The Best Private Schools in Carroll, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Carroll. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mount Michael Benedictine School
Benedictine Order
Mount Michael Benedictine School is an elite Catholic college preparatory school that serves students from across Nebraska, including the Carroll region. As a boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12, it offers an exceptional academic environment with a strong STEM focus and leadership development. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including advanced science laboratories, extensive athletic facilities, and a beautiful campus setting. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Mount Michael consistently produces graduates who attend top-tier universities and has earned recognition as one of Nebraska's premier private educational institutions.
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St. Isidore School
Archdiocese of Omaha
St. Isidore School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the broader region including Carroll. With over 60 years of educational excellence, the school offers a comprehensive PreK-8 program focused on faith-based education combined with strong academic foundations. The school features modern facilities, dedicated teachers with an average of 15+ years experience, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes STEM programs, fine arts, and competitive athletics. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high with the school consistently receiving praise for its nurturing environment and academic rigor.
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Norfolk Catholic Schools
Diocese of Lincoln
Norfolk Catholic Schools is a comprehensive private school system serving Northeast Nebraska, including the Carroll area. The institution has maintained an outstanding reputation for academic excellence for over eight decades, offering education from elementary through high school. The college preparatory curriculum is enhanced by robust athletic programs, fine arts opportunities, and strong community involvement. With modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes, Norfolk Catholic provides a well-rounded education with a 100% college acceptance rate and numerous merit scholarship recipients annually.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Carroll, Nebraska
What are the primary private school options available for families in Carroll, Nebraska, and what are their key characteristics?
In Carroll, Nebraska, the primary private school option is St. Isidore School, which is a Catholic school serving grades PK-8. For high school, many Carroll families look to nearby institutions, most notably Norfolk Catholic Schools (about a 45-minute drive) for a co-ed Catholic education, and Mount Michael Benedictine School (near Elkhorn, roughly a 90-minute drive), which is an all-boys Catholic college-preparatory boarding/day school. This means families in Carroll often consider commuting or boarding options for secondary private education, as local in-town private options are limited beyond the 8th grade.
How does tuition for private schools serving Carroll, NE, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Nebraska?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and grade level. St. Isidore School in Carroll typically has parish-subsidized tuition rates that are lower than regional secondary schools. Norfolk Catholic and Mount Michael have higher tuition due to their extensive facilities and programs. A key financial consideration for Nebraska residents is the Opportunity Scholarships Act, which provides tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, effectively funding scholarships for students to attend private schools. Additionally, many Nebraska private schools offer need-based aid and parish subsidies for active church members.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Carroll residents?
Schools accessible to Carroll students offer distinct programs. St. Isidore provides a foundational faith-based education with strong community involvement. Norfolk Catholic Schools offer a comprehensive high school curriculum with competitive athletics and fine arts. Mount Michael Benedictine is renowned for its rigorous STEM-focused curriculum, advanced placement courses, and a unique Benedictine boarding community that fosters leadership and intellectual growth. For Carroll families, choosing a school often involves weighing the value of a local community school against specialized college-prep programs that may require a longer commute.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Isidore in Carroll, and when should parents apply?
For St. Isidore School in Carroll, enrollment for the following academic year often opens in early spring (February/March). Priority is typically given to registered parishioners and current families. The process usually involves submitting an application, birth and baptismal certificates, and academic records. For schools like Norfolk Catholic or Mount Michael, which attract students from a wide region, application deadlines can be as early as January, with entrance exams often required for high school placement. Parents in Carroll are advised to contact their school of interest by the fall prior to the desired enrollment year to ensure they meet all deadlines and requirements.
How do private schools in and around Carroll, NE, differentiate themselves from the public school system, and what are the key considerations for making a choice?
The key differentiation is often mission and scale. St. Isidore offers small class sizes and integrated religious education within the Carroll community, which the public school cannot provide. The surrounding private high schools offer specialized college-prep environments (like Mount Michael's STEM focus) or a comprehensive faith-based athletics and arts program (Norfolk Catholic). Considerations for Carroll parents include: the value of a K-8 local private education versus transitioning to public high school, the willingness and ability to commute for high school, the importance of religious formation, and the financial investment compared to the well-regarded Carroll Public Schools system. The choice is deeply personal, balancing community, faith, academic goals, and logistics.