The Best Private Schools in Union, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Union. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Margaret Mary School
Archdiocese of Omaha
St. Margaret Mary School provides a faith-based education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong academic foundation. The school features modern technology integration, dedicated STEM labs, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. Serving families throughout the Omaha area including Union, the school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes community service and spiritual development alongside academic excellence.
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Brownell-Talbot College Preparatory School
Independent
Brownell-Talbot is Nebraska's oldest independent college preparatory school, serving students from preschool through grade 12. The school features small class sizes with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, extensive Advanced Placement offerings, and comprehensive arts and athletics programs. Located approximately 30 minutes from Union, the school attracts families from throughout the greater Omaha metropolitan area with its rigorous academic program and emphasis on character development.
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St. Cecilia Cathedral School
Archdiocese of Omaha
St. Cecilia Cathedral School offers a classical Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade, focusing on developing critical thinking skills and moral character. The school features a unique Spanish immersion program, comprehensive technology integration including 1:1 device program, and extensive extracurricular opportunities in arts and athletics. Located in central Omaha, the school serves families from Union and surrounding communities with its rigorous academic program and strong community environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Union, Nebraska
What are the primary private school options available for families in or near Union, Nebraska?
While Union itself is a smaller community, families in the area have access to several highly-regarded private schools in the broader Omaha metro region. The most prominent include Brownell-Talbot College Preparatory School in Omaha (a PreK-12 independent school), St. Margaret Mary School in Omaha (a Catholic PreK-8 school), and St. Cecilia Cathedral School in Omaha (a Catholic PreK-8 school). For Union residents, these schools involve a commute but offer robust private education. It's also worth investigating if any smaller parochial or independent schools operate in nearby Sarpy County towns.
How does tuition at Omaha-area private schools compare, and are there Nebraska-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-25 school year, Brownell-Talbot's tuition ranges approximately from $15,000 to $20,000+. Omaha Archdiocesan schools like St. Margaret Mary and St. Cecilia typically have lower tuition, often ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 for parishioners, with higher rates for non-parishioners. Nebraska offers the **Opportunity Scholarships Act**, which provides tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, increasing financial aid availability for qualifying families. Additionally, many schools offer need-based aid and parish subsidies for Catholic schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Union, NE, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Schools in the Omaha area provide distinct programs. Brownell-Talbot, as Nebraska's only independent PreK-12 school, offers a rigorous college-prep curriculum, advanced placement courses, and signature programs like global studies and entrepreneurship. The Catholic schools (St. Margaret Mary, St. Cecilia) integrate faith-based education with strong academics and often have dedicated music, art, and Spanish programs starting in elementary grades. A key differentiator for Union families is access to these specialized environments and smaller class sizes compared to larger public school districts in the metro.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving the Union, Nebraska, community?
For the top Omaha schools, planning early is crucial. The admission process often begins a full year in advance, with open houses in the fall (September-November). Application deadlines for the following academic year are typically in January or February. The process usually includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and an entrance assessment or shadow day. For Catholic schools, priority is often given to active parishioners and siblings of current students. Union families should contact schools directly, as some may have waiting lists for certain grades, and transportation logistics from Sarpy County should be discussed.
As a Union resident, what are the key considerations for choosing between a local public school and a private school in Omaha?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. **Commute:** Attending an Omaha private school means a daily drive of 20-40+ minutes, which impacts family schedules and extracurricular participation. **Community vs. Program:** Union's public schools offer a close-knit, local community, while private schools offer a different peer group and specialized identity (e.g., college-prep, faith-based). **Cost:** Weighing the significant financial investment of private tuition against the no-tuition public option is paramount. **Educational Approach:** Consider if you seek the specific religious education or independent school philosophy not available in the public system. Many families tour both their local public school and several private options to compare environments directly.
Private Education Insights
Find the Best Secular Private Schools Near Union, Nebraska: A Parent's Guide
For families in Union, Nebraska, beginning the search for the right educational environment often starts with a simple online query for "secular private schools near me." This search reflects a desire for a private education that aligns with specific academic and philosophical values, distinct from religiously affiliated institutions. While Union itself is a smaller community, the broader Omaha metropolitan area offers a rich tapestry of private schooling options, presenting both opportunity and the need for careful navigation. Understanding the local landscape is the first step for parents seeking a non-sectarian, college-preparatory experience for their children.
The most prominent name that emerges in this category is Brownell-Talbot College Preparatory School, located in nearby Omaha. As Nebraska’s only independent, non-sectarian college preparatory school, it stands out for families specifically seeking a secular environment grounded in rigorous academics. Brownell-Talbot offers a continuous curriculum from early childhood through grade twelve, emphasizing critical thinking, leadership, and a global perspective. For Union parents, the commute is a consideration, but many find the dedicated focus on a secular, yet values-driven education—centered on integrity, respect, and responsibility—to be a compelling reason to make the drive. The school’s strong community and extensive extracurricular offerings often mirror the close-knit feel families appreciate in Union, but within an academically accelerated framework.
It is important for parents to recognize that many excellent private schools in the area, including St. Margaret Mary School and St. Cecilia Cathedral School, have religious affiliations as part of their foundational mission. These schools provide outstanding education and often welcome families of all faiths, but their curricula and community life are integrally woven with Catholic teachings. Therefore, your search for "secular private schools near me" helps clarify a fundamental preference. It directs you toward institutions where the academic and ethical education is not derived from a specific religious doctrine, which can be a priority for families seeking a different approach to character development or for those with diverse spiritual backgrounds.
The decision ultimately extends beyond the label of secular or religious. It involves visiting schools, feeling the culture, and assessing the logistical reality of the daily commute from Union to Omaha. Consider the alignment of a school’s pedagogy with your child’s learning style. Does a project-based approach or a traditional liberal arts model suit them best? How important are arts integration or competitive athletics? Engaging with admissions officers at schools like Brownell-Talbot to ask these questions is crucial. Furthermore, connecting with other families from your area who have made similar choices can provide invaluable, real-world insights into the daily rhythm and long-term benefits.
Your search for a secular private school near Union is a proactive journey toward finding an environment where your child’s intellectual curiosity and personal identity can flourish on their own terms. By defining this priority early, you can focus your research on the institutions that best match your family’s educational philosophy, ensuring that the investment of time and resources supports a holistic and personally relevant path to success. The ideal school is out there, offering a unique community and challenging curriculum, waiting to be discovered just a short drive from home.