The Best Private Schools in Murray, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Murray. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Cecilia Cathedral School
Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools
St. Cecilia Cathedral School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the greater Omaha area, including communities like Murray. Founded in 1919, the school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. The school features modern STEM labs, extensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, St. Cecilia provides personalized attention and has consistently high academic achievement scores. The school's beautiful campus and historic cathedral setting create an inspiring learning environment.
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Brownell-Talbot College Preparatory School
Independent
Brownell-Talbot is Nebraska's oldest independent college preparatory school, serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located in Omaha, the school draws students from surrounding communities including Murray. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 18 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Brownell-Talbot provides individualized attention and has a 100% college acceptance rate. The 25-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes.
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Mount Michael Benedictine School
Benedictine
Mount Michael Benedictine School is a Catholic college preparatory school for young men in grades 9-12, located in Elkhorn and serving students from Murray and surrounding areas. The school offers both day and boarding options and is known for its rigorous academic program with strong emphasis on STEM education. Mount Michael features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a values-based education rooted in Benedictine tradition. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and offers numerous Advanced Placement courses. The 160-acre campus provides extensive facilities including modern science labs, athletic fields, and residential facilities for boarding students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Murray, Nebraska
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Murray, Nebraska?
While Murray itself is a small village, families in the area typically look to private schools in the broader Omaha metropolitan region. The most prominent and accessible options include Brownell-Talbot College Preparatory School (PreK-12) in Omaha, St. Cecilia Cathedral School (PreK-8) in Omaha, and Mount Michael Benedictine School (9-12, all-boys boarding/day) in Elkhorn. These schools are within a reasonable commuting distance from Murray. It's important for Murray parents to consider the daily commute, as there are no major private school campuses within the village limits itself.
How does tuition at top private schools near Murray, NE, compare, and are there Nebraska-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Brownell-Talbot's upper school tuition is approximately $20,000, St. Cecilia's is around $7,500 for parishioners, and Mount Michael's day student tuition is roughly $18,000. Nebraska offers the Opportunity Scholarships Act, a tax-credit scholarship program that provides financial assistance to eligible families choosing private schools. Additionally, most schools have their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarship programs. Parents in Murray should investigate both school-based aid and state-sponsored options to make these schools more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving the Murray area offer?
The schools near Murray provide distinct specializations. Brownell-Talbot boasts a robust college-prep curriculum with extensive AP offerings and a global studies diploma. Mount Michael Benedictine School is renowned for its rigorous STEM-focused programs, engineering courses, and a unique monastic environment that emphasizes leadership and ethics. St. Cecilia Cathedral School offers a strong faith-based foundation with dedicated arts and music programs integrated into its curriculum. For Murray families, these specialized environments mean choosing based on a child's specific interests in STEM, liberal arts, or a particular faith tradition, even if it requires a commute.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Omaha area that Murray residents apply to?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Brownell-Talbot and Mount Michael, the application cycle for the following academic year typically opens in August or September, with priority deadlines in January or February. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often requires a student interview and entrance exam (such as the HSPT or ISEE). For Murray families, planning for visits and testing dates is crucial due to the travel involved. It is strongly advised to initiate inquiries 12-18 months before the desired enrollment date, especially for sought-after grades.
For a family in Murray, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school district (Conestoga Public Schools) to the private schools in the Omaha area?
The primary considerations are educational approach, cost, and commute. Conestoga Public Schools offer a no-tuition, community-based education with standard extracurriculars. The private options provide alternative educational philosophies (e.g., Benedictine, independent college-prep, parish-based), often with smaller class sizes, specialized academic tracks, and distinct religious or value-based instruction. The trade-off is significant annual tuition and a daily commute of 30-45 minutes to Omaha/Elkhorn. Murray parents must weigh the value of a specific private school environment against the convenience and cost-savings of their local public system, which is well-regarded in its own right.
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