The Best Private Schools in Alexandria, Missouri
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Alexandria. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Aquinas Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City
Aquinas Catholic School serves students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade and is located just across the Mississippi River from Alexandria. As part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, the school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations. The school features modern classrooms, a dedicated STEM lab, and comprehensive athletic programs. With small class sizes and individualized attention, Aquinas focuses on character development alongside academic excellence, making it a popular choice for families throughout the tri-state area including Alexandria residents.
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Quincy Notre Dame High School
Private Catholic High School
Quincy Notre Dame is a co-educational Catholic high school serving the tri-state region including Alexandria, Missouri students. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses and dual-credit opportunities. QND features state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts facilities, and extensive athletic complexes. With a strong emphasis on faith formation and community service, the school has consistently high college acceptance rates and produces well-rounded graduates. The school's location in Quincy makes it easily accessible for Alexandria families seeking secondary education options.
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St. Peter School
Quincy Catholic Schools
St. Peter School is part of the Quincy Catholic Schools system located approximately 30 minutes from Alexandria. Serving students from preschool through 8th grade, the school offers a classical Catholic education with rigorous academics and strong moral formation. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, and specialized instruction in music and art. The school maintains excellent facilities including science labs, a modern library, and athletic fields. Many Alexandria families choose St. Peter for its strong community values and proven track record of preparing students for high school success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Alexandria, Missouri
What are the private school options available for K-12 students in Alexandria, Missouri?
Alexandria, MO, is served by a small number of faith-based private schools, primarily Catholic institutions. For elementary and middle school, families typically consider **Aquinas Catholic School** (PreK-8) in nearby Fort Madison, IA, which serves many Missouri families, and **St. Peter School** (PreK-8) in Quincy, IL. For high school, the primary option is **Quincy Notre Dame High School** (9-12) in Quincy, IL. It's important to note that these schools are located just across the Mississippi River in Illinois and Iowa, but they are the designated private institutions for the Alexandria community. There are no private high schools physically within Alexandria, MO, itself.
How does tuition at private schools serving Alexandria, MO, compare, and are there Missouri-specific financial aid options?
Tuition for the schools serving Alexandria (Aquinas, St. Peter, Quincy Notre Dame) typically ranges from approximately $4,000 to $8,000 per year for parishioners, with higher rates for non-parishioners. A key Missouri-specific financial consideration is the **MOScholars Program**, a tax-credit scholarship initiative. Eligible Missouri students (including those in Alexandria) can apply for scholarships to attend qualified private schools, which can significantly offset tuition costs. Additionally, the schools themselves offer need-based financial aid, parish subsidies for members, and multi-child discounts. It's advisable to contact each school's financial office directly for the most current rates and aid applications.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Alexandria, MO, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools serving the Alexandria area emphasize a faith-based education integrated into the core curriculum. **Quincy Notre Dame High School** offers distinctive programs like a robust Engineering and Computer Science track, extensive dual-credit courses through partnerships with local colleges, and a strong emphasis on service learning. **Aquinas Catholic School** and **St. Peter School** provide small class sizes, often with a single class per grade, fostering a close-knit community. All three schools have notable athletics programs, particularly in sports like basketball, football, and volleyball, competing in leagues across state lines, which is a unique aspect for Missouri students.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for families in Alexandria, MO, seeking to enroll in these private schools?
The enrollment process for schools like Aquinas, St. Peter, and Quincy Notre Dame usually begins in January or February for the following academic year. The process is rolling but priority is often given to siblings of current students and active parish members. Families in Alexandria should plan to: 1) Attend an open house or schedule a tour (often held in fall and winter). 2) Submit an application by early spring. 3) Provide sacramental records (for Catholic schools), birth certificates, and academic records. 4) Complete a financial aid application if needed, concurrent with enrollment. Given the limited seats and the multi-state draw, applying early is strongly recommended.
For Alexandria, MO, residents, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation to these private schools located in Illinois and Iowa?
This is a critical logistical factor. The private schools serving Alexandria are located in Fort Madison, IA (Aquinas) and Quincy, IL (St. Peter, QND), requiring a daily commute across the Mississippi River. Most families provide private transportation. Some schools may offer limited bus service from designated pickup points in Missouri, but this is not guaranteed and must be confirmed annually. Carpooling with other Alexandria families is common. Parents should factor commute time (15-30+ minutes depending on bridge traffic) and potential weather-related delays affecting river crossings into their decision. This cross-state commute is a defining characteristic of choosing private school in Alexandria.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Best Private Primary Schools in Alexandria, MO: A Parent's Guide
When you begin searching for "private primary schools near me" in Alexandria, Missouri, you are embarking on a significant decision for your family. This charming river town, nestled along the Mississippi, offers a close-knit community feel that many families cherish, and this extends into its educational options. The journey to find the right private primary school here is less about sifting through an overwhelming list and more about understanding the distinct values and close community partnerships that define local institutions. For parents in Alexandria and the surrounding Clark County area, the primary private education landscape is characterized by faith-based learning and a strong emphasis on individualized student development.
Aquinas Catholic School and St. Peter School are the cornerstone institutions for private primary education in the immediate area. Both schools offer a Pre-K through elementary structure, providing a consistent, values-driven environment during those crucial formative years. A key consideration for Alexandria parents is the seamless continuity these schools offer; your child can build foundational skills in a familiar, supportive setting from their earliest school experience. The benefit of a private primary school here isn't just in small class sizes—though that is a tremendous advantage—but in the way teachers and staff are integrated into the fabric of the town. You’ll often see educators at local community events, reinforcing that partnership between school and home which is so vital.
Looking ahead is an important part of the "private primary schools near me" search in this region. While Quincy Notre Dame High School in Quincy, Illinois, is a secondary institution, it represents a natural and well-trodden educational pathway for many graduates of Alexandria’s private elementary schools. This cross-state connection is a unique aspect of our local educational landscape. Families often consider the full K-12 journey, appreciating that a strong primary foundation at Aquinas or St. Peter’s seamlessly prepares students for the rigorous college-preparatory environment at QND. This long-term planning is a common topic among parents at school functions and local gatherings.
The decision ultimately hinges on what you value most for your child’s early education. In Alexandria, private primary schools provide a structured, moral framework alongside core academics, all within a setting where every child is known by name. The process involves visiting these schools, feeling the community atmosphere firsthand, and speaking with other local parents about their experiences. You’re not just choosing a school; you’re choosing an extended family for your child’s learning journey. The search for "private primary schools near me" in Alexandria, MO, leads to a deeply personal choice, one that aligns your family’s values with an institution dedicated to nurturing not only scholars but conscientious members of our small, riverside community.