The Best Private Schools in Augusta, Montana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Augusta. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Great Falls Central Catholic High School
Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
Great Falls Central Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving students from Augusta and surrounding communities. Established in 1960, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The academic program includes advanced STEM courses, honors classes, and dual credit opportunities through partnerships with local colleges. Students benefit from a strong spiritual formation program, competitive athletics including football, basketball, and track, and extensive fine arts opportunities. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and is known for its tight-knit community atmosphere and character development programs.
Programs:
Holy Spirit School
Holy Spirit Parish
Holy Spirit School provides exceptional private Catholic education for students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, serving families from Augusta and the broader region. Founded in 1955, the school offers a rigorous academic foundation with strong emphasis on literacy, mathematics, and faith formation. The curriculum includes specialized instruction in music, art, physical education, and technology. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and the school features modern facilities including updated classrooms, a library, and gymnasium. Holy Spirit is particularly noted for its family-oriented community, strong parent involvement, and comprehensive preparation for high school.
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Ursuline Centre Preschool and Kindergarten
Ursuline Sisters
The Ursuline Centre Preschool and Kindergarten has been providing exceptional early childhood education since 1978, serving families from Augusta and the Great Falls area. The school offers a nurturing, play-based learning environment with Montessori-inspired approaches that foster independence and curiosity. The program emphasizes social-emotional development, early literacy and numeracy skills, and creative expression through art, music, and movement. With experienced teachers and low student-teacher ratios, children receive individualized attention in a beautiful, historic campus setting. The Ursuline Centre is particularly praised for its warm, caring atmosphere and excellent preparation for elementary school.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Augusta, Montana
What are the actual private school options available for families residing in Augusta, Montana?
Augusta itself is a very small, rural community and does not host a private K-12 school within its immediate town limits. Therefore, families in Augusta typically look to nearby communities. The primary options include Great Falls Central Catholic High School (grades 9-12) and Holy Spirit School (grades PreK-8), both located approximately 70 miles east in Great Falls. For younger children, the Ursuline Centre Preschool and Kindergarten in Great Falls is another option. Many Augusta families commute or consider boarding arrangements for high school. Exploring these schools requires planning for transportation, which is a key local consideration.
How does Montana's "Tax Credit for Contributions to Student Scholarship Organizations" benefit parents considering private schools near Augusta?
Montana's tax credit program is a significant financial consideration for families. You can receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Montana state income tax for contributions made to approved Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs), which then grant need-based scholarships to students attending private schools. This can indirectly reduce the net cost of tuition at schools like Great Falls Central Catholic or Holy Spirit. It's crucial to donate to an SSO that partners with your chosen school and to understand the annual contribution limits and application deadlines for scholarships, as this is a primary avenue for financial aid in the state.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Augusta, MT, offer that reflect the local environment?
Schools in this region often integrate Montana's natural and cultural heritage into their programs. Great Falls Central Catholic, for instance, may offer outdoor education, environmental science projects tied to the Rocky Mountain Front, and agriculture-related clubs (like FFA) that resonate with families from ranching communities like Augusta. Holy Spirit School emphasizes a faith-based education in a smaller classroom setting, which is appealing for those seeking a tight-knit community similar to Augusta's. While not in Augusta, these schools provide a structured environment that can complement the values and lifestyle of rural Montana families.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Great Falls that serve students from Augusta?
Given the distance, planning ahead is essential. Schools like Holy Spirit and Great Falls Central Catholic generally begin their enrollment periods for the following academic year in January or February. The process often includes submitting an application, providing records from your Augusta-area school, a family interview, and placement testing. For families in Augusta, it's highly recommended to schedule a visit and interview early due to the travel required. Additionally, inquiring about transportation carpool networks with other Augusta families or the availability of limited boarding options at the high school level is an important early step in the process.
For a family in Augusta, what are the key factors when deciding between the local public school (Augusta Elementary) and a private school in Great Falls?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. The Augusta Public School system offers the convenience of a close-knit, community-based education without a commute. Choosing a private school in Great Falls involves a significant daily commute (about 1.5 hours each way), which impacts family time and logistics. Parents must weigh this against desired factors such as a specific religious education, different academic or athletic offerings, or a different class size. For high school, some Augusta students already commute to Great Falls for public specialty programs, so comparing those public options against private ones like Great Falls Central Catholic becomes part of the local decision matrix.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Secondary Schools Near Augusta, Montana for Your Child
When you begin searching for "private secondary schools near me" from Augusta, Montana, you quickly discover a defining characteristic of our region: the value of community and the importance of intentional choice. Augusta, nestled against the majestic Rocky Mountain Front, offers an unparalleled rural lifestyle, but it also means that the landscape for private secondary education requires a broader view and careful consideration of what "near" truly means for your family. The journey to find the right fit is less about a simple commute and more about aligning your child’s educational path with your family’s core values and logistical realities.
While Augusta itself is home to excellent foundational institutions like the Ursuline Centre for early learners, the search for private high schools naturally extends your gaze toward larger communities. A primary destination for many Augusta families is Great Falls, approximately an hour and a half drive to the east. Here, you’ll find Great Falls Central Catholic High School, a prominent option that draws students from across the region. This school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum deeply integrated with Catholic values, alongside a strong emphasis on character development and service. For families committed to a faith-based education through the secondary years, this commute becomes a meaningful part of their weekly rhythm, often shared through carpools that strengthen community bonds.
Another significant consideration is the holistic development of your teenager. Private secondary schools in this area often compensate for their smaller size compared to large public districts with highly personalized attention. At a school like Great Falls Central Catholic, your child is known by name by every teacher and staff member. This environment can foster tremendous academic confidence and leadership skills, which are invaluable for students coming from Augusta’s tight-knit K-8 experience. Furthermore, many of these schools offer robust extracurricular and athletic programs that provide essential social and competitive outlets, ensuring students are well-rounded as they prepare for college and beyond.
Ultimately, your search for "private secondary schools near me" in Augusta is an exercise in defining priorities. It involves weighing the profound benefits of a values-driven, personalized education against the practicalities of distance. We encourage you to look beyond mere mileage. Schedule visits to schools like Great Falls Central Catholic High School. Feel the campus culture, talk to teachers and current parents, and assess the transportation options and potential for boarding if available. For some families, the daily drive is a worthwhile investment for an education that aligns perfectly with their goals. For others, it may lead to exploring other models or affirming the strengths of our local public pathways. In the expansive landscape of Montana, the best school is the one that feels like an extension of your home, wherever the road may lead.