The Best Private Schools in Independence, Missouri
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Independence. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Barstow School
Independent
The Barstow School is a highly-regarded independent school serving the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, including Independence families. Founded in 1884, it offers a rigorous college preparatory education from early childhood through high school. The school features exceptional STEM programs, extensive arts offerings, and competitive athletics. Barstow's campus includes state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and consistently produces National Merit Scholars.
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Pembroke Hill School
Independent
Pembroke Hill School is a premier independent school serving the Kansas City region, including Independence residents. The school offers both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs, providing students with multiple pathways to academic excellence. With two campuses spanning early childhood through high school, Pembroke Hill features comprehensive athletic facilities, modern science and technology labs, and extensive arts programs. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement and maintains a strong college placement record with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School serves families throughout eastern Jackson County, including Independence. As a college preparatory school rooted in Catholic tradition, it offers rigorous academic programs with particular strength in STEM education. The modern campus features advanced science laboratories, technology-integrated classrooms, and comprehensive athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and provides extensive college counseling services. St. Michael's graduates consistently achieve above-average ACT scores and gain acceptance to competitive colleges and universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Independence, Missouri
What are the primary types of private schools available to families in Independence, Missouri, and how do they differ?
Independence offers a diverse range of private school options, primarily including independent college-preparatory day schools, faith-based institutions, and specialized academies. Notable examples are The Barstow School and Pembroke Hill School, which are prestigious, non-sectarian K-12 schools with a strong focus on rigorous academics, arts, and athletics, though they are located in nearby Kansas City with many Independence residents attending. Within Independence proper, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School provides a faith-based education. The landscape is characterized by schools that often draw from the wider metro area, so parents should consider commute times to schools in bordering cities as a key part of their decision.
How does tuition for top private schools in the Independence, MO area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools accessible to Independence families varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, schools like The Barstow School and Pembroke Hill School have tuition ranging from approximately $25,000 to $30,000+ for upper grades. St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School, as a diocesan school, often has a lower tuition, typically in the $10,000-$15,000 range. Most of these schools offer substantial need-based financial aid, and Missouri also has state-sponsored programs like the MOScholars K-12 Scholarship Program, which provides tax-credit scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools, a crucial consideration for Independence residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are emphasized by private schools serving the Independence community?
Private schools in the Independence area often leverage their resources to offer distinctive programs. Given Independence's historical significance, many schools integrate local history and civic engagement into their curricula. The Barstow School is renowned for its global studies and entrepreneurship programs. Pembroke Hill emphasizes a strong science research and robotics curriculum. St. Michael the Archangel offers a dedicated STEM program and theology studies aligned with its Catholic identity. Furthermore, proximity to Kansas City allows these schools to provide robust partnerships with local cultural institutions, universities, and businesses for internships and enrichment not always available in standard public school settings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Independence, MO area?
The enrollment process for competitive private schools in the Independence/Kansas City metro area is highly structured and often begins over a year in advance. For schools like Barstow and Pembroke Hill, the application cycle for the following academic year typically opens in August or September, with deadlines for applications and financial aid requests between January and February. The process usually includes standardized testing (like the ISEE), school visits, interviews, and teacher recommendations. St. Michael the Archangel may have a slightly different timeline but also encourages early application. It is critical for Independence parents to start research and tours in the fall to meet these deadlines, as spaces, especially in entry-level grades, are limited.
For a family living in Independence, what are the key factors in choosing between a top-rated Independence public school and a leading private school in the region?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. Independence public schools, like those in the Independence School District, offer a no-tuition option with certain acclaimed programs, such as the Missouri Fine Arts Academy at Truman High School. Choosing a private school often involves seeking a specific educational philosophy (Montessori, classical, faith-based), smaller class sizes, or more specialized academic tracks. A major practical consideration is the commute, as top private options are primarily in Kansas City, adding daily travel time. Financially, families must weigh the cost of private tuition against potentially moving to a higher-cost public school district. The unique value of private schools in this region is often their extensive alumni networks and consistent college matriculation records to highly selective universities.