The Best Private Schools in Davis, South Dakota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Davis. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
All Saints Elementary School
Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
All Saints Elementary School provides outstanding private education for students in preschool through 8th grade, serving families across the region including Davis. With exceptional parent satisfaction ratings, the school offers a nurturing environment focused on academic excellence and Catholic values. The curriculum includes advanced technology integration, comprehensive literacy programs, and specialized instruction in music, art, and physical education. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and the dedicated faculty hold advanced degrees in their fields. The school features modern facilities including smart classrooms, science labs, and extensive playground areas designed for optimal learning and development.
Programs:
O'Gorman Catholic Schools
Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
O'Gorman Catholic Schools is a premier private school system serving southeastern South Dakota, including the Davis area. With over 70 years of educational excellence, O'Gorman offers comprehensive college preparatory programs from elementary through high school. The school features state-of-the-art STEM labs, extensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and a values-based education rooted in Catholic tradition. The campus includes modern science facilities, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes serving over 1,700 students.
Programs:
Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Independent Christian School
Sioux Falls Christian Schools has been providing exceptional Christ-centered education for six decades, serving families throughout southeastern South Dakota. The school offers comprehensive academic programs including Advanced Placement courses, robust fine arts curriculum, and competitive athletic teams. With a focus on developing students spiritually, academically, and socially, SFCS maintains small class sizes and personalized attention. The 40-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, performing arts facilities, and athletic complexes. The school consistently achieves high academic performance with graduates attending top colleges nationwide.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Davis, South Dakota
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Davis, South Dakota?
While Davis itself is a small town without a private school campus, families typically look to nearby Sioux Falls for private education. The most common options include O'Gorman Catholic Schools (a K-12 system), Sioux Falls Christian Schools (PreK-12), and All Saints Elementary School (a Catholic elementary). These schools are all located in Sioux Falls, approximately a 25-30 minute commute from Davis. This commute is a standard consideration for Davis residents seeking private education, and many families carpool. There are no private school facilities physically located within the town limits of Davis.
How does South Dakota's "Partners in Education" tax credit program affect private school tuition for Davis residents?
South Dakota's Partners in Education (PIE) program is a crucial financial consideration. It provides a state tax credit for donations made to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs), which then award need-based tuition assistance to students attending private schools like O'Gorman or Sioux Falls Christian. As a Davis resident, you can contribute to an SGO and receive a 100% tax credit on your South Dakota state taxes (up to certain limits), directly helping to fund tuition scholarships. This program significantly reduces the net cost of private education for many families in the Davis area and is a distinctive feature of financing private school in South Dakota.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Sioux Falls-area private schools offer that might benefit a student from a smaller community like Davis?
The private schools in Sioux Falls offer programs that expand opportunities beyond what is typically available in a small public school district. For example, O'Gorman High School offers a comprehensive Advanced Placement (AP) program and specialized courses in engineering and biomedical sciences. Sioux Falls Christian Schools emphasizes integrated technology and fine arts programs. For a Davis student, these schools provide access to larger, more diverse athletic conferences (like the SDHSAA for O'Gorman), competitive speech and debate teams, and extensive music and theater productions—experiences that combine a private, values-based education with the resources of a larger metropolitan area.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for a Davis student applying to a private school in Sioux Falls?
The enrollment process for Davis students is identical to that for Sioux Falls residents, but requires early planning due to the commute. Critical deadlines are typically in the winter prior to the desired school year. For instance, O'Gorman and Sioux Falls Christian often have open houses in January-February, with application deadlines in early spring for the following fall. Priority is frequently given to siblings of current students and members of supporting churches. It is highly recommended for Davis families to apply as early as possible, as some grades have waiting lists. Transportation is the family's responsibility, so securing a carpool arrangement during the admissions process is a common local practice.
How do the private school communities in Sioux Falls accommodate families making the commute from smaller towns like Davis?
Private schools like O'Gorman and Sioux Falls Christian are very accustomed to serving "commuter families" from surrounding towns, including Davis. They foster community through specific initiatives: organizing regional parent contact lists to facilitate carpools, offering flexible before- and after-school care programs (especially important for the elementary levels), and scheduling major school events, like parent-teacher conferences or sports practices, with some consideration for travel time. Many families find that the close-knit, mission-driven community of the private school helps their child from Davis integrate quickly, and they often form strong connections with other commuting families.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities