The Best Private Schools in Hazelwood, Missouri
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hazelwood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
John Burroughs School
Independent
John Burroughs School is consistently ranked among the top private schools in Missouri and nationally. Located just 15 minutes from Hazelwood, this prestigious independent school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional academic programs. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. With small class sizes and highly qualified faculty, John Burroughs maintains a 100% college acceptance rate to top universities. The school emphasizes character education, community service, and comprehensive extracurricular programs including championship athletic teams and extensive arts offerings.
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Whitfield School
Independent
Whitfield School is a highly regarded independent college preparatory school serving the greater St. Louis area, including Hazelwood families. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside advanced placement courses, providing students with globally recognized academic credentials. Whitfield features a 25-acre campus with modern classrooms, science and technology labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes project-based learning, critical thinking, and character development. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, students receive personalized attention and strong college counseling support.
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Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School
Society of the Sacred Heart
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School is a premier Catholic independent school located approximately 20 minutes from Hazelwood. As a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, it offers a comprehensive education grounded in spiritual formation and academic excellence. The school serves students from early childhood through high school with a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Facilities include modern STEM labs, performing arts centers, chapel, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes the Five Goals of Sacred Heart education while maintaining strong academic performance and college placement records.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hazelwood, Missouri
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Hazelwood, Missouri, and are they located within the city limits?
While Hazelwood itself has a limited number of private elementary schools, families in this North St. Louis County suburb have access to several of the region's top-ranked private institutions, though they are located in neighboring municipalities. Notable schools include John Burroughs School (independent, grades 7-12) in Ladue, Whitfield School (independent, grades 6-12) in Creve Coeur, and Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School (Catholic, all-girls JK-12, co-ed Oak Hill elementary) in Frontenac. These schools are typically a 20-30 minute commute from Hazelwood. Local Catholic parishes also operate elementary schools. This means Hazelwood parents often consider a wider metropolitan area for private education.
How does Missouri's tuition tax credit scholarship program impact the affordability of private schools for Hazelwood families?
Missouri's MOScholars program is a significant financial consideration. It provides tax credits for donations to Educational Assistance Organizations (EAOs), which then award scholarships to eligible students. For a Hazelwood family, eligibility is primarily based on household income (up to 200% of the free-and-reduced-price lunch program) and includes students with an IEP or those in a low-performing school district. This can make schools like Whitfield or Villa Duchesne more accessible. It's crucial to apply for these scholarships early, as funds are limited. Additionally, all major private schools offer their own need-based financial aid, which is separate from MOScholars.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the top private schools near Hazelwood, MO, offer that differentiate them from local public options?
Schools in this corridor offer specialized programs that leverage their resources and St. Louis's institutions. John Burroughs is renowned for its intensive writing-across-the-curriculum and exceptional college placement. Whitfield has a distinctive coordinate program with Mary Institute and Country Day School (MICDS) for certain arts and language courses and emphasizes project-based learning. Villa Duchesne offers a Sacred Heart education with a global network and a strong focus on STEM and leadership. All provide extensive arts, athletics, and robotics programs, with facilities and teacher-student ratios that often exceed those in Hazelwood's public school district. Many also have established partnerships with Washington University and the St. Louis Science Center.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools like John Burroughs or Whitfield for a student from Hazelwood?
The process is highly structured and begins over a year in advance. For fall entry, families should start researching in the spring of the student's 6th or 7th grade year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in September-October), registering for and taking the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or SSAT in the fall, submitting applications by early January (which include essays, recommendations, and transcripts), and completing student and parent interviews in January or February. Admissions decisions are typically released in mid-March. It is highly recommended that Hazelwood families visit campuses to assess the commute and ensure the school culture is a good fit.
For a family in Hazelwood, what are the key factors when deciding between the Hazelwood School District and a private school in the St. Louis area?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Commute:** A daily drive to a Ladue or Creve Coeur school is a major commitment. **Cost:** Contrasting free public education with significant private tuition (often $25,000-$35,000+) plus transportation costs. **Academic Environment:** Private schools offer smaller class sizes, specialized curricula, and often higher standardized test scores, while Hazelwood School District provides diverse populations, specific magnet programs, and special education services. **Community:** Attending a Hazelwood public school keeps children in their local community, whereas a private school places them in a regional, often socioeconomically different, peer group. Many Hazelwood families weigh the desire for a specific educational approach against the practicalities of cost and logistics.
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