The Best Private Schools in Oakes, North Dakota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oakes. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Oak Grove Lutheran School
Oak Grove Lutheran Schools
Oak Grove Lutheran School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving students from across southeastern North Dakota, including the Oakes area. Founded in 1976, the school offers comprehensive college preparatory education for grades 6-12 with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and offers extensive extracurricular activities including championship athletic programs, music, theater, and community service opportunities. Many graduates attend top universities nationwide.
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Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian School is a premier private Christian institution serving families throughout central and eastern North Dakota, including the Oakes region. Established in 1980, the school provides comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong academic foundation rooted in Christian values. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including technology labs, science centers, and extensive athletic complexes. Shiloh offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement options, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere and high parent satisfaction rates.
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Shanley High School
Fargo Catholic Schools Network
Shanley High School is a distinguished Catholic private school serving the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area and surrounding regions including Oakes. Founded in 1967, Shanley provides exceptional college preparatory education within a faith-based environment. The school features modern academic facilities, advanced science and technology labs, and comprehensive athletic facilities. Shanley offers a robust curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, strong STEM programs, championship athletic teams, and outstanding fine arts opportunities. With a tradition of academic excellence and character formation, Shanley consistently produces graduates who excel at competitive colleges and universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oakes, North Dakota
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Oakes, North Dakota, given that the top-named schools are in other cities?
While Oakes itself has limited private K-12 institutions, families commonly consider schools in nearby larger communities, with Fargo (about 1.5-2 hours away) being the primary hub. The schools often referenced—Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo), Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck), and Shanley High School (Fargo)—are boarding or long-commute options. For day students, this means a significant commitment to transportation, often involving carpooling or relocation. Some Oakes families also explore smaller parochial options in closer rural communities or online private academies as alternatives. The key consideration is the logistics of distance versus the desired educational environment.
How does North Dakota's Tuition Assistance Grant Program impact the affordability of private schools for Oakes residents?
North Dakota's K-12 Tuition Assistance Grant is a crucial financial factor. For the 2024-25 school year, the grant provides approximately $1,600 per student to help cover tuition at a nonpublic school. For an Oakes family considering a Fargo private school with tuition often ranging from $7,000 to $11,000+, this grant directly reduces the cost. However, parents must budget for the significant additional expenses of daily transportation or boarding fees, which are not covered. It's essential to contact your chosen school's financial aid office, as many also offer need-based scholarships and multi-child discounts to further offset costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs might justify the commute from Oakes to a Fargo-area private school?
Schools like Oak Grove Lutheran and Shanley High offer specialized programs that are typically unavailable in smaller public school districts like Oakes. These can include robust Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course sequences, extensive world language programs (e.g., Chinese or German), dedicated STEM academies, and premier fine arts facilities with state-level competitive opportunities. For student-athletes, these private schools often compete in higher athletic classifications with greater visibility. The decision often hinges on whether a student's specific academic, artistic, or athletic aspirations align with these specialized offerings enough to warrant the daily travel.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for an Oakes student applying to a private school like Shiloh Christian or Oak Grove Lutheran?
The process requires early and proactive planning due to geographic distance. Application deadlines for the following academic year are often in January or February, with financial aid applications due concurrently. The process includes submitting academic records from Oakes Public School, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores, and a family interview (which may be conducted virtually). For Oakes families, attending in-person open houses in the fall is a significant time investment but is highly recommended. Many schools have limited space in certain grades, so applying early is critical. It's also advisable to inquire about transportation networks or existing carpool groups from the Oakes area.
How does the community and student life experience differ for an Oakes student attending a large urban private school versus staying in the local public system?
This is a fundamental cultural consideration. An Oakes student commuting to Fargo will experience a significantly larger, more diverse student body and a wider array of social activities, clubs, and events. However, they may miss out on the close-knit, community-centered activities in Oakes where classmates often live in the same neighborhood. The student will need to navigate belonging to two communities: their school life in the city and their home life in a rural town. Conversely, Oakes Public School offers the advantage of deep local connections, easier access to after-school activities, and less time spent commuting. The choice often reflects a family's priority on expansive opportunity versus cohesive local integration.
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