The Best Private Schools in Shawnee, Oklahoma
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Shawnee. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Heritage Hall
Independent School
Heritage Hall is one of Oklahoma's premier independent schools serving the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area, including Shawnee families. The school offers a rigorous academic program featuring both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses across all grade levels. With exceptional faculty credentials, state-of-the-art facilities, and championship-caliber athletic programs, Heritage Hall consistently ranks among the top private schools in the region. The school emphasizes character development, leadership training, and community service while maintaining small class sizes and personalized attention. Extensive transportation services and financial aid programs make it accessible to qualified students from Shawnee.
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Crossings Christian School
Crossings Community Church
Crossings Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school located in nearby Oklahoma City that serves families throughout the Shawnee area. The school offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum from Pre-K through 12th grade with advanced placement courses, dual credit opportunities, and a robust fine arts program. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. The school emphasizes spiritual development alongside academic excellence, with strong parent satisfaction ratings and numerous national merit scholars among graduates. Transportation options make it accessible to Shawnee residents.
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St. Gregory's Catholic School
Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
St. Gregory's Catholic School provides a comprehensive faith-based education serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a Catholic tradition, featuring small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong community atmosphere. Programs include advanced STEM curriculum, comprehensive fine arts, religious education, and competitive athletics. The school maintains modern facilities and offers extensive extracurricular activities including robotics, music programs, and community service opportunities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and strong academic foundation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Shawnee, Oklahoma
What are the primary private school options available for families in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Shawnee, OK, offers a few key private school options, each with distinct characteristics. St. Gregory's Catholic School provides a faith-based, Pre-K through 8th-grade education rooted in Catholic values. Crossings Christian School, while located in Oklahoma City, is a popular choice for many Shawnee families seeking a rigorous, college-preparatory Christian education from Pre-K through 12th grade, involving a commute. Heritage Hall, also in Oklahoma City, is a prestigious, independent college-preparatory day school known for its academic excellence and extensive extracurriculars. Within Shawnee proper, St. Gregory's is the main local option, while families often consider the Oklahoma City schools for expanded grade levels and programs.
How does tuition for private schools in the Shawnee, Oklahoma, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Shawnee area varies significantly. St. Gregory's Catholic School, as a parish-supported institution, generally has lower tuition rates, often ranging between $5,000-$7,000 annually, which is below the state average for private schools. In contrast, schools like Crossings Christian and Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City have higher tuition, often exceeding $15,000-$20,000+ per year, aligning with or exceeding the state average for elite preparatory schools. Financial aid is commonly available through need-based scholarships, parish subsidies (for Catholic schools), and Oklahoma's state-sponsored programs like the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship, which provides tax credits for donations funding private school scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Shawnee students offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools serving Shawnee families often emphasize specialized programs not always available in public districts. Crossings Christian School and Heritage Hall offer extensive Advanced Placement (AP) and honors tracks, world language immersion at younger grades, and robust fine arts and athletic facilities. St. Gregory's Catholic School integrates religious education and character formation into its daily curriculum, a distinct focus from public schools. Additionally, these private schools often have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention. A unique local consideration is the proximity to Oklahoma City, which allows Shawnee students access to private schools with state-of-the-art STEM labs, competitive sports leagues, and partnerships with local universities.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in and around Shawnee, Oklahoma?
Enrollment timelines for Shawnee-area private schools are crucial due to limited seats. For St. Gregory's in Shawnee, the process often begins in early spring for the following fall, with priority given to parish members and siblings. The major Oklahoma City schools like Crossings Christian and Heritage Hall have much earlier and more competitive processes, often requiring applications by January or February, with entrance testing, interviews, and student assessments. It's highly recommended for Shawnee parents to begin research and campus visits a full year in advance, especially for the OKC schools, as waiting lists are common. Many schools also host open houses in the fall.
For a family living in Shawnee, what are the key considerations when choosing between a local private school like St. Gregory's and commuting to a larger Oklahoma City private school?
The decision hinges on several Shawnee-specific factors. Choosing local St. Gregory's eliminates a significant daily commute (30-45+ minutes each way to OKC), saving time and reducing transportation costs. It also fosters a community-centric, neighborhood school environment through 8th grade. Commuting to an OKC school like Crossings Christian or Heritage Hall provides access to a broader range of academic tracks, extracurricular activities, sports teams, and a continuous K-12 education. Parents must weigh the value of a shorter day and deeper local roots against the perceived academic and preparatory advantages of the larger institutions, considering the long-term commitment of the commute through high school.
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