The Best Private Schools in Augusta, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Augusta. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Western Reserve Academy
Independent
Western Reserve Academy is a prestigious coeducational boarding and day school serving students in grades 9-12. Located approximately 45 minutes from Augusta, WRA offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional academic programs, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. With a strong emphasis on character development and leadership, WRA provides comprehensive extracurricular activities and has an excellent college placement record.
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Gilmour Academy
Independent Catholic
Gilmour Academy is an independent Catholic school serving students from Montessori through 12th grade, located approximately 50 minutes from Augusta. The school offers a comprehensive educational experience with rigorous academic programs, including Advanced Placement and honors courses. Gilmour features exceptional facilities including science and technology centers, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development within a faith-based community while maintaining strong academic standards. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Gilmour provides personalized attention and has an excellent record of college placements.
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Ursuline High School
Catholic Diocese of Youngstown
Ursuline High School is a Catholic coeducational institution serving students in grades 9-12, located approximately 30 minutes from Augusta. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong academic programs including Advanced Placement courses, STEM initiatives, and fine arts. Ursuline emphasizes faith-based education while maintaining high academic standards. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and technology resources. The school has a strong tradition of academic excellence and community service with dedicated faculty and active parent involvement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Augusta, Ohio
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Augusta, Ohio?
While Augusta itself is a small village, families in the area have access to several highly-regarded private schools within a reasonable commuting distance. The most prominent options include Western Reserve Academy (a prestigious co-ed boarding and day school in Hudson), Ursuline High School (a Catholic college-preparatory school in Youngstown), and Gilmour Academy (a Catholic independent school in Gates Mills). These schools serve students from Augusta and the wider Portage County region, offering day student programs. It's important to note that there are no major private school campuses directly within the village limits of Augusta, so transportation planning is a key consideration for local parents.
How does the tuition for private schools near Augusta, OH, compare, and what financial aid options are available through Ohio state programs?
Tuition for the top private schools near Augusta varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition can range from approximately $15,000 to over $40,000 annually, with boarding options at schools like Western Reserve Academy being higher. Ohio offers specific financial aid programs that can help Augusta families. The most notable is the EdChoice Scholarship Program, which provides state-funded vouchers for students assigned to low-performing public schools or based on household income. Additionally, the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship and the Autism Scholarship Program offer support for eligible students. Each private school also typically has its own need-based financial aid and merit scholarship opportunities.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Augusta, Ohio, area offer that leverage local resources or partnerships?
Private schools serving the Augusta area often have distinctive programs that take advantage of Northeast Ohio's resources. For example, Western Reserve Academy's proximity to the Cleveland Clinic and other major institutions facilitates advanced STEM research opportunities and internships. Gilmour Academy features a renowned equestrian program utilizing its rural campus setting, which may appeal to families in the agricultural community of Augusta. Ursuline High School emphasizes its strong community service and faith-based education, with deep ties to the Youngstown Catholic diocese. These schools also frequently participate in the athletic conferences of Northeast Ohio, offering robust sports competition against other private and select public schools in the region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Augusta, and are there considerations for rural families?
The enrollment process for schools like Western Reserve Academy, Ursuline, and Gilmour typically begins in the fall, one year prior to desired entry. Key steps include open houses (often held September-November), application submission by January/February, student testing/interviews, and admission decisions released in March. For Augusta families, it's crucial to inquire early about transportation options, as some schools may offer bus routes from designated areas in Portage or Trumbull counties. Given the rural nature of Augusta, planning for the daily commute is a significant part of the decision. Many schools also host shadow days, where a prospective student spends a day on campus, which requires advanced scheduling from a distance.
How do the educational environments of private schools near Augusta, Ohio, compare to the local public school district, the Waterloo Local School District?
Choosing between a private school and the Waterloo Local School District involves several key distinctions. The Waterloo District serves the Augusta community directly and offers a traditional public education with no tuition. The private options, while requiring a commute and tuition, generally offer smaller average class sizes, specialized college preparatory curricula, and different religious or philosophical foundations (e.g., Catholic or independent). For families seeking a specific educational approach like Montessori, International Baccalaureate, or a boarding option, the private schools fill a niche not available in the local public system. The decision often hinges on a family's priorities for academic intensity, extracurricular breadth, religious education, and their willingness to manage the logistical and financial commitments of a private institution.
Private Education Insights
Find the Best Non-Religious Private Schools in Augusta, Ohio for Your Child
For parents in Augusta, Ohio, beginning the search for the right educational environment for their child can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You may be seeking a rigorous academic program, smaller class sizes, or a specific focus on college preparation, all within a setting that aligns with your family’s values. A common and important query that arises for many families is finding excellent "non religious private schools near me." While the Augusta area is home to several outstanding faith-based institutions, there are also exceptional secular options within a reasonable commute that provide a world-class education without a religious affiliation.
Understanding the local landscape is key. Augusta itself is a charming, close-knit community, and families often look toward the broader Northeast Ohio region for private school choices. The commute is a significant consideration, but for many, the investment in time is worth the unique opportunities these schools provide. A secular private school focuses its mission entirely on academic excellence, character development, and community engagement, drawing its ethical framework from humanistic principles rather than a specific religious doctrine. This environment can be ideal for families who desire a private education centered purely on intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and inclusive community values.
When exploring non religious private schools near you, several notable names appear within a manageable drive from Augusta. Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, approximately a 45-minute drive, is a premier co-educational boarding and day school. It offers a rigorous curriculum with a strong emphasis on writing and interdisciplinary learning, all within a historic, collegiate-style campus. Closer to home, in Gates Mills, Gilmour Academy offers a unique model. While it is a Catholic school, it importantly operates a separate, non-denominational track known as the Academy for Non-Denominational Students. This innovative program allows students to experience Gilmour’s exceptional facilities and academic programs while participating in a tailored, secular ethics and service curriculum. It’s a distinctive option worth investigating for its hybrid approach. Further east, Andrews School in Willoughby, though historically a girls' school with religious roots, has evolved, and it's always wise to inquire about current philosophical orientations.
The decision ultimately hinges on fit. We encourage Augusta parents to look beyond the label and deeply investigate each school’s culture. Schedule visits, ask pointed questions about the daily student experience, and observe classroom interactions. How does the school foster integrity, respect, and global citizenship? What are the arts and athletics programs like? How does the school support different learning styles? The benefit of a secular private school is the dedicated space for exploring diverse perspectives and building a personal moral compass through discourse and experience. For families in Augusta seeking this specific environment, the journey may lead you to campuses in neighboring communities, but the result—a tailored, challenging, and values-driven education that mirrors your family’s worldview—can be profoundly rewarding. Your search for "non religious private schools near me" is the first step toward finding a community where your child’s intellectual and personal growth can flourish without boundary.