The Best Private Schools in Ewing, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ewing. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Elementary School
Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools
St. Mary's Elementary School in O'Neill serves students from Ewing and surrounding communities with a comprehensive Catholic education program. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside strong academic preparation, featuring small class sizes and individualized attention. Programs include modern STEM curriculum, fine arts, and competitive athletics. The school maintains strong community ties and has served families in Holt County and surrounding areas for generations, with many students commuting from Ewing for the quality education and faith-based environment.
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Lutheran High Northeast
Nebraska District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Lutheran High Northeast serves students from across northeast Nebraska, including Ewing families seeking a comprehensive Christian high school education. The school offers rigorous college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, extensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. With a strong emphasis on spiritual development and character formation, the school provides transportation options and has established relationships with feeder schools throughout the region. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes.
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Columbus Scotus Central Catholic
Diocese of Lincoln Catholic Schools
Columbus Scotus Central Catholic serves as a regional Catholic school drawing students from multiple counties, including families from Ewing seeking a comprehensive private education. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, strong STEM programs, and competitive athletics. With a commitment to Catholic identity and academic excellence, Scotus has a long tradition of preparing students for college success. The school community includes families from surrounding rural areas who value the combination of strong academics, faith formation, and extracurricular opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ewing, Nebraska
What are the private school options for families living in Ewing, Nebraska, and do students typically commute to nearby towns?
Ewing, NE, is a small rural community, so there are no private schools physically located within the town limits. Families in Ewing seeking private education typically look to nearby cities. The top options include St. Mary's Elementary School (a K-6 Catholic school) and Lutheran High Northeast (a 9-12 Lutheran school), both located in Norfolk, approximately 25 miles away. Columbus Scotus Central Catholic (a 7-12 Catholic school) in Columbus is also a consideration, about 35 miles from Ewing. This means commuting or carpooling is a significant logistical factor for Ewing residents, and understanding the daily travel commitment is a key part of the decision.
How does tuition at private schools serving Ewing, NE, compare, and are there any Nebraska-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Mary's Elementary tuition is approximately $3,500-$4,000 for parishioners, Lutheran High Northeast is around $8,900, and Columbus Scotus is roughly $5,500 for parish members. A critical Nebraska-specific resource is the **Opportunity Scholarships Act**, which provides tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. This can increase the availability of need-based scholarships for families. Additionally, many schools offer multi-child discounts and parish subsidies for affiliated families. It's essential to contact each school's financial office directly, as aid packages can significantly reduce the net cost.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools accessible from Ewing, NE, offer that reflect the region's character?
Schools in this area often integrate the region's strong agricultural and faith-based values into their programs. Lutheran High Northeast features a prominent **FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter** and agriscience courses, aligning with Nebraska's agricultural economy. Columbus Scotus and St. Mary's offer robust religion and theology curricula central to their Catholic identity. Extracurricularly, these schools compete in the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) with notable strength in sports like volleyball, football, and basketball, providing a close-knit, competitive community atmosphere that resonates with small-town Nebraska life.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Mary's or Lutheran High Northeast for a family from Ewing?
The process typically begins in the fall or winter prior to the desired school year. For example, open houses are often held between October and January. Application deadlines for priority consideration are usually in early spring (February/March). The process involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview or shadow day. For Ewing families, it's crucial to inquire about **transportation options** early, as neither school provides district-wide busing from Ewing. Many families coordinate carpools with others from the area. Sibling and parish member priority is common, so connecting with the local parish (for Catholic schools) well in advance is advised.
For a family in Ewing, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school in a neighboring city?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Ewing Public School** offers the convenience of a very short commute and deep integration into the immediate community. Choosing a private school in Norfolk or Columbus involves a significant daily commute (30-70 minutes round trip) but offers different educational philosophies (faith-based instruction), potentially smaller class sizes, and specialized programs. Academically, you'll want to compare standardized test scores and college placement records. The social and extracurricular environment also differs; the private schools draw from a wider regional area, which can expand your child's network but may require more effort to maintain local Ewing friendships. Ultimately, it's a balance of values, logistics, and financial investment unique to rural Nebraska living.
Private Education Insights
Find the Best Private Pre-K in Ewing, NE: Your Guide to Early Learning
For parents in Ewing, Nebraska, the search for a “private pre k near me” is about more than just finding a classroom for your young child. It’s the first significant step in a long-term educational journey, one that often leads to the excellent private institutions that are cornerstones of our community. While Ewing itself is a close-knit town, the surrounding area offers several distinguished private schools that begin with foundational early childhood programs, setting the stage for a seamless educational path through high school.
When you begin your search, you’ll quickly find that the concept of “near me” in our part of Nebraska often involves a short, manageable commute to neighboring communities. This is a common and worthwhile consideration for Ewing families seeking the specific values and academic rigor of private education. A prime example is St. Mary’s Elementary School, which is known to offer a preschool program rooted in faith-based values. For many families, starting a child in a pre-kindergarten program like this one creates a natural transition into their respected elementary curriculum, fostering a sense of community and continuity from the very start.
Your exploration of private pre-k options should also look toward the future. Many parents in Ewing choose a pre-k program that aligns with a long-term private school plan. Institutions like Columbus Scotus Central Catholic and Lutheran High Northeast represent the culmination of that K-12 journey. While they are high schools, their associated feeder schools often begin with preschool, creating an integrated educational pathway. Investigating the early childhood programs connected to these respected institutions can be a strategic decision. It’s about investing in a cohesive educational philosophy—whether it’s Catholic or Lutheran—that will guide your child’s learning and character development for years to come.
The practicalities for Ewing residents are important. Visiting these schools means a drive, but one that families consistently find valuable. It’s an opportunity to see classrooms in action, meet teachers who emphasize low student-to-teacher ratios, and understand how each program balances academic readiness with social and spiritual growth. Ask about daily routines, play-based learning, and how they communicate with parents. Given our rural setting, these schools often become extended families, providing a network of support that is invaluable.
Ultimately, searching for “private pre k near me” in Ewing is the beginning of a thoughtful process. It’s about identifying a foundation that resonates with your family’s values and aspirations. The investment in this early step opens the door to the structured, community-oriented education provided by schools like St. Mary’s, and sets a trajectory toward the academic excellence found at Lutheran High Northeast and Columbus Scotus. Taking the time to connect with these programs now can provide your child with not just a great start, but a clear and promising educational path right here in our northeast Nebraska community.