The Best Private Schools in Chardon, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Chardon. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
University School
Independent All-Boys Day School
University School is one of the nation's premier independent all-boys day schools, serving students from Chardon and throughout Northeast Ohio. The school offers a comprehensive liberal arts education with exceptional college preparation, including 24 Advanced Placement courses. The 221-acre Hunting Valley campus features outstanding facilities including a new STEM center, performing arts complex, and extensive athletic facilities. University School emphasizes character development, leadership, and community service. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains a 100% college matriculation rate to selective institutions and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities in academics, arts, and athletics.
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Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School
Private Catholic College Preparatory School
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving Northeast Ohio. Established through the merger of two historic institutions, NDCL offers a rigorous academic program with 18 Advanced Placement courses and comprehensive college counseling. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development through service learning and offers robust extracurricular programs including championship athletics, competitive robotics, and extensive arts offerings. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, NDCL provides personalized attention and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate.
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Andrews Osborne Academy
Independent Day and Boarding School
Andrews Osborne Academy is an independent coeducational day and boarding school serving students from preschool through grade 12. As an International Baccalaureate World School, AOA offers the IB Diploma Programme alongside Advanced Placement courses. The 300-acre campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, riding stables, and arts centers. The school emphasizes global education with diverse student body and offers unique programs in equestrian studies, performing arts, and STEM. With small class sizes and individualized attention, AOA prepares students for top colleges worldwide while fostering intellectual curiosity and personal growth through its comprehensive academic and extracurricular programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Chardon, Ohio
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Chardon, Ohio?
Chardon, located in Geauga County, offers access to several highly-regarded private schools. The most prominent are Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School (NDCL) in nearby Chardon Township, a co-ed Catholic high school; Andrews Osborne Academy (AOA) in Willoughby, a Pre-K through 12 independent day and boarding school; and University School's Hunting Valley campus, an all-boys day school for grades 9-12. While University School and AOA are not within Chardon's city limits, they are major educational institutions that serve the broader Northeast Ohio region, including Chardon families. Local Catholic elementary options, such as St. Mary's in Chardon, also feed into NDCL.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Chardon, Ohio area compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition in the Chardon area varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School's high school tuition is approximately $15,000, with parish subsidies available for active Catholic families. Andrews Osborne Academy's day student tuition ranges from around $20,000 for lower grades to over $30,000 for upper school. University School's tuition is similarly premium, exceeding $35,000 for upper school. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and Ohio-specific programs like the EdChoice Scholarship (income-based and performance-based) can be applied to state-approved private schools, potentially reducing costs for eligible families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs distinguish the private schools accessible from Chardon, Ohio?
The private schools serving Chardon offer distinct specializations. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin provides a strong college-prep curriculum within a faith-based framework and notable arts and athletics programs. Andrews Osborne Academy is unique for its International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for grades 11-12, a robust equestrian program, and boarding options that attract a diverse student body. University School is renowned for its rigorous academic environment, exceptional faculty, and extensive offerings in robotics, entrepreneurship, and outdoor leadership. For Chardon families, these specialized programs provide alternatives to the public school curriculum, with a focus on global perspectives, leadership, and personalized education.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like NDCL, University School, and Andrews Osborne Academy for a student from Chardon?
The process is competitive and begins early. For fall entry, families should start researching in the summer before the application year (e.g., summer before 8th grade for high school). Key steps include: attending open houses (often held in the fall), submitting applications by January deadlines, completing entrance exams (like the HSPT for NDCL or the ISEE/SSAT for AOA and University School), and participating in student interviews and shadow days. Admissions decisions are typically released in February or March. It's crucial to apply to multiple schools, as spaces, especially at the most selective institutions, are limited. Transportation from Chardon is a consideration, as some schools offer bus service for a fee.
For a family living in Chardon, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school district to the area's private school options?
Chardon Local Schools is a highly-rated public district, so the decision often hinges on specific family values and needs. Key considerations include: **Educational Approach:** Private schools offer specific philosophies (e.g., Catholic, independent college-prep, IB) and often smaller class sizes. **Cost:** Public schools are tax-funded, while private tuition is a direct, significant expense (though aid is available). **Community & Environment:** Chardon Schools offer a tight-knit, local community. Private schools provide a regionally drawn, often more socio-economically diverse peer group. **Logistics:** Chardon public schools provide centralized, local transportation. Private schools may require lengthy commutes to Hunting Valley, Willoughby, or Chardon Township, impacting daily schedules. Ultimately, the choice depends on the desired academic rigor, values alignment, and investment in a specialized educational environment.