The Best Private Schools in Waterloo, Nebraska
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Waterloo. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Notre Dame Academy
Archdiocese of Omaha
Notre Dame Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving the greater Omaha area, including Waterloo. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with advanced placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Notre Dame provides personalized attention and strong college counseling. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development and community service alongside academic excellence.
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St. Patrick's Catholic School
Archdiocese of Omaha
St. Patrick's Catholic School serves families in the Waterloo area with a comprehensive PreK-8 education program. The school features a strong academic foundation with integrated technology, dedicated reading and math programs, and specialized instruction in music, art, and physical education. With a focus on faith formation and character development, St. Patrick's maintains small class sizes and individualized attention. The school community is known for its family atmosphere and strong parent involvement, with many families commuting from Waterloo for the quality Catholic education.
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St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
Archdiocese of Omaha
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School provides excellent private education serving the Waterloo and western Omaha regions. The school offers a comprehensive PreK-8 program with strong emphasis on core academic subjects, foreign language instruction beginning in elementary grades, and comprehensive fine arts programs. The campus features modern classrooms, technology labs, and extensive athletic facilities. With a reputation for academic excellence and strong community values, St. Vincent de Paul maintains high parent satisfaction through dedicated faculty and a well-rounded educational approach that prepares students for success in high school and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Waterloo, Nebraska
What are the private school options for K-12 education in Waterloo, Nebraska?
Waterloo, NE, is served by three primary private, faith-based schools, all with a Catholic affiliation. Notre Dame Academy offers a preschool through 12th-grade education, making it the only option in the area for a continuous private education from early childhood through high school graduation. St. Patrick's Catholic School and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School typically serve preschool through 8th-grade students. This means families seeking a private high school in Waterloo itself have one option, while those looking for elementary/middle school have three. Many families also consider private schools in nearby Omaha or Fremont for additional high school choices.
How does tuition at Waterloo's private schools compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Nebraska?
Tuition varies by school and grade level but is generally more affordable than in major metropolitan areas. For the 2024-2025 school year, elementary tuition at these schools typically ranges from $3,500 to $5,000 per student, with discounts for multiple children. Notre Dame Academy's high school tuition is higher, often between $8,000 and $10,000. All three schools offer parish subsidies for active members, multi-child discounts, and need-based financial aid. A key Nebraska-specific resource is the **Nebraska Opportunity Grant** and tax-advantaged **Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) 529 plan**. Additionally, Nebraska does not have a private school voucher or tax-credit scholarship program statewide, so most aid comes directly from the schools and diocesan funds.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Waterloo, Nebraska, offer?
Given their smaller size, Waterloo's private schools focus on core academic rigor within a values-based environment, but each has distinctive features. Notre Dame Academy, as a PK-12 institution, offers a comprehensive college-prep curriculum, including dual-credit courses through partnerships with local colleges, and a wider range of athletics and activities (like speech and drama). St. Patrick's and St. Vincent de Paul emphasize strong foundational literacy and math programs, often with specialized STEM or faith-formation initiatives. A notable local advantage is the connection to the Omaha Archdiocese's network, which can provide shared resources and events. Their small class sizes (often 15-20 students) allow for highly individualized attention, which is a hallmark of the Waterloo private school experience.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools in Waterloo, NE?
The process is generally straightforward but requires early attention. Most schools in Waterloo begin accepting applications for the following school year in **January or February**, with priority deadlines often in March. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, a pastor's reference (for Catholic schools), and a registration fee. Many schools host open houses in the fall and winter. Importantly, because these are community-oriented schools with limited seats, especially in popular grades, applying by the priority deadline is crucial. Some grades may have waitlists. Unlike large urban private schools, standardized entrance exams are less common for the elementary levels at St. Patrick's and St. Vincent de Paul, but Notre Dame Academy may require placement testing for incoming high school students.
For a family in Waterloo, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school (Douglas County West Community Schools) and a private school?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, cost, and community. The public **Douglas County West (DC West)** system is highly regarded, offering a comprehensive K-12 program with diverse extracurriculars, funded by property taxes. The private schools in Waterloo offer a specific faith-based education, integrating religious teachings throughout the curriculum, with typically smaller class sizes. Practically, private school requires paying tuition and may involve a longer commute if you are outside a school's parish boundaries, whereas public school transportation is provided. For high school, DC West Falcons and Notre Dame Academy Raiders are rivals in local sports, representing a choice between a larger public school community and a smaller, tight-knit private one. Many families value the continuity of a PK-12 environment at Notre Dame Academy versus transitioning between DC West's separate elementary, middle, and high school buildings.