record of college acceptance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Scandia, Minnesota
What are the primary private school options for families residing in Scandia, Minnesota, and what are their key characteristics?
While Scandia itself is a small city, families have access to several highly-regarded private schools in the surrounding Washington County area. The most prominent include St. Croix Preparatory Academy in nearby Stillwater, known for its rigorous classical liberal arts curriculum and K-12 IB Diploma Programme. Mounds Park Academy in Maplewood is a PreK-12 independent school emphasizing innovative, project-based learning. Forest Lake Christian School in Forest Lake offers a Christ-centered education from preschool through 12th grade. It's important to note that these schools require commuting, as there are no private K-12 campuses physically located within Scandia's city limits. Transportation is typically a family responsibility.
How does Minnesota's tax credit and deduction system impact the affordability of private school tuition for Scandia residents?
Minnesota offers specific financial provisions that can help Scandia families manage private school costs. The state provides an Education Deduction, allowing you to subtract up to $1,625 per child in grade K-6 and $2,500 per child in grades 7-12 for qualifying educational expenses, including tuition, from your state taxable income. Additionally, Minnesota has an Education Credit, which is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your state tax bill for lower- and middle-income families. These benefits can meaningfully offset the annual tuition, which for schools like St. Croix Prep or Mounds Park Academy often ranges from $15,000 to $25,000+. Each school also has its own financial aid programs, so it's crucial to apply for aid directly through the admissions office.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Scandia, MN, that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Scandia region often integrate the natural and cultural assets of the St. Croix River Valley into their programs. St. Croix Preparatory Academy, for instance, utilizes its proximity to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway for environmental science studies and outdoor leadership programs. Many schools have strong connections to the vibrant arts community in Stillwater and the Twin Cities for music, theater, and visual arts collaborations. Furthermore, given the area's blend of suburban and rural communities, schools like Forest Lake Christian School may offer agricultural science or outdoor education tracks that resonate with families from Scandia's more pastoral setting.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like St. Croix Prep for a family moving to Scandia?
For top-tier schools like St. Croix Preparatory Academy or Mounds Park Academy, planning is essential. The main application cycle for the following academic year typically opens in September, with deadlines for first-round consideration often falling between January and February. The process usually includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and a student visit or assessment. For Scandia families, it's critical to initiate this process early, especially if you are relocating, as some grades (particularly middle school entry points) may have waitlists. We recommend contacting the admissions offices 12-18 months in advance to understand specific timelines and availability, as rolling admissions may be an option if spaces remain.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools near Scandia compare to the local public school district (Forest Lake Area Schools)?
This is a key consideration for Scandia parents. The Forest Lake Area Schools district, which serves Scandia, has an average class size that is typically larger, often ranging from 25-30+ students in elementary grades. In contrast, private options like St. Croix Prep or Mounds Park Academy maintain significantly smaller class sizes, often between 15-20 students, allowing for more individualized attention. The community environment also differs; while the public district offers a broad, diverse community rooted in the local area, private schools often cultivate a close-knit, mission-driven community drawn from a wider geographic region. The choice often hinges on whether a family prioritizes the localized community and no-cost education of the public system or the specialized focus, smaller scale, and distinct educational philosophy of a private institution, despite the commute and cost.
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