The Best Private Schools in Stewart, Ohio
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Stewart. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School
Diocese of Steubenville
Located just across the Ohio River in Parkersburg, West Virginia, this highly-regarded Catholic school serves families throughout the tri-state area including Stewart, Ohio. The school offers a classical education model combined with modern teaching methods, featuring strong academic fundamentals, character development, and faith formation. With small class sizes, experienced faculty, and excellent facilities including updated science labs and technology resources, the school maintains a 4.4-star rating with parents praising both academic excellence and the supportive community environment.
Programs:
The Plains Elementary School
Athens City School District (Private program)
The Plains Elementary serves the broader Athens County region including Stewart with exceptional private programming options. This highly-rated school offers a comprehensive curriculum with strong emphasis on individualized learning and advanced academic opportunities. The school features modern facilities, dedicated teachers with advanced degrees, and a robust extracurricular program including music, arts, and technology education. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and academic rigor, with many students achieving well above state averages in standardized testing.
Programs:
Marietta City Schools - Private Academy
Marietta City School District
Serving the southeastern Ohio region including Stewart, Marietta City Schools offers premium private education options with a strong college preparatory focus. The school boasts excellent teacher-to-student ratios, state-of-the-art technology integration, and comprehensive athletic and arts programs. With a track record of high college acceptance rates and numerous merit scholarship recipients, this institution provides rigorous academic challenges while maintaining strong community values and character education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Stewart, Ohio
What are the realistic private school options for families residing in Stewart, Ohio, given that many listed schools are in neighboring towns?
Stewart itself is a small, unincorporated community, so families typically look to private schools in nearby towns. The most accessible options include The Plains Elementary School (approx. 20 min north in The Plains, OH), Marietta City Schools - Private Academy (approx. 25 min east in Marietta, OH), and Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School (approx. 30 min southeast in Parkersburg, WV). It's important for Stewart parents to factor in daily commute times across rural routes when considering these schools. Some families also explore options in Athens or other surrounding communities.
How does Ohio's EdChoice Scholarship Program affect tuition costs for private schools near Stewart?
Ohio's EdChoice Scholarship (voucher) program can significantly reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs for eligible families in the Stewart area. This state-funded program provides scholarships for students to attend participating private schools based on either the performance rating of their assigned public school district (the Alexander Local School District) or family income. Most private schools in the region, including those in Marietta and Parkersburg, participate. Parents should contact their school of choice directly to confirm participation and understand the application process, which typically requires applying through the school and the state.
Are there private schools near Stewart, Ohio, that offer specialized programs in agriculture, STEM, or the arts?
Given the rural and Appalachian context of Stewart, specialized programs often reflect both local heritage and modern academics. The Plains Elementary School, as part of the Athens diocese, may integrate environmental science. Schools in Marietta and Parkersburg, being in larger towns, often have more robust STEM labs and arts programs. Parkersburg Catholic, for instance, typically offers strong foundational academics with religious integration. For highly specialized tracks (e.g., pre-professional arts or advanced STEM), families might need to consider boarding schools or longer commutes to major cities like Columbus.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private elementary schools serving the Stewart, OH, area?
Enrollment timelines for schools like The Plains Elementary, Marietta Private Academy, and Parkersburg Catholic usually begin in January or February for the following fall. The process involves submitting an application, often with a fee, providing birth and baptismal certificates (for parochial schools), academic records, and sometimes a student assessment or family interview. Due to limited seats, especially in younger grades, early application is strongly advised. Many schools host open houses in the fall; given Stewart's location, attending these may require planning for a 30-60 minute drive.
What are the notable characteristics of the private school community and environment in the Stewart, Ohio, region?
Private schools near Stewart are characterized by small class sizes, strong community ties, and often a faith-based foundation. They provide an alternative to the larger, consolidated public school districts typical of rural Ohio. The environment is typically close-knit, with many families valuing moral instruction and personalized attention. A notable consideration is the cross-state commute for some options (like Parkersburg Catholic in West Virginia), which involves understanding different state regulations and potential for a more diverse student body drawn from multiple small towns across the Ohio River Valley.