The Best Private Schools in Alvada, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Alvada. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Wendelin Catholic School
Diocese of Toledo
St. Wendelin Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school located approximately 10 miles from Alvada. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, the school offers a comprehensive education grounded in Catholic values with strong academic programs. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and offers extensive extracurricular activities including sports, music, and community service programs. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and strong academic preparation.
Programs:
Liberty Benton Local Schools (Private Options through Open Enrollment)
Liberty-Benton School District
While primarily a public district, Liberty Benton offers exceptional educational opportunities through Ohio's open enrollment program, making it accessible to Alvada residents seeking private-quality education. Located approximately 20 miles from Alvada, the district is consistently ranked among Ohio's top school systems. The high school features a comprehensive STEM academy, extensive College Credit Plus options allowing students to earn college credits, and state-of-the-art facilities including advanced science labs and technology centers. The district offers robust athletic programs and extensive arts education. Parents consistently rate the schools highly for academic rigor, teacher quality, and college preparation.
Programs:
Calvert Catholic Schools
Diocese of Toledo
Calvert Catholic Schools, located approximately 15 miles from Alvada in Tiffin, provides a comprehensive Catholic education from elementary through high school. The school is known for its strong college preparatory curriculum with multiple Advanced Placement courses and a 100% college acceptance rate. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, a performing arts center, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence and offers diverse extracurricular programs including robotics, theater, and competitive sports. Parent satisfaction is high with particular praise for the dedicated faculty and strong community atmosphere.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Alvada, Ohio
What are the actual private school options available for families residing in Alvada, Ohio, given its small size?
Alvada itself, as a village, has very limited on-site private schools. The most common options involve commuting to nearby communities. St. Wendelin Catholic School (K-8) is located in Fostoria, about a 15-minute drive, and Calvert Catholic Schools (K-12) are in Tiffin, roughly a 25-minute drive. Additionally, Ohio's inter-district open enrollment policy allows for consideration of public schools in neighboring districts like Liberty-Benton, which some families may treat as a "private option" without tuition, though it is technically a public school choice. Truly private, secular day schools are not present in the immediate Alvada area.
How does Ohio's EdChoice Scholarship program affect tuition costs at private schools like Calvert Catholic or St. Wendelin for Alvada residents?
Ohio's EdChoice Scholarship can significantly reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs for eligible Alvada families. The program provides state-funded vouchers based on either the assigned public school building's performance (EdChoice Expansion) or family income (EdChoice Traditional). Both Calvert Catholic Schools and St. Wendelin Catholic School accept these scholarships. The voucher amount is applied directly to tuition. For the 2023-24 school year, expansion scholarships were up to $6,165 for K-8 and $8,407 for high school. It's crucial to apply for EdChoice through the school's financial aid office by their deadlines, typically in the spring prior to the enrollment year.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by the private schools accessible from Alvada, OH, that differ from local public schools?
The private schools serving Alvada emphasize faith-based education and often have distinct programs. Calvert Catholic Schools offer a continuous K-12 curriculum with a strong emphasis on college prep, including a 1:1 technology program in upper grades and theology courses. St. Wendelin provides a structured, values-based elementary and middle school environment. A notable differentiator for these schools is the ability to participate in the Toledo Diocese's academic and athletic leagues, offering competition and collaboration with a network of similar schools. This contrasts with the rural public school experience, which may have different athletic conference affiliations and no integrated religious curriculum.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a kindergarten student at St. Wendelin or Calvert Catholic for an Alvada family?
For both schools, the process begins early in the calendar year for fall enrollment. Open houses and registration for new families typically occur in January-February. Priority is often given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of supporting Catholic churches. Alvada families would need to complete an application, provide birth and baptismal certificates, and undergo a screening/assessment. It's highly recommended to apply for financial aid and the EdChoice Scholarship simultaneously during this window. Given the limited seats, especially in kindergarten, initiating contact by December of the year before your child turns five is advisable to ensure you receive all deadline information.
For an Alvada resident, what are the key practical considerations when choosing between a local public school, open enrollment to Liberty-Benton, or a private Catholic school?
The decision hinges on priorities for commute, cost, and educational environment. Alvada's local public school is typically Arcadia or Vanlue, part of small rural districts. Open enrollment to Liberty-Benton offers a highly-rated public school option with no tuition but requires daily transportation (a ~20-25 minute drive) and is subject to space availability. Choosing Calvert or St. Wendelin adds a faith-based component, involves tuition (offset by EdChoice), and a similar or slightly longer commute. The private school community may feel more close-knit, but the public options offer extensive extracurriculars. Visiting all options and calculating net cost after scholarships is essential for Alvada parents.