The Best Private Schools in Glendale, Rhode Island
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Glendale. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary Academy - Bay View
Sisters of Mercy
St. Mary Academy - Bay View is an independent Catholic school for young women in grades Pre-K through 12, located approximately 20 minutes from Glendale. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, the academy offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional STEM programs, extensive arts education, and competitive athletic teams. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a strong emphasis on leadership development and community service, Bay View maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and offers extensive Advanced Placement and honors courses.
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The Wheeler School
Independent
The Wheeler School is a highly regarded independent day school serving students from nursery through grade 12, located approximately 25 minutes from Glendale. Known for its innovative Aerie program that integrates arts across the curriculum, Wheeler offers exceptional academic preparation with small class sizes and personalized attention. The campus features modern academic buildings, extensive arts facilities, athletic fields, and a nature preserve. The school emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship, with strong college placement records and numerous extracurricular opportunities including competitive sports teams and extensive arts programs.
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Moses Brown School
Independent Quaker School
Moses Brown School is one of New England's oldest and most prestigious independent schools, located approximately 25 minutes from Glendale. As a Friends (Quaker) school, it emphasizes inquiry-based learning, community values, and social responsibility. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program with strong STEM offerings, extensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The 33-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science centers, arts buildings, athletic fields, and a recently renovated lower school. With a focus on developing the whole child, Moses Brown maintains small class sizes and offers numerous Advanced Placement courses and extracurricular activities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Glendale, Rhode Island
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Glendale, Rhode Island, and what are their educational approaches?
While Glendale itself is a village within Burrillville, RI, families typically look to the broader Providence metro area for top-tier private schools. The schools you mentioned, like Moses Brown School (Friends/Quaker, Providence), The Wheeler School (progressive college prep, Providence), and St. Mary Academy - Bay View (all-girls, Catholic, Riverside), are all within a 30-45 minute commute. Closer options might include The Gordon School in East Providence or smaller parochial schools in nearby Woonsocket or Cumberland. It's important for Glendale parents to consider the daily commute to Providence or East Bay schools as a key factor in their decision.
How does tuition at Rhode Island's top private schools compare, and are there state-specific financial aid resources for Glendale residents?
Tuition for the leading Providence-area day schools like Wheeler and Moses Brown often ranges from approximately $40,000 to $50,000+ for the upper grades. St. Mary Academy - Bay View is typically somewhat lower, reflecting its parochial affiliation. All these schools offer substantial need-based financial aid. For Rhode Island residents, the state offers the "Rhode Island School Choice" program, which provides a tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations that fund private school tuition for eligible students. Additionally, the "Children's Scholarship Fund Rhode Island" is a local nonprofit that provides partial tuition assistance to lower-income families, which Glendale residents can apply for.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Glendale, RI, offer that leverage the local environment or culture?
Schools in the region often integrate Rhode Island's rich historical, marine, and artistic resources into their programs. For example, Moses Brown's extensive sustainability initiatives connect with local environmental organizations and farms. The Wheeler School's arts program frequently collaborates with Providence's vibrant arts scene, including RISD and Trinity Rep. St. Mary Academy - Bay View emphasizes STEM with a social justice lens, often engaging with community projects in the greater Providence area. For a Glendale student interested in outdoor education, some schools offer programs that utilize the state's parks and coastline for ecological studies and leadership training.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Providence area, and how far in advance should Glendale families prepare?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For entry into most grades, especially key entry points like Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades, families should start researching schools 18-24 months in advance. The formal application cycle for the following academic year usually opens in August or September, with deadlines for applications and financial aid requests typically falling between January and February. This includes submitting standardized test scores (like the ISEE or SSAT), school records, teacher recommendations, and attending a family interview and student visit. Given the commute from Glendale, demonstrating genuine interest through campus visits is crucial.
For a family in Glendale, what are the practical considerations when comparing the local public school system (Burrillville) to a private school in the Providence area?
This decision hinges on logistics, cost, and educational philosophy. Burrillville Public Schools are well-regarded in Rhode Island, offering a solid, community-centered K-12 education without tuition or a long commute. Choosing a Providence-area private school involves a significant daily time investment for transportation (often 1-2 hours roundtrip) and a major financial commitment. The trade-off often includes smaller class sizes, specialized academic or arts programs, different religious or philosophical foundations, and potentially more extensive college counseling resources. Many Glendale families who choose private schools do so for a specific educational mission (e.g., Quaker values at Moses Brown) or program not available locally, weighing it against the benefits of their strong hometown school system.
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