The Best Private Schools in Westernville, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Westernville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School
Notre Dame Schools
Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Westernville area and greater Oneida County. Established in 1959, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses and a strong STEM program. The school features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Notre Dame emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and community service. The school offers extensive extracurricular activities including competitive sports teams, performing arts, and various clubs.
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Rome Catholic School
Diocese of Syracuse
Rome Catholic School provides comprehensive Catholic education from Pre-K through 12th grade, serving Westernville and the Rome area. Founded in 1973, the school offers a rigorous academic program with strong emphasis on moral and spiritual development. The curriculum includes college preparatory courses, advanced mathematics and science programs, and comprehensive language arts. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, computer labs, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes and offers diverse extracurricular activities including sports, music, drama, and community service programs.
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The Strough Middle School (Private Division)
Rome City School District (Private Programs)
While primarily a public institution, The Strough Middle School operates distinguished private and specialized programs that serve students from Westernville and surrounding communities. Established in 1979, the school offers advanced academic programs with particular strength in STEM education and gifted student development. The private division features specialized curricula, enhanced technology resources, and individualized learning plans. The school boasts excellent facilities including state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts spaces, and comprehensive athletic facilities. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's commitment to academic excellence and comprehensive student development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Westernville, New York
What are the primary private school options available for families in Westernville, New York, and what grade levels do they serve?
Westernville, located in Oneida County, NY, offers a few key private institutions, primarily with a Catholic affiliation. Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School serves grades 7-12. Rome Catholic School, though located in the nearby city of Rome, is a common choice for Westernville families and typically serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The Strough Middle School (Private Division) is a more unique option, offering a private program within a public school framework for middle school grades. Given the rural setting, many families in Westernville also consider private schools in the broader Rome and Utica areas, expanding their options.
How does tuition for private schools in the Westernville, NY, area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Westernville/Rome area is generally below the average for downstate New York but aligns with upstate private school costs. For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition at schools like Notre Dame or Rome Catholic School often ranges from approximately $5,000 to $10,000 per year, depending on the grade level and parish affiliation. A critical financial aid resource for New York State residents is the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for non-public schools, which provides need-based grants. Additionally, most local private schools offer their own need-based financial aid, scholarships, and active support for families applying for New York's STEM Scholarship program.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable at private schools in the Westernville, New York, region?
Private schools in this region often emphasize strong college preparatory curricula with a values-based foundation. Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School, for example, offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a distinctive House System for student mentorship. Rome Catholic School provides a continuous Pre-K-12 education with a focus on faith integration across all subjects. Given the area's proximity to institutions like the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, some schools strengthen their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) offerings. Extracurriculars often include robust sports programs, particularly in leagues with other upstate NY private schools, and community service requirements that connect students to the local Oneida County area.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Westernville, NY, and are there important local deadlines?
The enrollment process for Westernville-area private schools usually begins in the winter for the following fall semester. Open houses are commonly held between October and February. Key deadlines for application submissions and financial aid applications (like FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment) often fall in early spring (March/April). A unique local consideration is that some schools, due to their religious affiliation, may give priority to registered parishioners of supporting diocesan churches, so early communication with both the school and your local parish is advised. Rolling admissions may continue if spaces are available, but securing a spot by late spring is recommended.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools in Westernville, NY, compare to the public Rome City School District?
The defining difference is scale and personalization. Private schools like Notre Dame and Rome Catholic School typically have significantly smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students) compared to the larger public middle and high schools in the Rome district. This fosters a close-knit community atmosphere where students are well-known by faculty. The private school environment is often characterized by a specific moral or religious framework, mandatory uniforms, and a consistent disciplinary code. Academically, while Rome City School District offers a wide variety of public school programs, private schools in the area provide a focused, college-prep track with potentially more direct teacher attention, which is a major draw for Westernville families seeking an alternative educational setting.
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