The Best Private Schools in Sumner, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Sumner. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Kearney Catholic High School
Kearney Catholic Schools
Kearney Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the central Nebraska region, including Sumner area families. Established in 1959, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and comprehensive extracurricular programs including competitive athletics, fine arts, and community service opportunities. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and consistently produces National Merit Scholars.
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St. James Catholic School
St. James Catholic Parish
St. James Catholic School provides exceptional private education for students from preschool through 8th grade, serving families throughout central Nebraska including the Sumner area. Founded in 1969, the school combines strong academic foundations with Catholic values and traditions. The curriculum emphasizes core subjects while integrating technology, Spanish language instruction, and fine arts. Facilities include modern classrooms, computer labs, library, and gymnasium. The school is known for its supportive community environment, experienced teachers, and comprehensive preparation for high school. Extracurricular activities include sports, music programs, and academic competitions.
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Faith Christian School
Independent Christian School
Faith Christian School is a respected private Christian institution serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade, drawing families from Sumner and surrounding communities. Established in 1984, the school provides a comprehensive education grounded in biblical principles while maintaining high academic standards. The curriculum includes advanced placement courses, dual credit opportunities, and robust STEM programs. Campus facilities feature science laboratories, technology resources, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes character development, leadership training, and community service alongside academic achievement, with graduates consistently accepted to competitive colleges and universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Sumner, Nebraska
What are the realistic private school options for families residing in Sumner, Nebraska, given that most are located in nearby cities?
While Sumner itself is a small village, families have several well-regarded private school options within a reasonable commuting distance. The most prominent are Kearney Catholic High School in Kearney (approx. 30 miles away), St. James Catholic School in Kearney, and Faith Christian School, also in Kearney. For younger students, St. James offers a K-6 program. This means Sumner families typically plan for transportation to Kearney, which is the educational hub for the region. Exploring carpool options with other local families is a common practice.
How does tuition at private schools near Sumner, NE, compare, and are there any Nebraska-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Kearney Catholic High School tuition is approximately $7,500-$8,500, while St. James Catholic School (K-6) is around $4,000-$5,000. Faith Christian School's tuition is generally competitive within this range. Nebraska offers the **Tax Credit Scholarship Program**, which provides scholarships to eligible students from donations made by individuals and businesses who then receive a state tax credit. This can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, all these schools offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for active church members at Catholic institutions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Sumner students offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Schools like Kearney Catholic High School offer a distinctive college-prep curriculum infused with Catholic values, and often have strong programs in theology, fine arts, and athletics that compete at the state level. Faith Christian School provides an education from a Protestant Christian perspective with an emphasis on biblical integration across all subjects. A key differentiator is smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention compared to larger regional public schools. Furthermore, these schools often have strong community service requirements, fostering a specific character and leadership development component that is central to their missions.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Kearney Catholic that serve Sumner-area families?
The enrollment process for these schools usually begins in January or February for the following fall. For Kearney Catholic High School, there are often open houses and shadowing opportunities for prospective students in the winter. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and paying a registration fee. Importantly, due to their regional draw, some grades (especially kindergarten and freshman year) can fill up, so early inquiry is advised. St. James and Faith Christian have similar timelines. Siblings of current students and active parishioners often receive priority enrollment.
For a family in Sumner, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school in Kearney?
The decision hinges on several factors specific to living in a rural community like Sumner. The primary consideration is **commute and transportation**, as attending a Kearney private school requires daily travel. Academically, it involves choosing between the local, close-knit public school environment and the specialized, faith-based education with potentially more academic resources and a wider extracurricular slate in Kearney. Financially, families must weigh tuition costs against the free public option, though financial aid may help. Finally, it's a values-based choice: whether the family seeks the specific religious formation and community offered by the private schools versus the community-centered public school in Sumner itself.