The Best Private Schools in Rolla, North Dakota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rolla. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Catholic School
Diocese of Fargo
St. Mary's Catholic School is the primary private education option in Rolla, offering a faith-based education for grades K-8. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum that integrates Catholic values with strong academic fundamentals. With small class sizes and individualized attention, students receive quality instruction in core subjects along with religious education. The school has deep roots in the Rolla community and serves as a cornerstone of private education in the region, maintaining strong parent involvement and community support.
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Bishop Ryan Catholic School
Diocese of Fargo
Located approximately 90 miles from Rolla in Minot, Bishop Ryan Catholic School serves as a regional private education hub for northeast North Dakota. The school offers a comprehensive K-12 program with strong college preparatory curriculum, advanced placement courses, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. With modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes, Bishop Ryan provides a well-rounded education that attracts students from surrounding communities. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence.
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St. John's Academy
Independent Lutheran School
St. John's Academy in Bottineau, approximately 35 miles from Rolla, provides a classical Lutheran education for students in grades K-8. The school emphasizes traditional academic disciplines, character formation, and spiritual development within a Christian environment. With a strong focus on foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, supplemented by music, art, and religious instruction, St. John's offers an alternative private education option for families in the Rolla region. The school maintains close community ties and has served multiple generations of local families.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rolla, North Dakota
What are the private school options available for K-12 education in Rolla, North Dakota?
In Rolla, ND, private education is primarily offered through faith-based institutions. The main options are St. Mary's Catholic School, which typically serves elementary and middle grades, and Bishop Ryan Catholic School, which often includes high school grades. St. John's Academy is another parochial school in the region. Due to Rolla's rural setting and smaller population, private school choices are limited compared to larger North Dakota cities. These schools provide a continuous, values-based education from kindergarten through high school graduation, which is a significant consideration for families seeking long-term educational stability in the area.
How does tuition at private schools in Rolla, ND, compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition at private schools in Rolla is generally below the national average and often competitive with or slightly above the North Dakota state average for private education, reflecting the region's lower cost of living. For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition at schools like St. Mary's or Bishop Ryan typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 annually for parishioners, with higher rates for non-members. Significant financial aid is available through parish subsidies, diocesan assistance, and need-based scholarships. North Dakota also has a state-funded K-12 tuition reimbursement program for certain qualifying families, which can substantially offset costs for Rolla residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Rolla offer that leverage the local community and environment?
Private schools in Rolla, such as St. Mary's and Bishop Ryan, integrate the rural and agricultural character of the region into their programs. This often includes enhanced science curricula focused on local ecology and agriculture, partnerships with the nearby Turtle Mountain community for cultural studies, and robust distance learning or dual-credit opportunities through collaborations with North Dakota state colleges to overcome geographic isolation. Extracurriculars frequently emphasize close-knit community involvement, with many students participating in statewide Catholic school athletics leagues and local service projects that are central to life in a small North Dakota town.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools in Rolla, North Dakota?
The enrollment process for Rolla's private schools usually begins in early winter (January-February) for the following academic year, with priority often given to current families, parish members, and siblings. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, and sometimes a pastoral reference for parishioner rates. Due to the limited seats in these small schools, especially in specific grade levels, it is advisable to apply by March. Rolling admissions may continue if spaces remain. Many schools host open houses or shadow days in the fall and winter. A key local consideration is transportation, as some families may qualify for busing services through the local public school district depending on distance and North Dakota regulations.
For families considering both options, what are the key differences between private and public schools in Rolla, North Dakota?
The key differences in Rolla center on scale, curriculum, and community. Public schools in Rolla are part of the larger Rolla Public School District, offering a broader range of elective courses and potentially more extensive facilities due to state funding. The private schools (St. Mary's, Bishop Ryan) offer smaller class sizes—often 10-15 students per grade—and a faith-based education integrated throughout the curriculum. Academically, both sectors perform well, but private schools provide a specific moral framework and often have higher rates of college matriculation for graduating seniors. A practical local difference is that private school families may need to arrange more of their own transportation, while public school bus routes are more comprehensive in this rural area.
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