The Best Private Schools in Spencerville, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Spencerville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Lima Central Catholic High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo
Lima Central Catholic High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving the Spencerville area and greater Lima region. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with advanced placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities including competitive athletics and fine arts. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, LCC provides personalized attention and strong community values. The school boasts excellent college acceptance rates and has maintained a reputation for academic excellence for over seven decades.
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St. Charles Borromeo School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo
St. Charles Borromeo School provides exceptional Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade, serving families throughout Allen County including Spencerville. The school features a comprehensive curriculum with strong emphasis on core academics, faith formation, and character development. Modern facilities include technology-integrated classrooms, science labs, and dedicated art and music spaces. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, experienced teachers, and strong sense of community. The school prepares students well for high school with excellent academic foundations.
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St. Gerard Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo
St. Gerard Catholic School offers a comprehensive kindergarten through 8th grade education with a strong academic and faith-based foundation. The school serves the broader Lima area including Spencerville families seeking quality private education. Features include modern classroom technology, dedicated science and computer labs, robust athletic programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and has a track record of preparing students for success in high school and beyond. Parent satisfaction is high with particular praise for the dedicated faculty and strong community atmosphere.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Spencerville, Ohio
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Spencerville, Ohio?
While Spencerville itself is a smaller village, families typically look to nearby Lima and the broader Allen County area for private K-12 education. The most prominent options include Lima Central Catholic High School (grades 9-12) and two elementary/middle schools: St. Charles Borromeo School and St. Gerard Catholic School, both in Lima. These schools serve the Spencerville community and provide a faith-based education. Transportation from Spencerville may be a consideration, as these schools are a 15-20 minute drive away. There are limited, if any, private school campuses physically located within Spencerville's village limits.
How does tuition at private schools like Lima Central Catholic compare to the Ohio state average, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition at Lima Central Catholic and the associated elementary schools is generally below the state average for private high schools in Ohio, reflecting the region's cost of living. For the 2024-2025 school year, LCC tuition is approximately $7,000-$8,000, while elementary grades are lower. Crucially, these schools participate in Ohio's state-funded scholarship programs, which can significantly reduce costs. Families in Spencerville may qualify for the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship (income-based) or the EdChoice Scholarship (based on resident public school building performance). Additionally, all three schools offer parish subsidies for active Catholic families and have their own need-based financial aid and payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Spencerville students offer?
Schools like Lima Central Catholic High School provide programs that leverage both their size and community partnerships. LCC offers college credit plus courses through partnerships with local colleges like The Ohio State University at Lima and Rhodes State College, allowing students to earn significant college credit. In athletics, LCC competes in the Northwest Conference against similar-sized schools, offering a classic small-school sports experience. St. Charles and St. Gerard schools emphasize foundational STEM and literacy programs integrated with Catholic values. A notable aspect for Spencerville families is the tight-knit community and character formation focus, which is a hallmark of these institutions in West Central Ohio.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a family from Spencerville looking at Lima Central Catholic or the feeder elementary schools?
The enrollment process for these schools begins early in the calendar year, with open houses typically held in January and February. Application deadlines for the following fall are often in March, though rolling admissions may continue if spaces are available. The process involves submitting an application, academic records from the current school (including Spencerville-Allen County's public school if transferring), and often a family interview. For kindergarten, many families register as early as the preceding fall. A key step for Spencerville residents is to simultaneously explore Ohio's EdChoice scholarship eligibility, as the application for state funds is separate and has its own deadlines, usually in the spring.
For a family in Spencerville, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school in Lima?
The decision involves several Spencerville-specific factors. Academically, Spencerville Local Schools is a well-regarded public district, so families often weigh the faith-based environment and smaller class sizes of the Lima private schools against the convenience and cost (free tuition) of the local public system. Logistically, commuting daily to Lima (approx. 12 miles) for private school requires reliable transportation, as bus service from Spencerville may not be provided. Financially, utilizing Ohio's EdChoice scholarships can make private school feasible. Culturally, some families value the continuity of a K-12 community in Spencerville, while others seek the broader network and college-prep focus of a regional Catholic school system like LCC and its feeders.