The Best Private Schools in Harrisburg, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Harrisburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
Independent
Brownell Talbot is Nebraska's oldest independent college preparatory school, serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. The school offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes, advanced placement courses, and comprehensive college counseling. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and community service alongside academic excellence, with a diverse student body and extensive extracurricular opportunities including competitive athletics, robotics, and fine arts programs.
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Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Duchesne Academy is a Catholic, independent college preparatory school for young women from preschool through grade 12. As part of the international Network of Sacred Heart Schools, it offers a comprehensive education focused on faith, intellectual values, social awareness, and personal growth. The curriculum includes advanced placement courses, robust STEM programs, and extensive arts education. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, athletic facilities, and dedicated spaces for performing and visual arts. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes leadership development and community service.
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Creighton Preparatory School
Jesuit Schools Network
Creighton Prep is an all-boys Jesuit college preparatory high school serving the Omaha metropolitan area, including Harrisburg. The school offers a rigorous academic program grounded in the Jesuit educational tradition, emphasizing intellectual excellence, faith formation, and service to others. Students benefit from extensive advanced placement offerings, competitive athletic programs, and diverse extracurricular activities. The 35-acre campus features modern academic facilities, multiple athletic fields, a performing arts center, and dedicated spaces for robotics and technology. The school maintains a strong college placement record and emphasizes character development through its service-learning programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Harrisburg, Nebraska
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Harrisburg, Nebraska?
While Harrisburg itself is a small village, families in the area typically look to nearby Omaha for private school options. The top schools within a reasonable commute include Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School (PreK-12, independent), Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (all-girls, PreK-12, Catholic), and Creighton Preparatory School (all-boys, 9-12, Jesuit). There are no private schools physically located within Harrisburg, NE, so transportation or relocation considerations are important for parents exploring these excellent college-preparatory institutions in the greater Omaha metro area.
How does Nebraska's Tax Credit Scholarship Program affect tuition for private schools like those near Harrisburg?
Nebraska's Opportunity Scholarships Act provides significant financial assistance. This program offers tax credits to donors who contribute to nonprofit scholarship-granting organizations, which in turn provide need-based scholarships for students to attend private schools. Families in Harrisburg applying to schools like Brownell Talbot, Duchesne, or Creighton Prep should inquire directly about applying for these state-sponsored scholarships, as they can substantially reduce the out-of-pocket tuition cost, making these Omaha-based schools more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools near Harrisburg, NE, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The Omaha-area private schools accessible to Harrisburg families offer distinct specializations. Creighton Prep is renowned for its rigorous Jesuit curriculum and extensive service-learning requirements. Duchesne Academy provides a unique all-girls, Sacred Heart network education with a global perspective. Brownell Talbot offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate (IB) program from Primary Years through the Diploma, which is rare in Nebraska. These schools also typically have smaller class sizes, more advanced placement offerings, and robust arts and athletics programs compared to the smaller public school districts serving Harrisburg.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for the leading private schools in the Omaha area for a family from Harrisburg?
The process is highly competitive and begins early. For schools like Brownell Talbot, Duchesne, and Creighton Prep, applications for the following academic year often open in August or September, with priority deadlines between December and February. The process includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing (like the ISEE), and a family interview. Given the commute from Harrisburg, it's crucial to attend open houses in the fall, often held on weekends, to assess the logistics. Rolling admissions may be available after priority dates, but spaces fill quickly.
For a family in Harrisburg, what are the key logistical considerations when choosing a private school in Omaha versus the local public school system?
The primary considerations are commute, community, and cost. The drive from Harrisburg to these Omaha schools can be 30-60 minutes each way, requiring a major commitment to carpools or transportation services. Your child's social and extracurricular circle will be based in Omaha, not locally in Harrisburg. Financially, besides tuition, you must factor in transportation costs, activity fees, and uniform expenses. The benefit is access to specialized academic programs, religious education (if desired), and a potentially wider range of advanced courses and extracurricular activities than available in the smaller, rural public school districts surrounding Harrisburg.