The Best Private Schools in Excelsior Springs, Missouri
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Excelsior Springs. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Ann Catholic School
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
St. Ann Catholic School is a highly-regarded private institution serving Excelsior Springs for over seven decades. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education rooted in Catholic values while maintaining strong academic standards. The curriculum includes advanced STEM programs, comprehensive language arts, and religious education. Facilities include modern classrooms, a dedicated science lab, and extensive athletic facilities. Parents consistently praise the school's dedicated teachers, strong community atmosphere, and excellent student-teacher ratios that provide personalized attention.
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The Barstow School
Independent
The Barstow School is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, including families from Excelsior Springs. As an International Baccalaureate World School, Barstow offers rigorous academic programs from junior kindergarten through 12th grade. The campus features state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts centers, athletic facilities, and innovative learning spaces. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, the school provides individualized attention and boasts a 100% college acceptance rate to top-tier universities nationwide.
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Pembroke Hill School
Independent
Pembroke Hill School is a highly respected independent school with a long history of academic excellence serving the Kansas City region, including Excelsior Springs families. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with extensive Advanced Placement course offerings. The 63-acre campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. Pembroke Hill emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement, with strong community values and a diverse student body that prepares students for global citizenship.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Excelsior Springs, Missouri
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Excelsior Springs, Missouri?
For families in Excelsior Springs, the most accessible and notable private school is St. Ann Catholic School, which offers a faith-based education from preschool through 8th grade. While The Barstow School and Pembroke Hill School are top-tier independent schools often considered by families in the greater Kansas City region, they are located in Kansas City, MO, approximately a 35-45 minute commute from Excelsior Springs. This makes them a viable, though less local, option for families seeking a rigorous college-preparatory environment. Parents should consider the daily commute and potential transportation services when evaluating these excellent but non-local schools.
How does the tuition for private schools serving Excelsior Springs compare, and are there Missouri-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly between the local and regional options. St. Ann Catholic School, as a parish-supported institution, typically has a lower tuition rate, often ranging from $5,000-$7,000 annually, with discounts for parish members and multiple children. In contrast, The Barstow School and Pembroke Hill School have tuition that can exceed $25,000 per year for upper grades. Missouri offers several financial aid options, including the MOScholars program, which provides tax-credit scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools. Additionally, many schools have their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarship programs. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school's admissions office about available aid and application deadlines.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible to Excelsior Springs students offer?
The schools offer distinct programs catering to different interests. St. Ann Catholic School provides a strong core curriculum integrated with Catholic values and may feature local community service projects specific to Excelsior Springs. The Barstow School is renowned for its global studies and entrepreneurship programs, along with robust arts and athletics. Pembroke Hill School is known for its extensive advanced placement (AP) course offerings, a renowned science research program, and competitive athletic conferences. For Excelsior Springs families, a key consideration is whether the specialized programs at the Kansas City schools justify the commute, or if the foundational and community-focused education at the local Catholic school is a better fit.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Excelsior Springs area?
Timelines differ by school. For St. Ann Catholic School in Excelsior Springs, the application process often begins in early winter (January-February) for the following academic year, with priority given to parish families and siblings. The Kansas City-based schools like Barstow and Pembroke Hill have more competitive and structured timelines, with applications due in January or February, followed by entrance testing and interviews. These schools often have notification dates in March. Given the competitive nature of the regional schools, Excelsior Springs parents are advised to begin research and campus visits a full year in advance, often in the fall before the desired enrollment year.
For an Excelsior Springs resident, what are the key factors when comparing the local public school district to private school options?
Key factors include educational philosophy, class size, and specific student needs. The Excelsior Springs School District offers a comprehensive, tuition-free K-12 education with various programs. Choosing a private school like St. Ann often centers on desiring a religious education or smaller class sizes within the community. Opting for a commute to a school like Barstow or Pembroke Hill is typically driven by seeking a highly competitive, college-prep environment with extensive resources, specialized programs, and a broader demographic reach that a suburban/rural public district may not provide. Parents should also weigh the significant time and cost of commuting against the benefits, as well as consider involvement in local versus city-based extracurricular communities.