The Best Private Schools in Buena, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Buena. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Augustine Preparatory School
Augustinian Order
St. Augustine Prep is a highly-regarded all-boys Catholic college preparatory school located approximately 15 miles from Buena. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The Augustinian educational philosophy emphasizes community, truth, and love. The school is known for its strong STEM programs, competitive athletics, and comprehensive extracurricular offerings.
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Holy Spirit High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
Holy Spirit High School is a co-educational Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Buena and surrounding communities. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with 16 Advanced Placement courses and maintains small class sizes with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, a chapel, and athletic fields. The school emphasizes faith-based education while providing strong academic preparation, with graduates consistently attending top colleges and universities nationwide.
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Our Lady of Mercy Academy
Sisters of Mercy
Our Lady of Mercy Academy is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory high school located approximately 12 miles from Buena. The school offers a challenging academic program with numerous honors and Advanced Placement courses, emphasizing leadership development and service learning. The campus features modern academic facilities, science and technology labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school maintains a strong tradition of academic excellence with 100% college acceptance and emphasizes the development of confident, capable young women prepared for higher education and leadership roles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Buena, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available for families in Buena, New Jersey, and what grade levels do they serve?
Buena, NJ, and its immediate surrounding area in Atlantic County are served by several notable private institutions, primarily with a Catholic affiliation. St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland is an all-boys college preparatory school for grades 9-12. Holy Spirit High School in Absecon is a coeducational Catholic high school for grades 9-12. Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Newfield is an all-girls college preparatory school for grades 9-12. For younger students, families often look to Catholic elementary schools in neighboring towns like Buena Regional Catholic or St. Joseph Regional School in Somers Point. The private school landscape in Buena is characterized by these established secondary schools, requiring families to plan for the transition from public or private elementary programs.
How does tuition for private high schools in the Buena, NJ, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the top private high schools near Buena, NJ, for the 2024-2025 academic year generally ranges from approximately $12,000 to $18,000 annually. Specific figures vary by school; for example, St. Augustine Prep and Holy Spirit High School have tuition near the higher end of that range, while Our Lady of Mercy Academy may be slightly lower. All these New Jersey schools offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need, requiring applications through systems like FACTS Grant & Aid. Additionally, New Jersey's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" (OSA) tax credit program can provide significant scholarships for students from lower-income families to attend participating private schools. It's crucial to contact each school's admissions office directly for the most current tuition and to begin the financial aid process early, often concurrent with admissions applications.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs distinguish the private schools in the Buena, New Jersey, region?
Private schools near Buena leverage their specialized missions to offer distinct programs. St. Augustine Prep is renowned for its rigorous STEM (Hermes) and Humanities (Augustinian) Scholars programs, and a nationally recognized robotics team. Holy Spirit High School offers a unique Fine and Performing Arts Academy within the school, allowing for concentrated study in arts disciplines. Our Lady of Mercy Academy emphasizes women's leadership and global studies, with a strong focus on science and technology. All three schools provide extensive Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings and have competitive athletic programs within the Cape-Atlantic League. Their Catholic identity also integrates service-learning requirements, which are a hallmark of the educational experience in this region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools serving Buena, NJ, families?
The enrollment process for private high schools in the Buena area is highly structured and begins over a year in advance. The key timeline is for 8th-grade students seeking 9th-grade admission. Open Houses are typically held in September and October. Application deadlines are usually in early December, with required components including standardized test scores (like the HSPT), transcripts, recommendations, and a personal essay. Entrance exams are often administered on specific Saturdays in November or December. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are typically communicated in late January or February. It is highly recommended that families in Buena begin researching and visiting schools in the fall of their child's 7th-grade year to ensure they meet all critical deadlines.
For a family in Buena, what are the major considerations when comparing the local public school district to the nearby private school options?
Families in Buena comparing the Buena Regional School District to private options should consider several key factors. Academically, private schools like St. Augustine Prep or OLMA often have smaller average class sizes and may offer a broader range of AP courses or specialized academic tracks. The private schools provide a faith-based education environment, which is a primary motivator for many families. Extracurricularly, both sectors offer robust sports and clubs, but private schools draw from a wider geographic area, potentially creating different social dynamics. Financially, choosing private school means assuming tuition costs versus a "free" public education, though the public district's offerings and performance should be evaluated. Transportation is another practical consideration; while some private schools offer busing from designated points, it is less comprehensive than public school door-to-door service in Buena. Ultimately, the decision hinges on the value placed on religious education, specific academic programs, and school culture.
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