The Best Private Schools in Sharon, North Dakota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Sharon. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Oak Grove Lutheran School
Independent Lutheran
Oak Grove Lutheran School is a highly-regarded private Christian school located approximately 60 miles from Sharon. Serving grades 6-12, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The campus features modern academic facilities, science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. Notable programs include advanced STEM courses, comprehensive fine arts offerings, and competitive athletics. The school maintains a strong academic reputation with high college acceptance rates and has been serving eastern North Dakota communities for five decades.
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Shanley High School
Fargo Catholic Schools Network
Shanley High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the Fargo region and surrounding communities including Sharon. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses, strong STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. Facilities include modern classrooms, science and technology labs, a performing arts center, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development through service learning and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. With nearly 60 years of educational excellence, Shanley has established itself as one of North Dakota's top private secondary schools.
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Red River Valley Montessori School
American Montessori Society
Red River Valley Montessori School provides authentic Montessori education for children ages 3 through middle school, serving families throughout eastern North Dakota including the Sharon area. The school features carefully prepared Montessori classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and specialized materials that support hands-on, individualized learning. The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence, independence, and social development through multi-age classrooms. With three decades of operation and AMS accreditation, the school has built a strong reputation for developing capable, confident learners who excel academically and socially.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Sharon, North Dakota
What are the primary private school options available for families in or near Sharon, North Dakota?
While Sharon itself is a very small community, families in the area typically look to nearby Fargo for private school options, as it is the major educational hub for the region. The top schools often considered include Oak Grove Lutheran School (a PreK-12 Lutheran school in Fargo), Shanley High School (a Catholic high school in Fargo), and Red River Valley Montessori School (in Fargo). For Sharon residents, this means commuting, but these schools provide the primary private alternatives to the local public school system. It's important to research each school's specific mission, curriculum, and transportation policies.
How does tuition at private schools near Sharon, ND, compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for schools like Oak Grove Lutheran and Shanley High School in Fargo typically ranges from approximately $8,000 to $12,000 per year for tuition, which is generally in line with or slightly below private school averages in North Dakota. A significant financial consideration specific to North Dakota is the state's K-12 Education Tax Credit, which allows individuals and corporations to receive a tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations then provide need-based tuition assistance to families. Most Fargo-area private schools have robust financial aid and scholarship programs funded through these mechanisms, making them more accessible to families from Sharon.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Fargo-Sharon area offer that might not be available in local public schools?
Private schools near Sharon differentiate themselves with specialized programs. Oak Grove Lutheran offers a distinctive global education focus with international travel opportunities and a strong arts program. Shanley High School provides a comprehensive Catholic college-preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on theology and service learning. Red River Valley Montessori School offers authentic Montessori education for young children, which is child-led and focuses on hands-on learning—a model not typically found in public districts in the region. These schools often have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving the Sharon, ND, community?
The enrollment process for Fargo-area private schools often begins nearly a year in advance. For example, many schools open applications for the following academic year in the fall (September-October), with priority deadlines in January or February. The process usually involves an application form, submission of past academic records, a family interview, and sometimes student assessments. For Sharon families, it's crucial to initiate contact early, attend open houses (often held in the fall), and inquire about transportation or carpool options, as geographic distance is a key logistical factor. Waiting lists can exist for popular grades.
For a family in Sharon, what are the main considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school in Fargo?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. The primary consideration is the daily commute to Fargo (approximately 30-45 minutes), which impacts family logistics and extracurricular participation. Academically, parents must weigh the specialized religious or pedagogical approach (Lutheran, Catholic, Montessori) against the convenience and no-cost option of the local public school. Community is another factor; private schools offer a defined community based on shared values, while the Sharon public school offers a close-knit, local community. Finally, cost is a major differentiator, requiring families to evaluate the value of tuition against their educational priorities and available financial aid.
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