The Best Private Schools in North Royalton, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in North Royalton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Lawrence School
Independent School for Neurodiverse Learners
Lawrence School specializes in educating students with learning differences and attention challenges, serving grades 1-12 with two campuses in Broadview Heights (just minutes from North Royalton). The school provides individualized instruction, small class sizes, and comprehensive support services while maintaining high academic standards. Their evidence-based approach helps students develop critical thinking, self-advocacy, and executive functioning skills. The Upper School campus offers college preparatory curriculum with 100% of graduates accepted to college.
Programs:
Gilmour Academy
Independent Catholic School
Gilmour Academy is a premier independent Catholic school serving students from Montessori through high school. Located just 15 minutes from North Royalton, it offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities including a new STEM wing, and extensive athletic and arts programs. The 144-acre campus features modern academic buildings, multiple athletic facilities, and comprehensive arts spaces. With a focus on character development and academic excellence, Gilmour consistently sends graduates to top-tier universities.
Programs:
St. Albert the Great School
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Located directly in North Royalton, St. Albert the Great School provides a comprehensive Catholic education for students in preschool through 8th grade. The school features modern facilities including dedicated STEM and computer labs, art and music rooms, and a full gymnasium. The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, with strong preparation for area Catholic high schools. Extracurricular offerings include sports, clubs, and community service opportunities, creating a well-rounded educational experience for local families.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in North Royalton, Ohio
What are the primary private school options serving families in North Royalton, Ohio, and what are their key characteristics?
North Royalton itself is home to a few parochial schools, but the broader area offers several highly-regarded private institutions. The most prominent nearby options include **St. Albert the Great School** (K-8 Catholic), located right in North Royalton. For secondary education, families often look to **Gilmour Academy** (PreK-12, Catholic, independent, college-prep) in Gates Mills and **Lawrence School** (1-12, specialized for students with learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD) in Broadview Heights. These schools offer distinct educational philosophies, from traditional Catholic education to specialized learning support, all within a reasonable commute from North Royalton.
How does tuition for private schools in the North Royalton, Ohio area compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and grade level. For the 2023-2024 academic year, area schools like **St. Albert the Great** typically have lower tuition due to parish subsidies, often ranging from $5,000-$7,000 for parishioners. **Gilmour Academy's** upper school tuition exceeds $30,000, while **Lawrence School's** specialized programming is also in a higher tuition bracket. Importantly, Ohio offers state-funded scholarship programs that can greatly assist families. The **EdChoice Expansion Scholarship** (income-based) and the **EdChoice Scholarship** (for students assigned to lower-performing public schools) can be applied to private school tuition, making these options more accessible to North Royalton residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near North Royalton, Ohio offer that differentiate them?
Schools in this region provide specialized programs that cater to diverse student needs. **Gilmour Academy** features a robust Montessori program for younger students, extensive AP and honors tracks, and notable athletics (hockey, lacrosse) and arts programs. **Lawrence School** is uniquely designed around a research-based model for students with learning differences, offering small classes, Orton-Gillingham based literacy instruction, and executive function coaching. **St. Albert the Great** provides a strong faith-based foundation with standard extracurriculars. This concentration of options means North Royalton parents can find schools with specific strengths in college prep, specialized learning support, or faith integration.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the North Royalton, Ohio area?
Timelines are crucial as spaces, especially in popular schools, are limited. Most private schools in the Cleveland suburbs, including those serving North Royalton, begin their application processes in the fall (September-October) for the following academic year. **Gilmour Academy** and **Lawrence School** often have financial aid and scholarship deadlines in early winter (January/February). Open houses typically occur in the fall. For **St. Albert the Great**, priority is often given to parish members and siblings of current students. We strongly recommend initiating inquiries by the start of a child's pre-K year for lower school or two years prior for high school entry, as some grades have waiting lists.
For a family in North Royalton's highly-rated public school district, what are the compelling reasons to consider a private school?
While North Royalton City Schools are well-regarded, families often seek private options for specific educational philosophies or needs. Reasons include: 1) **Specialized Learning Environments**: Schools like Lawrence offer targeted support for learning differences that may not be as intensive in a large public district. 2) **Religious Education**: A faith-based curriculum at schools like St. Albert the Great or Gilmour. 3) **Differentiated College Preparation**: Gilmour Academy offers a rigorous, independent school track with extensive college counseling networks. 4) **Smaller Class Sizes**: Consistently lower student-to-teacher ratios for more individualized attention. The decision often hinges on matching a child's specific learning style, values, or academic goals with a school's specialized mission.
Private Education Insights
Understanding K-12 Private Academy Costs in North Royalton, Ohio: A Parent's Guide
For parents in North Royalton considering the significant investment in a private education, understanding the full scope of k12 private academy cost is the essential first step in your journey. It’s more than just tuition; it’s about evaluating the long-term value for your child within our local community. The landscape here offers a range of options, from prestigious independent schools like Gilmour Academy in nearby Gates Mills to specialized institutions such as the Lawrence School in Broadview Heights, which focuses on students with learning differences, and parish-based schools like St. Albert the Great in North Royalton itself. Each carries a different price tag and a distinct educational promise.
The published tuition is your starting point. For the 2024-2025 academic year, you can expect a broad range. A K-12 independent school like Gilmour Academy may have tuition that exceeds $20,000 annually for upper grades, reflecting its extensive college-prep programs, arts, and athletics. The Lawrence School, providing a specialized, supportive environment, operates within a similar high investment range. More locally, St. Albert the Great, serving preschool through 8th grade, typically presents a more accessible tuition structure, often between $5,000 and $8,000, which is common for many Cleveland-area Catholic schools. It’s crucial to remember that these figures rarely represent the final k12 private academy cost.
The true financial picture includes mandatory fees for technology, activities, and facilities, which can add $1,000 to $3,000 or more. For day schools, before and after-care is a necessary budget line for many working families in North Royalton. Then consider the annual costs for uniforms, books, field trips, and, as children grow, participation in sports, arts, or clubs. For high school students, expenses for AP exams, college application fees, and transportation to a school outside our district become relevant. Planning for these ancillary costs from the outset prevents unexpected strain on the family budget.
Thankfully, a holistic view of k12 private academy cost must include the robust financial aid and scholarship opportunities available. Most schools, including those mentioned, have substantial need-based financial aid programs. Gilmour Academy, for instance, awards millions in aid annually. The State of Ohio also offers programs like the EdChoice Scholarship, which can provide significant tuition assistance based on income or your assigned public school building’s performance rating—a key local consideration for North Royalton families. Additionally, many schools offer merit scholarships and parish subsidies for active church members at schools like St. Albert. The key is to apply early and communicate directly with the admissions office; they are your best resource for navigating affordability.
Ultimately, evaluating the k12 private academy cost is about measuring investment against return. For North Royalton parents, this means considering not just the outstanding academics but also the smaller class sizes, values-based education, and specific community each school fosters. It’s about finding the environment where your child will thrive. We recommend scheduling tours, asking detailed questions about both tuition and total cost of attendance, and having open conversations about financial planning. The right private education is an investment in your child’s future, and with careful research, it can be an attainable and profoundly rewarding one for your family.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities