The Best Private Schools in Licking, Missouri
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Licking. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Patrick School
Catholic School System
St. Patrick School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the broader Licking area from Rolla, approximately 20 miles away. The school offers comprehensive education from Pre-K through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence integrated with Catholic values. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and dedicated spaces for arts and music. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, allowing for personalized attention. Extracurricular activities include sports teams, academic competitions, and community service programs. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and strong academic foundation.
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St. John Lutheran School
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
St. John Lutheran School provides quality Christian education to students in the Licking region from its Rolla location. Serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade, the school combines rigorous academics with faith-based learning. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, science, and social studies enhanced by technology integration. The school features updated facilities including a library, computer lab, and gymnasium. Extracurricular offerings include choir, band, sports teams, and various clubs. Parent reviews highlight the dedicated teaching staff and strong sense of community, with many families commuting from Licking for the quality education.
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New Horizons Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
New Horizons Christian Academy in Salem serves the Licking community as a regional private school option located approximately 25 miles away. The school offers education from Pre-K through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus integrated with Christian values. Academic programs include Advanced Placement courses, dual credit options, and comprehensive STEM education. Facilities include science laboratories, computer labs, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains a diverse extracurricular program including competitive sports, fine arts, and academic clubs. Parents appreciate the school's commitment to academic excellence and character development, with many families from Licking choosing this option for its comprehensive high school program.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Licking, Missouri
What are the primary private school options available for families in Licking, Missouri, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Licking, MO, offers three primary private school options, each with a distinct focus. St. Patrick School is a Catholic institution providing a faith-based education integrated with a traditional academic curriculum for grades PK-8. St. John Lutheran School offers a Christ-centered, Lutheran education, also for early childhood through 8th grade, emphasizing spiritual development alongside core academics. New Horizons Christian Academy provides a nondenominational Christian education. For high school, families in Licking typically need to consider private options in larger nearby communities like Rolla or Lebanon, or utilize Missouri's virtual school programs. This limited local availability makes early research and planning essential.
How does tuition at private schools in Licking, MO, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition at Licking's private schools is generally below the Missouri state average for private education, reflecting the area's rural cost of living. For the 2023-2024 year, tuition for elementary grades typically ranged from $3,500 to $5,500 annually. All three schools offer financial assistance, often through need-based scholarships and parish or congregational subsidies for member families. Critically, Missouri residents can leverage state-sponsored programs like the MOScholars K-12 Scholarship Program, which provides tax-credit scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools, and the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) Program. These programs can significantly offset costs, making private education more accessible for Licking families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Licking's private schools offer that differentiate them from the local public school district?
The private schools in Licking differentiate themselves through specialized programs that complement their small class sizes. A key offering is robust religious education and character formation, which is woven into the daily curriculum. Academically, schools like St. Patrick and St. John Lutheran often have multi-grade classrooms that can allow for personalized pacing. New Horizons Christian Academy may emphasize a particular pedagogical approach aligned with its nondenominational mission. Extracurriculars are more limited than in larger districts but are tightly knit, often focusing on local academic competitions, music, and community service projects deeply connected to the churches and town. The defining feature is the intimate, values-based community environment that is a direct alternative to the larger Licking R-VIII School District.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for securing a spot at a private school in Licking, Missouri?
Due to the small size of Licking's private schools, enrollment is highly personalized and spaces can be limited. The process typically begins in the winter or early spring (January-March) for the following fall. Parents should contact the school directly to schedule a tour and meet with the principal. The application usually requires submission of academic records, a pastor or character reference (for religious schools), and a family interview. Some schools may have a priority enrollment period for existing families and members of the supporting church. It is highly advisable to initiate contact well before the public school registration period, as some grades may have waiting lists. Rolling admission may be available if spots remain.
For families new to the area, what are the key considerations when choosing between the Licking R-VIII public school and a local private school?
The decision hinges on several Licking-specific factors. The public Licking R-VIII School District offers a comprehensive K-12 pathway, broader extracurricular activities (including athletics and agriculture programs), and no tuition. The local private schools offer a faith-based environment, very low student-to-teacher ratios, and a consistent disciplinary framework rooted in religious values. Transportation is a major practical consideration; private schools in Licking do not provide district busing, so parents must arrange transportation. Furthermore, private options end at 8th grade, requiring a transition plan for high school. Families should assess their priorities: a seamless K-12 public education with diverse offerings versus a tightly-knit, values-driven elementary/middle school experience that may involve a later school change.
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