The Best Private Schools in Plymouth, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Plymouth. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Isidore Elementary School
Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools
St. Isidore Elementary School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving students from Plymouth and surrounding communities. The school offers a comprehensive elementary education with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Features include small class sizes, individualized instruction, modern technology integration, and a robust extracurricular program including sports, music, and community service opportunities. The school maintains strong parent satisfaction ratings and serves as a feeder to Columbus Scotus High School.
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Columbus Scotus High School
Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools
Columbus Scotus High School is a premier Catholic secondary institution serving Plymouth and the greater Columbus area. With a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, the school offers rigorous college preparatory programs, advanced placement courses, and comprehensive extracurricular activities. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes faith-based education combined with strong community involvement and has consistently high college acceptance rates and student achievement outcomes.
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St. Bonaventure Elementary School
Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools
St. Bonaventure Elementary School provides exceptional private education for students from Plymouth and surrounding communities. The school offers a nurturing environment with strong academic foundations in core subjects complemented by religious education and moral development. Programs include comprehensive literacy and math instruction, science exploration, technology integration, and arts education. The school features dedicated faculty, modern classroom technology, and active parent involvement. Extracurricular opportunities include sports, music programs, and community service initiatives that enhance the educational experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Plymouth, Nebraska
What are the private school options specifically for families residing in Plymouth, Nebraska?
For families in Plymouth, NE, the primary private school options are Catholic parish schools associated with the Archdiocese of Omaha. The most directly relevant is **St. Isidore Elementary School** in Columbus, which serves the St. Isidore Parish that includes Plymouth. For middle and high school, students typically feed into **Columbus Scotus High School** (also in Columbus). **St. Bonaventure Elementary School** is another Columbus option. It's important to note that Plymouth itself does not host a private school campus; families commute to Columbus, approximately a 15-minute drive. Transportation is often a parent responsibility, though some carpool networks exist within the parish community.
How does tuition at private schools like St. Isidore or Scotus work for families in Plymouth, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for schools like St. Isidore Elementary and Columbus Scotus High School is set by the Archdiocese of Omaha and the local parish. Actively contributing members of supporting parishes (like St. Isidore) typically receive a significantly reduced parishioner rate. As a Plymouth resident belonging to St. Isidore Parish, you would likely qualify for this rate. Non-parishioners pay a higher tuition. Financial aid is available through the Archdiocesan Tuition Assistance Program and sometimes from individual school endowment funds. Nebraska also offers the **Opportunity Scholarships Act**, a tax-credit scholarship program that provides financial assistance to eligible families choosing private schools, which can be a crucial resource for Plymouth residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Plymouth, NE, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools serving Plymouth emphasize a faith-based education integrated into all subjects. **Columbus Scotus High School** offers a distinctive **Junior High House System** for grades 7-8 and a comprehensive **House System** for 9-12, fostering community and mentorship. Academically, Scotus provides a strong college-prep curriculum with numerous dual-credit courses through local colleges. In terms of extracurriculars, these schools often have a strong focus on **state-level speech and music competitions** (NSAA) and **Catholic League athletics**. For younger students, **St. Isidore Elementary** incorporates sacramental preparation directly into the school day, which is a unique aspect compared to public education in the Columbus/Plymouth area.
What is the enrollment process and timeline for a Plymouth child to attend St. Isidore Elementary or Columbus Scotus High School?
The enrollment process is parish-based and begins early in the calendar year. For **St. Isidore Elementary**, open enrollment for the following academic year typically opens in **January or February**. Priority is given to active parish families, siblings of current students, and then new families. You must contact the St. Isidore Parish office or school directly for registration packets. For **Columbus Scotus High School**, 8th-grade students from feeder schools like St. Isidore undergo a pre-registration process in the winter, with formal enrollment in the spring. It is highly recommended for Plymouth families to connect with the parish and school administration by the fall prior to the desired enrollment year to ensure all spiritual and financial requirements are understood.
For a family in rural Plymouth, what are the key community and logistical considerations when choosing a private school in Columbus over the local public school?
The key considerations are community, commute, and cost. **Community**: The private school choice connects your family to a tight-knit, faith-based network that extends from Plymouth to Columbus, which can be a major support system. **Commute**: You must plan for daily transportation to Columbus (approx. 10-15 miles). This impacts schedules, gas costs, and involvement in after-school activities. Unlike a Plymouth-based public school, spontaneous participation is harder. **Cost**: Even with parish rates and scholarships, there is a direct financial cost to weigh against the perceived benefits of smaller class sizes and religious education. Conversely, your local public school in the **Columbus Public Schools** or **Lakeview Community Schools** districts would provide no-cost transportation and potentially broader extracurricular offerings due to larger class sizes.