The Best Private Schools in Cambridge, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Cambridge. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Thomas Aquinas School
Diocese of Steubenville Catholic Schools
St. Thomas Aquinas School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving students from Cambridge and surrounding communities in the Zanesville area. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with low student-teacher ratios, competitive sports programs, and robust extracurricular activities including music, art, and STEM enrichment. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction ratings and has a reputation for preparing students well for high school and beyond.
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Bishop Fenwick High School
Diocese of Columbus Catholic Schools
Bishop Fenwick High School is a premier Catholic college-preparatory high school that serves students from Cambridge and throughout the region. The school offers a challenging academic curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive athletic programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. With modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes, Bishop Fenwick provides a well-rounded education focused on character development and academic excellence. The school has strong college acceptance rates and maintains high parent and student satisfaction through its supportive community and dedicated faculty.
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Mid-East Career and Technology Centers
Ohio Technical Centers Network
Mid-East Career and Technology Centers provides exceptional private technical education serving Cambridge students and surrounding communities. While primarily a career-tech institution, it offers comprehensive high school programs and adult education with specialized tracks in healthcare, engineering, information technology, skilled trades, and business. The school features state-of-the-industry equipment, experienced instructors with real-world expertise, and strong industry partnerships that lead to excellent job placement rates. Mid-East maintains high satisfaction ratings for its practical, career-focused approach to education and its commitment to student success in both technical skills and academic foundations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Cambridge, Ohio
What are the main private school options available for K-12 education in Cambridge, Ohio?
In Cambridge, Ohio, the primary private school options are faith-based institutions. The notable schools include St. Thomas Aquinas School, which typically serves elementary and middle school grades, and Bishop Fenwick High School in nearby Franklin, which is a common destination for Cambridge families seeking a Catholic high school education. Additionally, the Mid-East Career and Technology Centers, while not a traditional private school, offer specialized career-tech programs that students from both public and private schools can attend part-time. The private school landscape in Cambridge is characterized by smaller, community-focused environments with strong religious foundations.
How does tuition at Cambridge, Ohio private schools compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition at Cambridge's private schools, like St. Thomas Aquinas, is generally below the average for major Ohio cities but aligns with regional norms for Southeastern Ohio. Annual elementary tuition often ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 per student. Ohio offers specific financial aid programs that Cambridge families can utilize, most notably the EdChoice Scholarship, which provides state-funded vouchers based on income or if the student's assigned public school is underperforming. Additionally, most local Catholic schools have parish subsidy programs for active members and offer need-based scholarships funded by local donors and diocesan programs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Cambridge area offer?
Private schools in the Cambridge area leverage their size to offer personalized learning and strong foundational academics, often with integrated religious education. A unique aspect is the partnership with the Mid-East Career and Technology Centers. Students from Bishop Fenwick High School and other private schools can enroll in Mid-East's programs for hands-on training in fields like healthcare, engineering, automotive technology, and agriculture—a significant advantage for career-minded students. Furthermore, local private schools often emphasize community service projects tied to the Cambridge and Guernsey County area, fostering local civic engagement.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Cambridge, Ohio?
The enrollment process for Cambridge private schools like St. Thomas Aquinas usually begins in January or February for the following academic year. Key steps include submitting an application, providing records from previous schools, and often a family interview or student assessment. Many families in this area prioritize early application, as spaces, particularly in specific elementary grades, can be limited due to small class sizes. An important local consideration is the deadline for applying for state scholarship programs like EdChoice, which often aligns with the spring enrollment period. It's highly recommended to contact the school directly in the fall prior to your desired enrollment year.
For a family in Cambridge, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school?
The decision in Cambridge often centers on educational philosophy, class size, and cost. Cambridge City School District offers a comprehensive K-12 system with diverse extracurriculars. In contrast, private options provide a faith-based education (primarily Catholic) with typically smaller class sizes and a consistent disciplinary environment. A major practical consideration is transportation; Ohio law provides transportation services to private school students, but the specifics depend on distance from Cambridge City Schools' bus routes. Furthermore, families should evaluate the long-term plan: many local private school students transition to a private high school outside the immediate Cambridge area, which involves commuting to places like Bishop Fenwick.
Private Education Insights
Exploring Non-Religious Private School Options for Cambridge, Ohio Families
When exploring private education options in Cambridge, Ohio, many families are drawn to the well-established faith-based schools like St. Thomas Aquinas School and Bishop Fenwick High School. These institutions offer excellent academic programs rooted in strong community values. However, a growing number of parents are specifically seeking a private school education that is not affiliated with a religious denomination. Understanding the landscape for non religious private schools in Cambridge requires looking at both local offerings and the broader regional options available to Guernsey County families.
First, it’s important to clarify the distinction. A non religious private school operates independently of any church or religious doctrine, focusing its mission entirely on academic excellence, character development, and specific educational philosophies, without incorporating religious instruction or worship into its daily routine. In Cambridge itself, the most prominent private options are religiously affiliated. This means families prioritizing a secular private environment often need to expand their search geographically or consider the unique public-private hybrid model offered locally.
One significant local resource that often surprises parents is the Mid-East Career and Technology Centers. While technically part of a public consortium, Mid-East offers specialized, career-focused programs that function with the selectivity and concentrated focus of a private institution. For high school students, attending Mid-East for half their day provides a rigorous, hands-on education in fields from engineering to healthcare, entirely secular in nature. It represents a compelling alternative for parents seeking a specialized, non-religious educational path that prioritizes real-world skills and college readiness.
For a traditional, full-day non religious private school, families in Cambridge typically look to nearby cities. A reasonable commute can open doors to independent schools in Columbus, Zanesville, or even West Virginia. These schools offer diverse educational approaches, from Montessori and progressive models to rigorous college-preparatory curricula. The trade-off, of course, involves transportation logistics and potentially higher tuition, but for many, the alignment with their desire for a secular education is paramount. When researching these options, we advise parents to inquire about transportation carpool networks, as some Cambridge families may already be making similar trips.
The decision ultimately hinges on what you value most: the convenience and deep community ties of local religious schools, the innovative career-tech model of Mid-East, or the dedicated secular environment found further afield. For Cambridge parents, it’s a process of balancing philosophy with practicality. We recommend visiting any school you consider, whether local or regional. Ask direct questions about the curriculum’s secular nature, the school’s core values, and how they foster ethics and community without religious framework. Talk to other parents in the area who have chosen similar paths. Your investment in finding the right fit—a school that aligns perfectly with your family’s educational philosophy—will provide a strong foundation for your child’s future, right here from our Cambridge community.