The Best Private Schools in Graham, Missouri
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Graham. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Gregory Barbarigo School
Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
St. Gregory Barbarigo School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving the northwest Missouri region, including Graham. The school offers a classical education model with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Serving students from preschool through 8th grade, the school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, literature, science labs, and foreign language. The campus includes modern classrooms, a chapel, gymnasium, and technology-enhanced learning spaces. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports teams, choir, band, and various clubs. Parent satisfaction is consistently high with praise for the nurturing environment and strong academic preparation.
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Maryville Christian School
Independent Christian
Maryville Christian School provides a comprehensive Christ-centered education serving families throughout Nodaway County, including Graham. The school serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade with a rigorous academic program that integrates biblical principles across all subjects. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, dual credit options through Northwest Missouri State University, and strong STEM programs. Facilities include science laboratories, computer labs, a library, and athletic fields. The school emphasizes character development and community service while offering competitive sports, music programs, and various student organizations. Parent reviews consistently highlight the school's strong academic standards, caring teachers, and supportive community environment.
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Bishop LeBlond High School
Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Bishop LeBlond High School is a distinguished Catholic college preparatory school serving students from throughout northwest Missouri, including the Graham area. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with numerous Advanced Placement courses, a dedicated STEM academy, and strong fine arts programs. The 40-acre campus features state-of-the-art science labs, technology centers, performing arts facilities, and extensive athletic complexes. Student-teacher ratios are maintained at 12:1 to ensure personalized attention. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and strong scholarship outcomes. Extracurricular offerings include championship athletic teams, competitive academic teams, and numerous clubs and service organizations. Parent satisfaction surveys consistently show high ratings for academic quality and student development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Graham, Missouri
What are the private school options for families living in Graham, Missouri, and are there any directly in town?
Graham, MO, is a very small rural community, so there are no private school campuses physically located within the town itself. However, families in Graham commonly look to nearby cities for excellent private options. The top schools serving the area include St. Gregory Barbarigo School (a PreK-8 Catholic school in Maryville), Maryville Christian School (a PreK-12 interdenominational Christian school), and Bishop LeBlond High School (a Catholic 9-12 school in St. Joseph). Transportation is a key consideration, with most families providing their own commute, which can range from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the chosen school.
How does tuition at private schools near Graham, MO, compare, and are there Missouri-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-25 school year, St. Gregory Barbarigo and Maryville Christian School typically have lower elementary tuition, often ranging from $4,000 to $6,000 annually, while Bishop LeBlond High School's tuition is higher, often exceeding $8,000. A critical financial consideration for Missouri residents is the **MOScholars Program**, a state-sponsored education savings account (ESA) that provides scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools. This can significantly offset costs. Additionally, all these schools offer their own need-based financial aid, parish subsidies for Catholic families, and multi-child discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Graham, MO, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools in this region emphasize specific value-based education and specialized programs. Bishop LeBlond High School offers a strong college-prep curriculum with notable STEM and arts programs, plus access to competitive athletics in the MEC conference. Maryville Christian School provides a biblically-integrated curriculum across all subjects and a smaller, family-like environment. St. Gregory Barbarigo offers a structured Catholic education with a focus on foundational skills. A common differentiator from the smaller public districts in Nodaway County is the availability of specific foreign languages, advanced placement courses, and distinct faith-based formation, which may not be available in the local public school.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for families in Graham seeking to enroll their child in a private school like St. Gregory or Maryville Christian?
The process generally begins in the winter or early spring prior to the desired fall enrollment. For example, many schools have open houses from January to March. The key steps involve: 1) Submitting an application (often available online) by a spring deadline, 2) Providing academic records and teacher recommendations from your current school (which may be Graham's public school), 3) Possibly undergoing an academic assessment or family interview, and 4) Applying for financial aid/MOScholars simultaneously. It's crucial to contact the admissions office directly, as some grades (especially kindergarten and freshman year) fill quickly. Siblings of current students often receive priority.
For a family in Graham, what are the primary factors to consider when choosing between the local public school and a private school in Maryville or St. Joseph?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Commute:** Public school in Graham involves no transportation hassle, while private options require a daily drive. **Educational Approach:** Graham's public school offers a close-knit, community-based environment. Private schools offer a specific religious foundation (Catholic or Christian) and may have different academic pacing or curriculum focus. **Cost:** Public school is tuition-free. Private school requires a financial commitment, though aid is available. **Extracurriculars:** Larger private schools like Bishop LeBlond may offer more varied sports and clubs than a very small public district. Ultimately, families must weigh their values, budget, and willingness to commute against the specialized programs and faith-based education offered by the private institutions.
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