The Best Private Schools in Papillion, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Papillion. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Wenceslaus Catholic School
Archdiocese of Omaha
St. Wenceslaus Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade and is located just north of Papillion in Omaha. The school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations, including dedicated STEM programs and comprehensive fine arts offerings. The campus features modern classrooms, technology labs, a full-size gymnasium, and extensive playground facilities. Parent involvement is highly encouraged, and the school community is known for its welcoming environment and strong sense of community.
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Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
Independent Private School
Brownell Talbot is Nebraska's oldest independent college preparatory school, serving students from preschool through grade 12. Located just 15 minutes from Papillion in Omaha, the school offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and comprehensive college counseling. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities in arts, athletics, and community service.
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St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School
Archdiocese of Omaha
St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade and is conveniently located in southwest Omaha, serving the Papillion community. The school offers a comprehensive academic program rooted in Catholic values, with strong emphasis on technology integration across all grade levels. Features include dedicated science labs, computer labs, art and music rooms, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes and offers before and after-school care programs, making it popular with working families in the Papillion area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Papillion, Nebraska
What are the primary private school options available within Papillion, Nebraska, and what are their educational philosophies?
Papillion, Nebraska, is served by a few key private institutions, each with a distinct focus. St. Wenceslaus Catholic School (PreK-8) and St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School (PreK-8) provide faith-based, parish-centered education rooted in Catholic values. For a college-preparatory, independent school experience, Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School (PreK-12) is located just north in Omaha and is a common choice for Papillion families. It offers a rigorous academic curriculum with extensive arts, athletics, and advanced placement opportunities. While options within Papillion city limits are primarily Catholic elementary/middle schools, many families in the area also consider nearby Omaha private schools, making transportation an important local consideration.
How does tuition for Papillion-area private schools compare, and are there Nebraska-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, parish-supported Catholic schools like St. Wenceslaus and St. Stephen the Martyr typically have lower tuition rates, often ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 for parishioners, with higher rates for non-parishioners. Brownell Talbot's tuition is considerably higher, aligning with its independent school status, often exceeding $20,000 annually. A key Nebraska-specific financial resource is the **Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG)** and the **Scholarship Grant Program for Students in Nonpublic Schools**, which is a tax-credit scholarship program providing need-based aid to students attending private schools. Additionally, many schools offer their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Papillion area offer that leverage local resources?
Papillion-area private schools integrate local and regional resources into their programs. Brownell Talbot, with its Omaha proximity, has partnerships with institutions like the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) for science initiatives and the Joslyn Art Museum. St. Wenceslaus and St. Stephen the Martyr often emphasize community service projects tied to local Papillion and Sarpy County organizations. Furthermore, given Nebraska's strong agricultural and STEM focus, many schools enhance science curricula with partnerships or field trips to strategic air command & aerospace museums, wildlife parks, and local farms. Robotics teams and coding clubs are also common, competing in regional Nebraska competitions.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Papillion, and are there waitlists?
Enrollment timelines for Papillion private schools are crucial due to limited seats. For Catholic schools like St. Wenceslaus and St. Stephen the Martyr, priority enrollment for existing families and registered parishioners usually begins in January, with open enrollment for new families in February or March. Brownell Talbot's process often starts even earlier, with fall open houses and a January application deadline for the following academic year. Most schools require applications, student assessments or shadow days, and family interviews. Given Papillion's growing population and the limited number of private seats, waitlists are common, especially for popular entry grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 6th grade. Early inquiry is strongly recommended.
For families in Papillion, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school district (Papillion-La Vista) to private school options?
The Papillion-La Vista School District (PLSD) is highly regarded in Nebraska, which makes the decision nuanced. Key considerations include: **Class Size** (private schools often have smaller ratios), **Religious Education** (a primary driver for Catholic school families), **Curriculum Flexibility** (private schools like Brownell Talbot can offer specialized tracks), and **Cost** (PLSD is taxpayer-funded). Academically, PLSD offers robust advanced placement and extracurriculars. The decision often hinges on a family's desire for a specific value-based environment, a particular pedagogical approach, or a more intimate school community versus the comprehensive, no-tuition offerings of the large, high-performing public district. Transportation is another factor, as PLSD provides busing, while private schools may require carpooling.
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