The Best Private Schools in Long Beach, Mississippi
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Long Beach. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Patrick Catholic High School
Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
St. Patrick Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast region including Long Beach. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory education with strong emphasis on academic excellence, faith formation, and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and offers numerous Advanced Placement courses. Extracurricular programs include championship athletic teams, competitive robotics, drama productions, and community service opportunities.
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St. James Elementary School
Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
St. James Elementary School is a premier Catholic private school serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade, drawing families from Long Beach and surrounding communities. The school provides a strong academic foundation with emphasis on faith-based education and character development. Features include small class sizes, dedicated faculty, modern technology integration, and comprehensive extracurricular programs. The campus includes well-equipped classrooms, science labs, library, gymnasium, and athletic fields. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and academic rigor that prepares students for high school success.
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Resurrection Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
Resurrection Catholic School offers a continuous K-12 education and serves students from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including Long Beach families seeking a comprehensive private education. The school features a rigorous academic program with Advanced Placement courses, strong STEM curriculum, and comprehensive fine arts programs. Campus facilities include modern classrooms, science and computer labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes faith-based education while preparing students for college and beyond. Extracurricular offerings include competitive sports teams, academic clubs, and community service programs that build well-rounded students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Long Beach, Mississippi
What are the primary private school options available for families in Long Beach, Mississippi, and what grade levels do they serve?
Long Beach, MS, is primarily served by three Catholic-affiliated private schools. St. Patrick Catholic High School offers grades 9-12 and is the main private high school option in the area. For younger students, St. James Elementary School serves Pre-K through 8th grade, and Resurrection Catholic School, located just across the Bay in Pascagoula, is a common choice for Long Beach families and serves Pre-K through 12th grade. The concentration of Catholic schools reflects the region's history and community, providing a continuous, faith-based education from early childhood through high school graduation.
How does tuition at Long Beach, Mississippi private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Long Beach area private schools like St. Patrick and St. James is generally competitive with statewide averages for similar parochial schools. For the 2023-2024 academic year, elementary tuition often ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 annually, while high school tuition can be between $8,000 and $10,000. Importantly, these schools typically offer parish subsidies for active members of supporting Catholic churches, which can significantly reduce the cost. All schools have financial aid programs based on demonstrated need, and many participate in the Mississippi Children's Scholarship Program, a state tax-credit scholarship that provides assistance to eligible families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Long Beach private schools offer that leverage the local Gulf Coast environment?
Private schools in the Long Beach area integrate the unique coastal culture and environment into their programs. St. Patrick Catholic High School, for instance, has a strong Marine Biology program that can utilize the proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the University of Southern Mississippi's marine science facilities. Many schools also emphasize coastal community service, such as environmental stewardship projects for barrier islands and marshlands. Extracurricularly, sailing and fishing clubs are popular, and schools often participate in regional competitions that highlight the area's maritime heritage.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Long Beach, MS, and are there considerations for families moving to the area?
The enrollment process for Long Beach private schools like St. James Elementary and St. Patrick High School usually begins with open houses in January or February for the following academic year. Priority is often given to siblings of current students, active parishioners of affiliated Catholic churches, and then new families. Applications are typically due by early spring. For families moving to the Long Beach area outside this timeline, it's crucial to contact the school's admissions office directly, as spots may become available due to military family transfers (common with nearby Keesler Air Force Base) or other relocations. Most schools require transcripts, standardized test scores, and a student interview.
For parents considering the choice between Long Beach Public Schools and local private schools, what are key differentiating factors?
The decision often centers on educational approach, class size, and religious affiliation. Long Beach Public Schools are highly rated in Mississippi, offering robust Advanced Placement programs and strong athletics. The key differentiators for private schools in Long Beach are their smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25+ in public), a structured, faith-based values curriculum integrated throughout the day, and a singular campus for multiple grade levels (e.g., K-8 at St. James). The private school community tends to be tight-knit, with many families involved across multiple grades. Conversely, public schools offer no tuition cost and potentially greater diversity in program offerings due to larger scale. The choice heavily depends on a family's priority for religious education and personalized learning environment versus the breadth of a larger public school district.
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