The Best Private Schools in Virginia, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Virginia. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Brownell-Talbot College Preparatory School
Independent
Brownell-Talbot is Nebraska's only independent, college preparatory school serving students from preschool through grade 12. Located in Omaha, approximately 90 miles from Virginia, it serves families throughout eastern Nebraska. The school features small class sizes, rigorous academic programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. With a 100% college acceptance rate, the school emphasizes character development and leadership. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes.
Programs:
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Duchesne Academy is a Catholic, independent college preparatory school for girls in grades 5-12, located in Omaha. As part of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, it offers a globally-connected education with emphasis on faith, intellectual values, and social awareness. The school features advanced STEM programs, competitive athletics, and comprehensive arts education. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Duchesne provides personalized attention and strong college counseling.
Programs:
St. Margaret Mary School
Archdiocese of Omaha
St. Margaret Mary School serves students from preschool through 8th grade with a comprehensive Catholic education. Located in Omaha, the school offers a strong academic foundation with integrated technology, dedicated faculty, and extensive extracurricular programs. The curriculum emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, gymnasium, and outdoor play areas. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community partnerships.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Virginia, Nebraska
What are the primary private school options available in Virginia, Nebraska, and what distinguishes them?
Virginia, Nebraska, offers a few highly-regarded private schools, each with a distinct identity. **Brownell-Talbot College Preparatory School** is the only independent, college preparatory, PS-12 school in Nebraska, known for its rigorous academics and comprehensive arts and athletics. **Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart** is an all-girls, Catholic school serving grades PK-12, part of a global network emphasizing faith, intellect, and social action. **St. Margaret Mary School** is a Catholic parish school offering a faith-based education from preschool through 8th grade, providing a strong foundational curriculum before students transition to area high schools. This range allows parents to choose based on educational philosophy, single-gender vs. co-ed environments, and grade-level needs.
How does tuition at private schools in Virginia, NE, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition at Virginia's top private schools is competitive within the Omaha metro area and Nebraska. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $6,000-$8,000 for elementary grades at parish schools like St. Margaret Mary to over $20,000 for upper grades at premier college-prep schools like Brownell-Talbot. This is generally above the Nebraska private school average due to the schools' reputations and resources. Crucially, all these schools offer need-based financial aid, and some have merit scholarship programs. Additionally, Nebraska's **Opportunity Scholarships Act** provides tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, increasing financial assistance available to qualifying families, making these schools more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Virginia area of Omaha?
Private schools in Virginia leverage their proximity to Omaha's cultural resources to offer distinctive programs. Brownell-Talbot features a renowned **Omaha Theater Company for Young People** partnership and extensive Advanced Placement (AP) and honors tracks. Duchesne Academy offers the **Sacred Heart Network's Global Exchange** program and a strong STEM curriculum with a focus on women in science. St. Margaret Mary provides a strong core curriculum with integrated Catholic faith teachings and typically has smaller class sizes that allow for individualized attention. Many of these schools also utilize Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Joslyn Art Museum, and other institutions for enriched, experiential learning not always available in larger public districts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Virginia, Nebraska?
The enrollment process in Virginia is structured and often begins early. Most schools, like Brownell-Talbot and Duchesne, have **application deadlines in January or February** for the following fall, with decisions communicated in March. Key steps include: 1) Fall/Winter open houses and tours, 2) Submission of an application with fees, 3) Student assessments or entrance exams (for certain grades), 4) School records and teacher recommendations, and 5) family interviews. **Sibling and legacy applicants often receive priority.** For parish schools like St. Margaret Mary, active parishioner status can influence admission and tuition rates. It's highly advised to start the process 12-18 months before desired enrollment.
For families in Virginia, Nebraska, what are the key considerations when comparing local private schools to the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) system?
The decision often hinges on educational approach, environment, and specific family values. **Private schools in Virginia** offer smaller, consistently sized classes (often 15-20 students), specialized religious or college-prep missions, and a high degree of community cohesion. The Omaha Public Schools system provides a much larger, more diverse student population, extensive specialized programs (like magnet schools), and no tuition. Key considerations include: the importance of a faith-based education, the desire for a specific pedagogical approach (e.g., project-based learning at Brownell-Talbot), the value of a single-gender environment (Duchesne), and transportation—OPS provides it, while private schools often require carpooling or paid bus services from the wider Omaha area.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Autism Support: Top Private Schools in Virginia and Nebraska
For parents in Virginia, Nebraska, searching for "private schools for autism near me" represents a deeply personal journey to find an educational environment where your child can truly thrive. This quest in our tight-knit community is about more than just academics; it's about finding a place that understands individual learning differences, fosters social growth, and provides the structured support essential for students on the spectrum. While Virginia itself is a smaller city within the greater Omaha metro area, families here benefit from proximity to specialized resources while valuing the close community feel that can be so comforting.
The landscape of private education in our region offers several pathways, though it's important to understand the distinctions. Many excellent local private schools, such as Brownell-Talbot College Preparatory School and Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, are traditional college-preparatory institutions. They often provide strong learning support services and smaller class sizes, which can be beneficial for some students with mild learning differences. However, they are typically not specialized autism programs. Your exploration should involve candid conversations with admissions directors about their experience, staff training, and the specific level of support they can offer to meet your child's unique needs. St. Margaret Mary School, with its faith-based environment, exemplifies another option where a predictable routine and a values-focused community can provide stability for some children.
Your search for "private schools for autism near me" in the Virginia area will likely extend into Omaha, where more specialized programs exist. This might include schools dedicated exclusively to serving students with autism spectrum disorders or therapeutic day schools with integrated clinical support. The key is to identify the right fit: does your child need a fully immersive, autism-specific curriculum with a high staff-to-student ratio and embedded therapies, or would they succeed in a mainstream private setting with robust, individualized accommodations? Visiting potential schools is non-negotiable. Observe the sensory environment, ask about their communication strategies, and inquire how they handle moments of dysregulation. Look for evidence of a truly inclusive culture, not just a stated policy.
Remember, Nebraska has resources to assist you. The Nebraska Department of Education can provide information on approved private special education programs, and organizations like Autism Action Partnership in Omaha offer guidance and networking opportunities. Connecting with other local parents through support groups can yield invaluable, firsthand insights into school cultures and program effectiveness. Finding the right private school for your child with autism is a significant decision, but you are not alone in this process. By combining your deep knowledge of your child with a clear understanding of the programs available in and around Virginia, you can find a supportive educational community that nurtures their strengths, addresses their challenges, and helps them build a confident path forward. The perfect fit is out there, blending the specialized support you seek with the compassionate community we value here in Nebraska.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities