The Best Private Schools in South Webster, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in South Webster. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Notre Dame Schools
Notre Dame Schools
Notre Dame Schools is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the greater Portsmouth area, including South Webster. The institution offers comprehensive education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. The school features modern facilities, including science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. Notable for its small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong community values, Notre Dame consistently produces graduates who excel in higher education. The school offers extensive extracurricular activities including competitive sports teams, robotics, and arts programs.
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St. Mary Elementary School
St. Mary Catholic Church
St. Mary Elementary School provides exceptional private education for students in preschool through 8th grade, serving families throughout Lawrence County and surrounding areas including South Webster. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring updated technology resources, dedicated specialty teachers for art and music, and a strong focus on foundational skills. Parents consistently praise the nurturing environment, experienced teachers, and comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for high school success. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community connections.
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St. Peter School
St. Peter Catholic Church
St. Peter School in Wheelersburg serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade and draws families from throughout Scioto County, including South Webster. The school is known for its strong academic program that integrates technology and traditional learning methods. Features include modern classrooms, computer labs, library resources, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and offers a well-rounded education including music, art, and physical education. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's commitment to academic excellence and character development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in South Webster, Ohio
What are the private school options for families living in South Webster, Ohio, and are they all religiously affiliated?
In South Webster, Ohio, the primary private school options are all Catholic institutions: Notre Dame Schools (a combined junior high and high school), St. Mary Elementary School, and St. Peter School. These schools serve the broader Scioto County area, with many families from South Webster commuting to Portsmouth for these programs. There are no secular private day schools within South Webster itself, so families seeking a non-religious private education typically need to look at boarding schools or longer commutes to cities like Chillicothe or Ashland, Kentucky. The local Catholic schools are well-established and often serve as a central community for many families in the region.
How does tuition at South Webster area private schools compare, and are there Ohio-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition for the Catholic schools serving South Webster families varies. For the 2024-2025 school year, elementary tuition at St. Mary or St. Peter is typically around $4,000-$5,500 per student, while Notre Dame High School tuition is higher, often exceeding $7,000. Critically, Ohio offers two major state-funded scholarship programs that significantly aid affordability: the EdChoice Scholarship (based on household income or residing in a lower-performing public school district) and the Autism Scholarship. Many families at these schools utilize EdChoice, which can cover a substantial portion of tuition. Additionally, the schools themselves and the Catholic Diocese of Columbus offer need-based aid and parish subsidy programs for active members.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving South Webster, Ohio, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools in the South Webster area emphasize a faith-based education integrated into all subjects, which is their core differentiator. Academically, Notre Dame High School offers a notable STEM program and college credit plus courses through Shawnee State University. For younger students, St. Mary and St. Peter provide strong foundational programs with smaller class sizes. Extracurricularly, these schools offer unique opportunities like Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) sports through tight-knit teams, academic challenge teams, and specific clubs like robotics at Notre Dame. Their defining feature is a consistent moral framework throughout the curriculum, which appeals to many families in the community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for schools like Notre Dame, St. Mary, or St. Peter for a family moving to South Webster?
Enrollment for these schools is typically open in the early spring (January-March) for the following academic year, with priority often given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of supporting Catholic churches. For families moving to South Webster mid-year, contacting the school office directly is essential, as spots may be available. The process involves submitting an application, providing birth and baptismal certificates (if applicable), academic records, and often a family interview. It's highly recommended to schedule a tour, as these schools are community-oriented and want to ensure a good fit. Given the limited number of seats per grade, initiating contact as soon as possible is crucial.
For a South Webster resident, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation and community involvement when choosing a local private school?
A key practical consideration is transportation. South Webster Local School District is not required to provide busing to private schools outside its boundaries, so families are generally responsible for transporting students to Portsmouth for Notre Dame, St. Mary, or St. Peter. This involves a daily commute of about 15-20 minutes each way. Carpooling with other South Webster families is common. Regarding community, enrolling in these schools often means integrating into the Portsmouth-based Catholic community, which includes weekend Mass and school events. While this expands your social network, it requires active participation. The trade-off is a close-knit, values-aligned environment, but it does mean your child's school friends may not be their immediate South Webster neighbors.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated K-12 Private Schools Near South Webster, Ohio
As a parent in South Webster, Ohio, the search for the right educational environment for your child is deeply personal and profoundly important. When you type "k 12 private schools near me" into your search bar, you're looking for more than just a list of names; you're seeking a community, a philosophy, and a partner in your child's development. Here in Scioto County, the landscape of private education offers distinct choices that blend strong academics with the values many local families hold dear. The journey often begins with understanding what makes our local options unique and how they can align with your family's goals.
South Webster is fortunate to have access to several well-regarded private institutions, each with its own character and history. Notre Dame Schools in Portsmouth provides a comprehensive, faith-based K-12 continuum, which is a significant advantage for families seeking consistency and a single, cohesive community throughout their child's entire academic journey. For younger students, St. Mary Elementary School in Portsmouth and St. Peter School in Wheelersburg offer foundational programs rooted in Catholic tradition, emphasizing not only literacy and numeracy but also character formation. These schools are not just "near you" in a geographic sense; they are woven into the fabric of our regional community, often drawing students from South Webster and surrounding towns who share a commitment to a values-driven education.
When evaluating "k 12 private schools near me," local parents should consider the practicalities of daily life in our area. Transportation, for instance, is a key factor. While these schools are within a reasonable commute, understanding carpool possibilities or available bus services can be crucial for long-term planning. Another local consideration is the strong sense of community these schools foster. In a smaller community like ours, the relationships formed in these classrooms often extend to weekend sports, church activities, and local events, creating a supportive network for both children and parents. It’s also wise to inquire about how each school incorporates technology and prepares students for the future while maintaining the close-knit, personal attention that is a hallmark of private education here.
The decision ultimately comes down to fit. We encourage you to move beyond the initial search and immerse your family in the experience. Schedule visits to Notre Dame, St. Mary, and St. Peter. Observe the classrooms, speak with teachers and administrators, and, most importantly, talk to other parents from South Webster who have made the choice. Ask them about the transition, the community feel, and how the school's values resonate at home. The best answer to "k 12 private schools near me" is found not just in a brochure, but in the feeling you get when you walk the halls and envision your child thriving there. Investing time in this exploration is an investment in your child's confidence, their moral compass, and their academic future, right here in our own corner of Ohio.