The Best Private Schools in Surrey, North Dakota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Surrey. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. John's Academy
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
St. John's Academy is a premier Catholic private school serving the Surrey and greater Minot area with a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade education. The school emphasizes faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics, featuring advanced STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts offerings. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, gymnasium, and dedicated art and music spaces. The school is known for its strong community involvement and college preparatory focus, with graduates consistently attending top universities.
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Bishop Ryan Catholic School
Diocese of Fargo
Bishop Ryan Catholic School has been a cornerstone of private education in the Minot region serving Surrey families for over six decades. Offering education from Pre-K through 12th grade, the school provides a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum rooted in Catholic values. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts center, competition gymnasium, and technology-integrated classrooms. Academic programs include Advanced Placement courses, dual credit opportunities, and specialized tracks in business and STEM fields. Extracurricular offerings encompass championship athletic programs, extensive music and drama productions, and community service initiatives.
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Our Redeemer's Christian School
Our Redeemer's Church
Our Redeemer's Christian School serves the Surrey area with a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade education grounded in Christian principles. The school offers a robust academic program featuring college preparatory courses, Advanced Placement options, and career-focused electives. Campus facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, gymnasium, fine arts studios, and athletic fields. The school maintains small class sizes with personalized attention and features strong athletic programs competing in regional leagues. Academic excellence is complemented by character development and community service requirements, preparing students for both college success and responsible citizenship.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Surrey, North Dakota
What are the private school options available for families living in or near Surrey, North Dakota?
In the Surrey, ND area, families primarily have three main private school options, all with a religious affiliation. St. John's Academy is a Catholic school located in the nearby community of Jamestown, serving students from the region. Bishop Ryan Catholic School, located in Minot, is another significant option for Catholic education, though it requires a longer commute. Our Redeemer's Christian School, also in Minot, offers a Protestant Christian education. Due to Surrey's small size, most private schooling requires commuting to neighboring cities, making transportation a key consideration for Surrey residents.
How does tuition at private schools serving the Surrey, ND area compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for the private schools accessible to Surrey families is generally below the national private school average but represents a significant commitment for North Dakota households. For the 2023-2024 school year, annual tuition at these schools typically ranges from $3,500 to $6,000 per student for parishioners, with higher rates for non-members. North Dakota offers specific financial aid through the "ND K-12 Education Tax Credit," which allows a state income tax credit for contributions to scholarship organizations that help fund private school tuition. Additionally, all the local schools (St. John's, Bishop Ryan, Our Redeemer's) have their own need-based assistance and parish subsidy programs for member families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Surrey, ND offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the region emphasize faith-based education and often have unique programs shaped by their missions. For example, Bishop Ryan Catholic School and St. John's Academy integrate Catholic teachings across all subjects and offer sacramental preparation. Our Redeemer's Christian School has a strong focus on biblical literacy and worldview integration. Academically, these schools often boast very low student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for highly individualized instruction—a notable contrast to the more consolidated rural public schools in the area. Extracurriculars like competitive speech, robotics, and specific faith-based clubs are common, though the breadth of athletic programs may be more limited compared to larger public school districts.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for families in Surrey looking to secure a spot at a private school like Bishop Ryan or Our Redeemer's?
The enrollment process for schools like Bishop Ryan Catholic School and Our Redeemer's Christian School typically begins in January or February for the following fall semester. Priority is often given to current students, siblings of current students, and active members of the supporting churches. Surrey families should plan to attend an open house, often held in early winter, and submit an application by March or April to ensure consideration. The process usually includes submitting birth and baptismal certificates, academic records from previous schools, and possibly a family interview. Given the limited seats and the draw from a wide rural area, applying early is strongly recommended.
For a family in Surrey, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school in Minot or Jamestown?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. The Surrey public school is part of a small, close-knit district with the convenience of proximity. Choosing a private school in Minot (like Bishop Ryan or Our Redeemer's) or Jamestown (St. John's) involves a daily commute of 30-60 minutes each way, which impacts family logistics and extracurricular participation. Financially, you must weigh tuition costs against the free public education. Academically, private schools offer a consistent faith-based environment and small class sizes, while the public school may offer different elective choices and be the center of the local community. Many Surrey families value the private school option for its specific religious education, which is not available in the public system, making the commute a worthwhile trade-off.
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