The Best Private Schools in Cumberland, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Cumberland. 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 Columbus Catholic Schools
St. Thomas Aquinas School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving students from Cumberland and surrounding communities. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with a strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years teaching experience, competitive athletic programs, and robust fine arts offerings. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and consistently prepares students for success in high school and beyond.
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Newark Catholic High School
Diocese of Columbus Catholic Schools
Newark Catholic High School is a regional Catholic high school that serves students from Cumberland and Licking County areas. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with specialized programs in STEM, business, and fine arts. Features include state-of-the-art science laboratories, competitive athletic programs with multiple state championships, and comprehensive college counseling services. The school emphasizes service learning and character development while maintaining small class sizes and personalized attention. Over 98% of graduates pursue higher education at colleges and universities nationwide.
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Cambridge Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Cambridge Christian Academy serves families from Cumberland and Guernsey County with a comprehensive K-12 Christian education program. The school emphasizes academic rigor within a faith-based environment, offering college preparatory courses, advanced placement options, and comprehensive extracurricular activities. Facilities include science laboratories, computer labs, gymnasium, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains accreditation and is known for its strong community involvement and high college acceptance rates among graduates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Cumberland, Ohio
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Cumberland, Ohio?
Cumberland itself is a small village, so most private school options are located in nearby communities. The primary schools serving Cumberland families include St. Thomas Aquinas School (a K-8 Catholic school in nearby Zanesville), Cambridge Christian Academy (a K-12 Christian school in Cambridge, about 20 minutes away), and Newark Catholic High School (in Newark, roughly a 30-minute drive). These schools represent the main religious-affiliated private options accessible to Cumberland residents, with no secular private schools immediately in the village. Transportation is a key consideration, as most will require a family-provided commute.
How does the tuition for private schools near Cumberland, OH, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for private schools in the Cumberland area is generally below the average for major Ohio cities but aligns with rural/small-town southeastern Ohio. For the 2023-2024 school year, area K-8 schools like St. Thomas Aquinas often have tuition in the $4,000-$6,000 range, while high schools like Newark Catholic can be $8,000-$10,000. Ohio offers two significant financial aid programs: the EdChoice Scholarship (voucher) for students from designated low-performing public school districts or based on family income, and the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship. Additionally, most local private schools offer parish subsidies for active church members, multi-child discounts, and need-based institutional aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Cumberland area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools near Cumberland leverage their smaller size and specific missions to offer distinctive programs. Newark Catholic High School emphasizes a college-prep curriculum with a strong tradition in athletics and faith-based service learning. Cambridge Christian Academy integrates a biblical worldview throughout its curriculum and may offer more flexible, personalized learning tracks. St. Thomas Aquinas provides a structured, faith-centered K-8 environment with dedicated sacramental preparation. A common differentiator is the emphasis on character and religious education, which is not offered in public schools. Their smaller class sizes also allow for more individual student attention compared to the larger regional public school districts.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools serving Cumberland, Ohio families?
The process typically begins in the winter prior to the desired fall enrollment. For schools like St. Thomas Aquinas and Newark Catholic, priority is often given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of supporting Catholic churches, with open registration beginning in January or February. Cambridge Christian Academy may have a rolling admissions process but encourages early application. Key steps include submitting an application, providing academic records, a family interview, and often a placement assessment. For families seeking Ohio EdChoice vouchers, the state application window usually opens in February. It's crucial to contact the specific school directly, as spaces, especially in certain grades, can be limited.
For a family in Cumberland, what are the major practical considerations when choosing between the local public school (Buckeye Trail Local Schools) and a private school option?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Commute:** Buckeye Trail schools are the designated public district, with busing available throughout the Cumberland area. Private schools require a daily commute to Zanesville, Cambridge, or Newark. **Cost:** Public school is tuition-free. Private school requires tuition, though vouchers may offset costs. **Environment:** Buckeye Trail offers a comprehensive K-12 community, diverse extracurriculars, and standard public school curricula. Private schools offer a specific religious and value-based environment with typically smaller class sizes. **Academic Focus:** Private schools in this area are uniformly college-preparatory, while Buckeye Trail offers a broader range of tracks, including career-technical programs through the nearby Muskingum Valley Career Center. Many Cumberland families value the community cohesion of the local public school, while others seek the religious formation and focused academic environment of the private options.