The Best Private Schools in Holden, Missouri
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Holden. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Peter's Interparish School
Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
St. Peter's Interparish School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving the Holden area with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education. The school emphasizes faith-based learning combined with strong academic fundamentals, featuring modern STEM labs, competitive athletics programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains a 14:1 student-teacher ratio and has consistently high academic performance ratings. The campus includes updated facilities with technology-integrated classrooms, science labs, and athletic fields.
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Summit Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Summit Christian Academy is a premier private Christian school serving the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, including Holden residents. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a rigorous college preparatory curriculum integrated with biblical worldview teaching. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. The academy features Advanced Placement courses, competitive sports teams, and outstanding fine arts programs with numerous state championships in academics and athletics.
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St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School
Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School provides exceptional college preparatory education within a Catholic faith community, serving students from Holden and surrounding areas. The school features specialized academies including STEM, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Humanities, along with comprehensive Advanced Placement offerings. The modern 70-acre campus includes advanced science laboratories, engineering facilities, performing arts theater, and competitive athletic programs. With a focus on character development and academic excellence, the school maintains strong college acceptance rates and parent satisfaction scores.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Holden, Missouri
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Holden, Missouri?
Holden, MO, is served by a small but distinct cluster of private, faith-based schools. The most prominent options include St. Peter's Interparish School (Pre-K through 8th grade), Summit Christian Academy (which offers a Pre-K through 12th program in nearby Lee's Summit, a common choice for Holden families), and St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School (9-12, also in Lee's Summit). For Holden residents, these schools represent a commitment to a religious educational foundation, with St. Peter's providing a local elementary/middle option and the secondary schools typically involving a commute to the Lee's Summit area. There are no large, independent non-sectarian private schools within Holden itself.
How does tuition for private schools serving Holden, MO, compare, and are there Missouri-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 year, St. Peter's Interparish School has a parishioner rate around $5,000 and a non-parishioner rate near $6,000 for elementary grades. Summit Christian Academy and St. Michael the Archangel High School have higher tuitions, typically ranging from $10,000 to $15,000+ annually. Crucially, Missouri offers the "MOScholars" program, a tax-credit scholarship for eligible students (e.g., those with an IEP, in foster care, or from lower-income families) to attend private schools. This state-specific aid can substantially reduce costs for qualifying Holden families. All schools also offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible to Holden students emphasize?
Schools serving the Holden community emphasize faith integration alongside core academics. St. Peter's Interparish provides a strong foundational program with sacramental preparation. Summit Christian Academy offers a comprehensive K-12 curriculum with notable fine arts and athletic programs, along with college-prep AP and dual-credit courses at the high school level. St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School features a distinctive House System for student mentorship, a robust engineering and biomedical sciences track through Project Lead The Way, and a required theology curriculum each year. For Holden families, these programs offer specialized tracks not always available in smaller public districts, particularly in STEM and faith-based character education.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like St. Peter's in Holden?
For Holden's local option, St. Peter's Interparish School, the enrollment process typically begins with an open house in the winter (January-February). Priority registration for existing families and parishioners of St. Peter's Church usually occurs in early spring, with open registration for new families following shortly after. The process involves submitting an application, birth and baptismal certificates, sacramental records (if applicable), and academic records from previous schools. It is highly advisable for Holden parents to connect with the parish and school office by early winter to express interest and ensure they meet any parish affiliation requirements for the lowest tuition rate. For the secondary schools in Lee's Summit, timelines are similar but may have earlier application deadlines.
For a family in Holden, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school option?
The Holden R-III School District is a well-regarded, small public district. The key considerations for choosing private often center on educational philosophy and logistics. Private schools offer a consistent faith-based environment throughout the curriculum, smaller class sizes, and a specific community aligned with religious values. The trade-off includes cost, and for secondary grades, a daily commute to Lee's Summit (20-30+ minutes). Academically, Holden High School provides a solid education, but private options may offer more specialized college-prep tracks or specific programs like engineering. The decision frequently hinges on how much a family prioritizes religious education and is willing to invest financially and logistically for that specific environment.
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