The Best Private Schools in Highmore, South Dakota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Highmore. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
O'Gorman Junior High & High School
Catholic School System
O'Gorman Catholic Schools is a highly-regarded private institution serving students from across South Dakota, including the Highmore area. With a strong college preparatory curriculum and comprehensive extracurricular offerings, O'Gorman provides rigorous academics combined with character formation. The school features modern facilities, advanced STEM labs, competitive athletic programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. Many families from rural communities like Highmore choose O'Gorman for its academic excellence and comprehensive student development programs.
Programs:
Roncalli Elementary, Junior High & High School
Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
Roncalli Schools serve students from throughout central South Dakota, including the Highmore region. This accredited Catholic school system offers a comprehensive K-12 education with strong emphasis on academic achievement and faith formation. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and robust athletic and arts programs. Roncalli maintains a reputation for preparing students for college success while providing transportation options and boarding arrangements for students from outlying areas like Highmore.
Programs:
St. Joseph's Catholic School
Diocese of Sioux Falls
St. Joseph's Catholic School in Pierre serves as a regional private education option for families in central South Dakota, including Highmore. Offering preschool through 8th grade education with strong foundational academics and Catholic values, the school provides a nurturing environment with individualized attention. The curriculum emphasizes core academic subjects while incorporating technology integration and character development. Many families from surrounding communities choose St. Joseph's for its family atmosphere and commitment to academic excellence within a faith-based framework.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Highmore, South Dakota
What are the private school options for families living in Highmore, South Dakota, and how accessible are they?
While Highmore itself is a smaller community, families seeking private, faith-based education typically look to schools in larger nearby cities. The top options often considered are in Sioux Falls, approximately 90 miles away. These include O'Gorman Junior High & High School (Catholic, co-ed), Roncalli Elementary, Junior High & High School (Catholic, co-ed), and St. Joseph's Catholic School (K-8). Accessibility is a primary consideration, as attending these schools requires a significant daily commute or exploring boarding options for older students. Some families in the Highmore area may also form carpool networks to manage the transportation challenge.
How does tuition for private schools near Highmore, SD, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for the Sioux Falls-area private schools accessible to Highmore families is generally above the South Dakota state average for private education, reflecting their urban location and comprehensive programs. For the 2023-2024 school year, high school tuition at schools like O'Gorman and Roncalli can range from $8,000 to $11,000 annually. However, these institutions, along with St. Joseph's, typically offer robust financial aid programs based on need, as well as parish subsidies for active members of supporting Catholic churches. South Dakota also has a tax-advantaged K-12 Education Savings Account program, which can be used for private school tuition, helping to offset costs for qualifying families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools accessible from Highmore offer that might not be available locally?
The private schools in Sioux Falls offer programs that are distinct from the smaller public schools in the Highmore area. These include extensive college preparatory (AP and honors) course tracks, specialized STEM and fine arts academies, and a wider array of world languages. Extracurricularly, they compete in the larger Class AA athletic divisions in South Dakota, offering sports like hockey, swimming, and tennis that are less common in rural districts. Furthermore, schools like O'Gorman and Roncalli have established community service and campus ministry programs deeply integrated into their curriculum, providing a values-based education component that is a primary draw for many families.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a family from Highmore applying to a Sioux Falls private school?
The enrollment process for schools like O'Gorman, Roncalli, and St. Joseph's begins early, often in the January-February period for the following fall. The process is centralized for Catholic schools in the diocese. Key steps include submitting an online application, providing records from the current school (e.g., Highmore Public School), and often participating in a placement assessment for academic tracking. For families outside the Sioux Falls parishes, securing a spot can be competitive, and applying as early as possible is crucial. It's highly recommended to schedule a campus visit and directly address transportation and logistical plans during the admissions conversation.
For a Highmore family, what are the key factors in deciding between the local public school and a private school in Sioux Falls?
This decision hinges on several location-specific factors. The Highmore Public School District offers the significant advantages of proximity, no tuition, and deep community integration. Choosing a private school in Sioux Falls involves a major commitment to daily travel, which impacts family time and extracurricular participation. The trade-off is access to a different educational environment: typically smaller class sizes within a larger school, a specific religious foundation, and a broader range of academic and athletic opportunities that may better prepare students for certain colleges. The decision often comes down to how much a family values a faith-based education and whether they are willing to manage the logistical and financial demands of the 180-mile daily round trip.
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