The Best Private Schools in Minford, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Minford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Notre Dame Elementary School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Notre Dame Elementary School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Minford and greater Portsmouth area. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on faith-based learning, academic excellence, and character development. Features modern facilities, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years teaching experience, and robust extracurricular programs including competitive sports, music, and art. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, small class sizes, and strong community values. The curriculum integrates technology with traditional learning methods and maintains high academic standards.
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Portsmouth STEM Academy
Independent
Portsmouth STEM Academy is an innovative private school serving students from Minford and surrounding Scioto County communities. The school specializes in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education with hands-on, project-based learning approaches. Serving grades K-8 with small class sizes averaging 15 students, the academy features state-of-the-art technology labs, robotics programs, and partnerships with local industries. Known for its rigorous academic standards and preparing students for high school STEM pathways. Parents report high satisfaction with the engaging curriculum and dedicated teaching staff who hold advanced degrees in their respective fields.
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St. Mary Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus
St. Mary Catholic School provides a faith-based private education to students from Minford and the Portsmouth region. The school offers Pre-K through 8th grade education with a balanced curriculum that emphasizes both academic achievement and spiritual development. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated computer lab, library resources, and comprehensive athletic programs. The school maintains small student-teacher ratios and has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and strong community involvement. Parents appreciate the family atmosphere, consistent communication, and the school's commitment to developing well-rounded students prepared for high school success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Minford, Ohio
What are the private school options specifically within or directly serving the Minford, Ohio community?
Minford itself is a smaller village, so most private schools serving the area are located in nearby communities within Scioto County. The primary options include Notre Dame Elementary School (Portsmouth), which feeds into Notre Dame High School, and St. Mary Catholic School (Portsmouth). Additionally, the public charter Portsmouth STEM Academy, while not a traditional private school, is a prominent tuition-free alternative to Minford Local School District. There are no traditional private school campuses physically located within Minford village limits, so transportation to Portsmouth (a 15-20 minute drive) is a key consideration for families.
How does tuition for private schools near Minford, OH compare, and are there Ohio-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition for schools like Notre Dame and St. Mary Catholic School typically ranges from approximately $4,000 to $6,000 per year for elementary students, with parishioner discounts often available. A significant Ohio-specific financial aid resource is the EdChoice Scholarship Program. This program provides state-funded vouchers to eligible students, which can be used at participating private schools. Eligibility is often based on the assigned public school building's performance or family income. Both Notre Dame and St. Mary are likely EdChoice participating schools, making them more accessible to Minford-area families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Minford, OH area offer that differ from Minford Local Schools?
The private options near Minford provide distinct educational environments. The Catholic schools (Notre Dame and St. Mary) offer a faith-based curriculum integrated with daily instruction, which is the core differentiator. Portsmouth STEM Academy, as a public charter, focuses intensely on science, technology, engineering, and math through a project-based learning model, which may appeal to students with strong interests in those fields. In contrast, Minford Local Schools offer a comprehensive public education with robust athletic programs and vocational pathways at the high school level. The choice often centers on religious education, specific pedagogical approaches, or smaller class sizes.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Notre Dame or St. Mary for a family moving to Minford?
Enrollment for the upcoming academic year at these schools often begins in January or February, with priority frequently given to existing families and parish members. However, they typically accept applications year-round if space is available. The process usually involves submitting an application, providing birth and baptismal certificates (for Catholic schools), academic records from the previous school, and possibly a family interview. For families moving to Minford mid-year, it's essential to contact the school's admissions office directly, as they may have rolling admission. We recommend contacting the schools by early fall to ensure a spot for the following August.
For a family living in Minford, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation to private schools in Portsmouth?
This is a crucial logistical factor. Neither Notre Dame nor St. Mary Catholic School typically provides district-wide bus transportation from Minford. Families are generally responsible for arranging their own transportation, which involves a daily commute of about 10-15 miles each way to Portsmouth. Some families form carpools. Conversely, as a public charter school, Portsmouth STEM Academy may provide state-funded transportation from designated pickup points within its service district, which may include stops in the Minford area. Clarifying transportation options and costs should be a key part of the decision-making process when considering these schools.