The Best Private Schools in Exeter, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Exeter. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Joseph Catholic School
Diocese of Lincoln Catholic Schools
St. Joseph Catholic School in nearby York serves students from Exeter and surrounding communities with a comprehensive PreK-8 education program. The school emphasizes faith-based education combined with strong academic fundamentals. Facilities include modern classrooms, a dedicated STEM lab, music and art rooms, and gymnasium. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, ensuring personalized attention. Extracurricular offerings include basketball, volleyball, choir, and various academic competitions. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and strong community feel.
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Parkview Christian School
Parkview Christian School System
Parkview Christian School in Lincoln serves families from Exeter and the broader region with a comprehensive Christian education program from preschool through high school. The school features a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with advanced placement options, integrated technology throughout classrooms, and dedicated science labs. Campus facilities include modern athletic complexes, performing arts spaces, and specialized learning centers. The school maintains accreditation through AdvancED and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence. Parent reviews highlight strong teacher-student relationships and comprehensive college counseling.
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Hastings Catholic Schools
Diocese of Grand Island Catholic Schools
Hastings Catholic Schools provides a comprehensive PreK-12 education serving students from Exeter and surrounding communities. The system includes St. Michael's Elementary and St. Cecilia High School, offering continuous Catholic education with a strong liberal arts foundation. The high school features advanced placement courses, dual credit options with local colleges, and comprehensive STEM programs. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, athletic complex with turf field, and modern technology integration throughout. The school emphasizes service learning and character development while maintaining strong academic outcomes with 98% college acceptance rate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Exeter, Nebraska
What are the specific private school options available for families residing in or near Exeter, Nebraska?
Exeter itself is home to St. Joseph Catholic School, which serves students from Pre-K through 6th grade. For grades 7-12, families typically look to nearby communities. A primary option is Parkview Christian School in Hastings (about 15 miles away), which offers a Pre-K-12 program. Additionally, the Hastings Catholic Schools system (St. Cecilia for elementary/middle and St. Cecilia High School) is a major K-12 institution in the region, serving many families from Exeter and surrounding Fillmore County. These schools represent the core of faith-based private education accessible to Exeter residents.
How does tuition at private schools serving Exeter, NE, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Nebraska?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. St. Joseph Catholic School in Exeter typically has a lower parish-subsidized rate for active parishioners. Schools in Hastings, like Parkview Christian and Hastings Catholic, have higher tuition structures, often ranging from several thousand to over $5,000 per year for non-parishioners. A significant financial consideration for Nebraska families is the Opportunity Scholarships Act, which provides state tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. This can fund scholarships for students to attend private schools, making them more accessible. All schools also offer their own need-based financial aid and multi-child discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools accessible to Exeter students offer?
Schools in this area often emphasize small class sizes and faith integration. St. Joseph Catholic School provides a foundational elementary program with a strong community feel. Parkview Christian School offers a college-preparatory curriculum and a notable fine arts program. Hastings Catholic Schools feature a robust tradition in athletics and academic competitions, along with dedicated STEM initiatives and college dual-credit courses through local colleges like Hastings College. For Exeter families, these programs provide alternatives to the public school curriculum, often with a focus on character development and specific religious values.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like St. Joseph in Exeter or the schools in Hastings?
For St. Joseph Catholic School in Exeter, the process often begins early in the calendar year (January-February) for the following fall, with priority given to parish members and siblings. The Hastings schools (Parkview Christian and Hastings Catholic) generally have open enrollment periods in the winter and spring. These processes typically involve submitting an application, academic records, a family interview, and often a placement assessment. It's crucial to contact the schools directly, as spaces, especially in lower grades, can be limited. Many families in Exeter begin this process a full year in advance to secure placement and explore financial aid options.
How do the private school options for Exeter residents compare to the local public school, Exeter-Milligan Public Schools?
Exeter-Milligan Public Schools is a consolidated K-12 district known for strong academics and extracurriculars, particularly in athletics. The primary differences for private options involve educational approach and environment. Private schools like St. Joseph, Parkview, and Hastings Catholic offer a religious education integrated into the daily curriculum, which is not available in the public system. Class sizes in the private schools are often smaller. The trade-off for Exeter families often involves logistics and cost: attending the local public school is free and convenient, while choosing a private school may mean commuting to Hastings and managing tuition, albeit with potential for state scholarship aid and a specific faith-based community.