The Best Private Schools in Auburn, New Hampshire
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Auburn. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Derryfield School
Independent School
The Derryfield School is a highly regarded independent college preparatory school serving students from Auburn and surrounding communities. With a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the school offers rigorous academics including 18 Advanced Placement courses. The 84-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. Derryfield emphasizes character development and community engagement alongside academic excellence, with graduates consistently attending top-tier colleges and universities.
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Villa Augustina School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester
Villa Augustina School provides a comprehensive Catholic education serving families from Auburn and the Greater Manchester area. The school offers a strong academic foundation with integrated technology and Spanish language instruction beginning in preschool. Their STEM program includes robotics and coding, while maintaining small class sizes for personalized attention. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities, with a focus on developing students' spiritual, academic, and social growth.
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St. Joseph Regional Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School serves students from Auburn and throughout Southern New Hampshire with a comprehensive faith-based education. The school offers a challenging academic curriculum with advanced mathematics and science programs, complemented by strong fine arts and athletics. Facilities include technology-enhanced classrooms, science laboratories, and a performing arts center. The school maintains a strong sense of community and emphasizes service learning, with graduates well-prepared for competitive high school programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Auburn, New Hampshire
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Auburn, New Hampshire, and are they located directly in town?
While Auburn itself is a smaller town, families have access to several well-regarded private schools in the surrounding Southern New Hampshire region. The most prominent options include The Derryfield School in Manchester (a non-sectarian, college-preparatory day school for grades 6-12), Villa Augustina School in Goffstown (a private Catholic school serving Pre-K through 8th grade), and St. Joseph Regional Catholic School in Manchester (serving Pre-K through grade 8). Auburn residents typically commute to these schools, which are within a 20-30 minute drive. There are very few, if any, private school campuses physically located within Auburn's town limits.
How does the tuition for private schools near Auburn, NH, compare, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in the Auburn area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range from approximately $8,000-$10,000 per year at the elementary/middle Catholic schools (like St. Joseph or Villa Augustina) to over $40,000 for upper grades at The Derryfield School. A key New Hampshire-specific financial consideration is the "Education Tax Credit" program. This allows businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations, which then provide need-based scholarships to eligible students attending private schools. Additionally, all major schools offer their own need-based financial aid, and some participate in the statewide "Children's Scholarship Fund New Hampshire."
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Auburn, NH, region offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Schools in this region offer distinct programs that cater to varied interests. The Derryfield School is known for its rigorous college-prep curriculum, advanced STEM offerings, and exceptional arts and athletics. Villa Augustina School provides a faith-based education with a strong emphasis on community service and Spanish language instruction starting in Pre-K. St. Joseph Regional Catholic School offers a classical curriculum rooted in Catholic tradition, with a focus on virtues and character development. A common differentiator from Auburn's public schools is smaller class sizes, often with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1 or lower, allowing for highly personalized attention. Many also have specialized facilities, like Derryfield's innovation labs or Villa Augustina's campus with wooded trails.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for applying to private schools like Derryfield or Villa Augustina as an Auburn resident?
The process is competitive and requires early planning. For schools like The Derryfield School, the application timeline for the following fall typically begins in the summer or early fall, with deadlines for financial aid applications in January and general application deadlines in February. The process usually includes submitting an application, transcripts, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores (like the SSAT or ISEE), and a family interview. For the K-8 Catholic schools (Villa Augustina, St. Joseph), timelines may be slightly more flexible but still benefit from applying by the winter prior. As an Auburn resident, it's crucial to factor in transportation logistics during the admissions process, as none provide district-wide busing.
For an Auburn family considering the choice, what are the practical and philosophical differences between sending a child to a local public school versus a private school in the Manchester/Goffstown area?
The decision involves several Auburn-specific considerations. Practically, Auburn public schools (part of SAU 15) involve no tuition and provide neighborhood busing, while private options require tuition, a daily commute, and arranging transportation. Philosophically, Auburn's public schools offer a community-centered, secular education aligned with state standards. Private schools offer alternative educational philosophies (college-prep, faith-based) with often more curricular flexibility and a defined community ethos. A key factor for Auburn parents is class size: Auburn Memorial School's average class size is larger than the intimate settings of local private schools. Additionally, private schools may offer more extensive world language programs, specialized arts, or competitive athletics at an earlier age than what is available in the Auburn public system.
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