The Best Private Schools in Austinburg, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Austinburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
NDCL is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving students throughout Northeast Ohio, including the Austinburg area. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with advanced placement courses, a specialized STEM academy, and robust fine arts programs. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. With a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and 100% college acceptance rate, NDCL provides a values-based education grounded in Catholic tradition while preparing students for academic success. The school's location in Chardon makes it accessible to Austinburg families seeking exceptional private education.
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Grand River Academy
Independent
Grand River Academy is a premier private boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12, located directly in Austinburg. Founded in 1831, it's one of Ohio's oldest independent schools with a strong college preparatory curriculum. The academy features small class sizes (8:1 student-teacher ratio), comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive athletic facilities. The campus spans 220 acres with modern dormitories, science labs, and technology centers. Known for its supportive learning environment and individualized attention, GRA prepares students for top colleges through rigorous academics combined with character development and leadership training.
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Andrews Osborne Academy
Independent
Andrews Osborne Academy is a prestigious independent day and boarding school serving students from preschool through grade 12, with many families commuting from Austinburg and surrounding areas. AOA offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside Advanced Placement courses, providing rigorous academic challenges. The 300-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and innovation labs, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. Known for its diverse student body and global perspective, the school emphasizes character education, leadership development, and personalized learning. AOA's college counseling program successfully places graduates in competitive universities worldwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Austinburg, Ohio
What are the primary private school options serving families in Austinburg, Ohio, and what are their key characteristics?
Austinburg itself is a small village, so the top private schools are located in the surrounding region and draw students from the area. The most prominent are Grand River Academy (in Austinburg), which is an all-boys boarding and day school for grades 9-12 with a focus on structured learning and character development; Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School (in Chardon, about 30 minutes away), a co-ed Catholic college preparatory school for grades 9-12; and Andrews Osborne Academy (in Willoughby, about 25 minutes away), a co-ed day and boarding school for grades PK-12 with a strong international program. For Austinburg residents, Grand River Academy offers the most immediate local option, particularly for families seeking a boarding component or a single-gender environment.
How does tuition for private schools in the Austinburg, Ohio area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Ohio?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and whether it's day or boarding. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect day student tuition to range from approximately $15,000 to $25,000+ annually at these schools, with boarding costs adding substantially more. All three major schools offer need-based financial aid. Crucially, Ohio residents can also leverage the state's EdChoice Scholarship Program, which provides vouchers based on income or the performance rating of your assigned public school district. Eligibility can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs, so it's essential to check each school's financial aid office and the Ohio Department of Education's EdChoice website for the latest criteria and application windows.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Austinburg, OH?
The schools provide distinct specialized programs. Grand River Academy emphasizes its Learning Skills Program for students who may need additional academic support and its small class sizes. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (NDCL) offers a comprehensive Catholic curriculum with extensive AP courses and faith-based service learning. Andrews Osborne Academy (AOA) stands out with its International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for grades 11-12, a globally recognized curriculum, and a prominent equestrian program. For Austinburg families, this means access to specialized support (GRA), rigorous college-prep within a faith tradition (NDCL), or a globally-focused education with boarding (AOA), all within a reasonable commute.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Austinburg, Ohio region?
The process generally begins 6-12 months before the desired fall entry. Key steps include: 1) Attending open houses (often held in the fall), 2) Submitting an application (deadlines typically between January and February for priority consideration), 3) Providing transcripts and teacher recommendations, and 4) Completing a student interview and/or entrance exam (like the SSAT or HSPT). For Grand River Academy in Austinburg, rolling admissions may be available, but applying early is always advised. Given that these schools draw from a wide geographic area, Austinburg residents should initiate contact early, especially for schools like NDCL and AOA, which have competitive admissions and may have waiting lists for certain grades.
For a family living in Austinburg, what are the main considerations when choosing between the local public school (Grand Valley Local Schools) and a private school?
The decision hinges on several factors unique to the Austinburg context. Grand Valley Local Schools offer a tuition-free, community-based education with standard extracurriculars. The private options provide alternatives such as: a specific learning environment (all-boys at GRA), a religious foundation (Catholic at NDCL), or a college-prep curriculum with boarding (AOA). Considerations include: the potential use of Ohio EdChoice scholarships to offset private tuition, the desire for smaller class sizes and individualized attention, the importance of a particular pedagogical approach (like IB or learning support), and willingness to commute. For high school, the specialized programs and post-graduate networks of the private schools are often a significant draw compared to the offerings of a smaller rural public district.
Private Education Insights
Find the Best Private Primary Schools in Austinburg, Ohio: A Parent's Guide
When you begin searching for "private primary schools near me" in Austinburg, Ohio, you're embarking on a journey to find an educational foundation that aligns with your family's values and aspirations. This quiet corner of Ashtabula County offers a unique blend of rural charm and access to some of Northeast Ohio's most respected private institutions. The search is deeply personal, and understanding the local landscape is the first step toward making an informed decision for your child's early education.
While Austinburg itself is a smaller community, your search for exceptional private primary education naturally extends into the surrounding region, where several standout schools have served families for generations. Notably, Andrews Osborne Academy, located just a short drive away in Willoughby, offers a premier independent day and boarding program that begins with a dedicated primary school. Their approach emphasizes inquiry-based learning in a globally-minded environment, which can be a wonderful fit for families seeking a rigorous and expansive start. Closer to home, the influence of institutions like Grand River Academy, though traditionally serving grades 7-12, highlights the area's strong commitment to private education, reminding us that the foundational years are crucial for future success.
Your considerations as an Austinburg parent will likely include practical logistics alongside educational philosophy. The daily commute is a real factor, with routes along Route 307 and I-90 connecting you to schools in neighboring towns. Many families find carpooling with other local parents to be a supportive solution, fostering community even before reaching the school grounds. Furthermore, the educational ethos you choose often reflects the lifestyle here—whether you value the close-knit, personalized attention that smaller private settings provide or a curriculum that connects classroom learning to the natural beauty of Ohio's Grand River region.
It's also valuable to look toward the educational pathway. A school like Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in Chardon, while a secondary school, represents the kind of continuous, value-based education many parents seek. Investigating whether your chosen primary school feeds into such respected institutions can provide long-term peace of mind. The process of finding the right "private primary school near me" involves more than a simple online query; it requires visiting campuses, feeling the atmosphere, and speaking directly with teachers and administrators. Attend open houses, ask about how they nurture individual strengths, and observe if the environment feels like an extension of the supportive community you appreciate in Austinburg.
Ultimately, your search is about partnership—finding a school that will work with you to cultivate your child's curiosity, character, and academic confidence. The investment in a private primary education in this area is an investment in a tailored learning journey, one that honors the individuality of each student while preparing them for the next steps in our interconnected world. Take your time, trust your instincts, and know that the perfect fit for your family is within reach here in Northeast Ohio.