The Best Private Schools in Lagrange, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lagrange. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Old Phoenix Village School
Independent Private School
Old Phoenix Village School offers a unique classical education model serving students from Lagrange and surrounding rural communities. Located just minutes from Lagrange, this independent school provides small class sizes with personalized attention and a curriculum emphasizing classical literature, Socratic discussion, and hands-on learning. The school features a nature-rich campus with outdoor classrooms and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence. Programs include comprehensive arts education, foreign language instruction, and enrichment activities that complement the classical curriculum. The school maintains strong parent satisfaction through its community-focused approach and individualized student support.
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Elyria Catholic High School
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Elyria Catholic High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving students throughout Lorain County, including the Lagrange area. Founded in 1948, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 16 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities including championship athletic teams. The school features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, students receive personalized attention and strong college counseling support, with graduates consistently attending top universities nationwide.
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St. Mary School
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
St. Mary School serves students from preschool through 8th grade from Lagrange and surrounding communities. The school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations, including integrated technology, Spanish language instruction from elementary grades, and comprehensive STEAM programs. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, and dedicated spaces for art and music. The school emphasizes character development and community service while offering extensive extracurricular activities including sports, clubs, and enrichment programs. Parents consistently praise the caring faculty and strong sense of community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lagrange, Ohio
What are the main private school options available for families living in or near Lagrange, Ohio?
While Lagrange itself is a small village, families have access to several well-regarded private schools in the surrounding Lorain County area. The most prominent options include Elyria Catholic High School (grades 9-12) in nearby Elyria, St. Mary School (pre-K through 8) in Elyria, and Old Phoenix Village School (a private, non-sectarian school for grades K-8) in the adjacent town of Wellington. For Lagrange residents, these schools typically require a short commute. It's important to note that there are no private high schools physically located within the village of Lagrange, making Elyria Catholic the primary option for secondary education.
How does the enrollment process and timeline for private schools like Elyria Catholic and St. Mary School work for Lagrange residents?
The enrollment process for Lagrange students is generally aligned with the schools' standard timelines, but planning ahead is key due to geographic demand. For parish-affiliated schools like St. Mary, registration for the upcoming academic year often opens in January or February for existing families and then to new families, with priority given to active parish members. Elyria Catholic High School typically hosts open houses in the fall for prospective 8th graders, with application deadlines in the winter for the following fall semester. As a Lagrange parent, you should initiate contact with these schools a full year in advance, especially if seeking transportation or financial aid, as some districts may offer limited service to private schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving the Lagrange area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Lagrange vicinity offer distinct programs that cater to specific educational philosophies. Elyria Catholic High School provides a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum rooted in Catholic values, along with robust athletic programs in the North Coast League. St. Mary School offers a faith-based education with an emphasis on community service and character development. Old Phoenix Village School in Wellington is notable for its progressive, project-based learning environment and multi-age classrooms, which is a unique alternative to traditional public school structure. These schools often have smaller class sizes than the public Midview or Keystone Local school districts, allowing for more individualized attention.
What are the typical tuition costs and are there any Ohio-specific financial aid programs available for Lagrange families considering private school?
Tuition varies significantly among the schools accessible to Lagrange families. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $5,000-$8,000 for elementary grades at St. Mary School and over $10,000 for high school at Elyria Catholic. Old Phoenix Village School has its own tuition structure, which is best obtained directly from the school. Critically for Ohio residents, the state's EdChoice Scholarship Program is a major financial aid resource. This program provides vouchers based on either family income or the performance rating of your assigned public school building. Many Lagrange-area families qualify, significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, all these schools offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for active members.
For a family in Lagrange, what are the key logistical considerations, like transportation, when choosing a private school outside the village?
Transportation is a primary logistical factor for Lagrange residents. The Keystone Local School District, which serves Lagrange, may provide state-required transportation to private schools within a certain radius (typically up to 30 minutes away), but this is not guaranteed and requires annual arrangement. Parents should contact the Keystone transportation department directly to confirm routes to Elyria or Wellington. Many families form carpools. Other key considerations include the daily commute time on rural Lorain County roads, alignment of school calendars and start/end times with your schedule, and involvement in after-school activities, which may require multiple trips. Evaluating the school community's geographic dispersion can also impact social connections and ease of participation in events.