The Best Private Schools in Saint Clair, Missouri
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Saint Clair. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Francis Borgia Regional High School
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Located approximately 15 miles from Saint Clair in Washington, MO, St. Francis Borgia Regional High School serves students throughout Franklin County including Saint Clair families. This comprehensive Catholic high school offers rigorous college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses and a dedicated STEM Academy. The campus features modern science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, extensive athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains a 99% college acceptance rate and emphasizes spiritual formation alongside academic achievement through retreat programs and community service requirements.
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St. Clare Catholic School
Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Clare Catholic School is the primary private education institution located directly in Saint Clair, serving students from preschool through 8th grade. The school provides a faith-based education integrated with strong academic foundations, including modern STEM curriculum and traditional Catholic values. Facilities include dedicated classrooms, a library, computer lab, and gymnasium. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence and maintains small class sizes for personalized attention. Extracurricular activities include sports, music programs, and community service opportunities.
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St. Gertrude School
Archdiocese of St. Louis
While located in Florissant approximately 30 miles from Saint Clair, St. Gertrude School serves as a regional Catholic education option for families throughout the greater St. Louis area. The school provides education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence rooted in Catholic traditions. The curriculum includes comprehensive language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies programs enhanced by technology integration across all grade levels. The school features specialized learning spaces, a well-equipped library, and offers various extracurricular activities including sports, choir, and academic clubs. Parent involvement is highly encouraged through active parent-teacher organizations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Saint Clair, Missouri
What are the primary private school options available for families in Saint Clair, Missouri, and what grade levels do they serve?
Saint Clair, MO, is served by a small but established network of faith-based private schools. The primary options are St. Clare Catholic School (pre-K through 8th grade), St. Gertrude School (pre-K through 8th grade), and St. Francis Borgia Regional High School (grades 9-12). It's important to note that while the high school is located in nearby Washington, MO, it serves as the primary Catholic high school for the Saint Clair parish community. For a continuous K-12 private education in the area, families typically transition from one of the elementary/middle schools to the regional high school.
How does the tuition for private schools in Saint Clair, MO, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Saint Clair's private schools is generally below the Missouri state average for private education, reflecting the area's cost of living. For the 2023-2024 school year, elementary tuition at schools like St. Clare or St. Gertrude often ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 annually for parishioners, with a higher rate for non-parishioners. Financial support is primarily offered through parish subsidies for active members, need-based scholarships from the school or diocese, and Missouri state programs like the MOScholars Tax Credit Scholarship, which provides funds for eligible students to attend private schools. Each school's admissions office can provide detailed, current tuition schedules and aid applications.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Saint Clair's private schools offer that leverage the local community or environment?
Saint Clair's private schools integrate the region's character into their programs. Academically, schools like St. Clare and St. Gertrude emphasize strong foundational skills with a values-based curriculum, often incorporating agricultural or environmental science projects relevant to Franklin County. Extracurricularly, while smaller in size, these schools often participate in regional Catholic athletic leagues (like the Archdiocesan Athletic Association) and academic competitions. St. Francis Borgia High School offers a broader range of programs, including robust theology courses, college dual-credit partnerships with local colleges, and vocational pathways. A notable aspect is the strong community service component, where students engage with local Saint Clair organizations, food pantries, and events.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Saint Clair, Missouri, and are there priorities for admission?
The enrollment process for Saint Clair's private schools usually begins in January or February for the following academic year. Key steps include attending an open house, completing a application (often with a pastoral reference for Catholic schools), submitting birth and baptismal certificates, and providing academic records. Priority admission is almost universally given to: 1) Siblings of currently enrolled students, 2) Active, contributing members of the supporting Catholic parish(es), and 3) Children of alumni, especially for the high school. Due to the small size of these schools, spaces can be limited, particularly in early childhood grades, so early inquiry is recommended. Some schools may also require a family interview.
For a family new to Saint Clair, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and the available private schools?
The key considerations involve educational philosophy, cost, and community fit. The Saint Clair R-XIII School District offers a tuition-free, comprehensive K-12 education with a wide range of sports and activities. The private schools (St. Clare, St. Gertrude, and St. Francis Borgia) offer a faith-based education with typically smaller class sizes and a consistent moral framework throughout the curriculum. The decision often hinges on a family's values and budget. The private school community in Saint Clair is tight-knit, with deep multi-generational ties, which can provide strong social support. Transportation is another factor; while the public district provides buses, private school families usually arrange their own transportation, including to the high school in Washington.