The Best Private Schools in Carey, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Carey. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Michael School
Catholic Diocese of Toledo
St. Michael School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Carey area from nearby Findlay. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning and academic excellence. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years teaching experience, robust STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and consistently achieves above-average standardized test scores.
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Tiffin Calvert High School
Calvert Catholic Schools
Tiffin Calvert High School is a respected Catholic college-preparatory school serving students from Carey and surrounding Seneca County. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with multiple Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive athletic programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a 100% college acceptance rate and average ACT scores consistently above state averages, Calvert provides strong academic preparation in a faith-based environment.
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Old Fort Junior/Senior High School
Old Fort Local School District
Old Fort Junior/Senior High School serves as a regional private school option for Carey area families, offering comprehensive education with strong college preparatory and career technical programs. The school features modern facilities including updated science labs, technology centers, and athletic facilities. Academic programs emphasize personalized learning with small class sizes, while extracurricular offerings include competitive sports, music programs, and student organizations. The school maintains strong community partnerships and consistently achieves high graduation rates with graduates attending competitive colleges and universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Carey, Ohio
What are the private school options directly in Carey, Ohio, and what are the closest options in surrounding towns?
Within the village of Carey itself, the primary private option is St. Michael School, which serves students in grades K-8. For high school, families typically look to nearby towns. Two of the top-regarded options are Tiffin Calvert High School (about a 20-minute drive southeast in Tiffin) and Old Fort Junior/Senior High School (approximately a 15-minute drive southwest in Old Fort). This means most Carey-based private education involves a commitment to commuting within Wyandot and Seneca counties, with many families forming carpools.
How does tuition at private schools like St. Michael and Tiffin Calvert compare, and are there Ohio-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 year, St. Michael School in Carey has a parishioner tuition rate around $2,500-$3,000 and a non-parishioner rate higher. Tiffin Calvert High School's tuition is typically over $6,000 annually. Critically for Ohio residents, the state's EdChoice Scholarship Program is a major financial factor. Based on income or the assigned public school's performance rating, families can receive significant state-funded scholarships to apply to tuition at these approved private schools, dramatically reducing out-of-pocket costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Carey students offer?
Schools in this rural region often emphasize close-knit community and specific strengths. St. Michael School integrates Catholic faith throughout its curriculum in a small-class setting. Tiffin Calvert High School, a member of the Midland Athletic League, is known for strong college-prep academics, competitive athletics, and notable programs in STEM and the arts. Old Fort Junior/Senior High School offers a more intimate rural environment with a focus on agricultural science and vocational pathways, which appeals to families interested in hands-on, technical education alongside core academics.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Michael in Carey, and when should I apply?
For St. Michael School, the re-registration for current families usually occurs in early spring (February/March), with open enrollment for new families beginning shortly after. It's advisable to contact the school office by January to express interest and schedule a tour. For the high schools, Tiffin Calvert and Old Fort have their own timelines, often with shadowing opportunities for 8th graders in the fall and application deadlines in the winter for the following academic year. Given the small sizes, spaces can be limited, so initiating contact a full year in advance is a common recommendation for Carey-area parents.
How do the private schools serving the Carey community differ from the public Wyandot County school districts?
The key differences involve educational approach, scale, and religious affiliation. Public school students in Carey attend Carey Exempted Village Schools, which offers a comprehensive K-12 pathway in one district. The private alternatives provide a faith-based education (St. Michael, Calvert) or a distinct small-school environment (Old Fort). Academically, private schools may offer more specialized attention due to smaller class sizes and alternative curricula. The choice often comes down to a family's preference for religious integration, specific program offerings like vocational ag at Old Fort, or utilizing state scholarships if seeking an alternative to the local public school system.
Private Education Insights
Top Independent Secondary Schools Near Carey, Ohio | A Parent's Guide
When you find yourself searching for "independent secondary schools near me" from your home in Carey, Ohio, you're embarking on a significant journey for your family. This small, tight-knit community in Wyandot County values tradition and strong educational foundations, making the exploration of private secondary options a thoughtful next step. While Carey itself is home to the well-regarded St. Michael School for younger grades, the quest for an independent secondary environment often leads families to look just beyond the village limits, where several distinctive institutions offer unique pathways for students in grades 7-12.
The concept of an independent school, particularly in our region, often translates to a parochial or faith-based education with a strong independent character. These schools operate with their own governance and mission, distinct from the public system, and they frequently emphasize smaller class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a values-centered curriculum. For Carey families, this search is wonderfully convenient. A short drive south brings you to Tiffin Calvert High School in Tiffin, a cornerstone of Catholic education with a celebrated tradition in both academics and athletics. Its structured environment and college preparatory focus have drawn students from Carey for generations, offering a comprehensive high school experience within a manageable commute.
Another excellent option within a similar radius is Old Fort Junior/Senior High School in the village of Old Fort. This provides a notably different, yet equally compelling, model. It is a public school that operates through open enrollment, but for many Carey parents, it functions like an independent choice due to its specific curricular strengths and smaller, community-focused atmosphere. Its agricultural science and vocational programs are standout features, providing hands-on learning that resonates with the agricultural heritage of our area. Exploring this as part of your "independent secondary schools near me" search highlights the importance of looking at all types of school environments that operate independently of your local district.
Choosing between these paths requires local consideration. For Carey parents, logistics like daily transportation, involvement in after-school activities, and the alignment of a school’s values with your family’s are paramount. The drive along State Route 23 or 568 to Tiffin or Old Fort is a familiar one, and carpooling with other local families is a common and community-building solution. We recommend scheduling visits to truly feel the culture of each school. Attend a football game at Calvert or a Future Farmers of America event at Old Fort to see the student community in action. Talk to administrators about how they support students transitioning from a smaller elementary setting like St. Michael’s into their broader secondary environment. Your search for the right independent secondary school near Carey is not just about academics; it’s about finding a community that will nurture your child’s character and aspirations, all within the familiar landscape of Northwest Ohio. The options close to home provide robust, distinct choices, each capable of forging a strong foundation for the future.