The Best Private Schools in Kaylor, South Dakota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kaylor. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mount Marty High School
Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
Mount Marty High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school located approximately 30 miles from Kaylor. The school offers a rigorous academic program with multiple Advanced Placement courses and a strong STEM curriculum. Students benefit from small class sizes with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, comprehensive athletics programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school emphasizes character development and service learning while maintaining strong college acceptance rates to prestigious universities.
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O'Gorman Catholic High School
Catholic School System
O'Gorman Catholic High School is one of South Dakota's premier private educational institutions, serving students from across the region including the Kaylor area. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complex. Academic offerings include 18 Advanced Placement courses, a comprehensive STEM academy, and extensive college counseling services. The school maintains a 98% college acceptance rate and emphasizes holistic student development through faith formation, community service, and leadership programs.
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St. Mary Elementary and High School
Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
St. Mary School provides a comprehensive PreK-12 Catholic education with a classical education approach that emphasizes critical thinking and moral development. Located within reasonable commuting distance from Kaylor, the school offers small class sizes, individualized attention, and a strong sense of community. The high school program features college preparatory coursework, competitive athletics, vibrant fine arts programs, and modern technology integration. The school is known for its family atmosphere and strong alumni network throughout South Dakota.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kaylor, South Dakota
What are the private school options for families living in or near Kaylor, South Dakota?
For families in the Kaylor area, private school options are primarily Catholic institutions, though they require commuting to nearby cities. The closest and most commonly considered are Mount Marty High School in Yankton (about 30 miles southeast), O'Gorman Catholic High School in Sioux Falls (approximately 90 miles northeast), and St. Mary Elementary and High School in Dell Rapids (roughly 80 miles northeast). There are no private schools physically located within the small community of Kaylor itself, so transportation and commute time are significant factors for local families considering this path.
How does tuition at South Dakota private schools like those near Kaylor compare, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for the high schools serving Kaylor families varies. For the 2024-2025 school year, O'Gorman High School's tuition is approximately $9,500, while Mount Marty High School is around $8,200. St. Mary's typically has a lower rate, often between $4,000-$5,000. Importantly, South Dakota offers the "Partners in Education" (PIE) tax credit program, which provides scholarships for students to attend private schools based on financial need. Additionally, all these schools have their own need-based financial aid, parish subsidies for active members, and multi-child discounts, which are crucial for rural families managing commute costs on top of tuition.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools accessible from Kaylor offer that might justify the commute?
Schools like O'Gorman and Mount Marty offer robust programs that differentiate them. O'Gorman, being in Sioux Falls, provides extensive Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings, a strong engineering academy, and competitive athletic conferences. Mount Marty High School benefits from a unique affiliation with Mount Marty University, offering dual-credit opportunities and access to university facilities. St. Mary's emphasizes a tight-knit, small-school environment with strong agricultural and FFA programs that resonate with South Dakota's rural communities. For a Kaylor student, these specialized programs can provide opportunities that may be limited in smaller public school districts.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for private high schools near Kaylor, and are there considerations for rural applicants?
Enrollment for these schools typically opens in January for the following fall, with priority often given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of supporting Catholic dioceses. For Kaylor families, it's critical to initiate contact early—often a full year in advance—to navigate transportation logistics (like arranging carpools or exploring boarding options at Mount Marty) and financial aid. Most schools require an application, transcripts, standardized test scores, and a family interview. Given the distance, many admissions offices are accustomed to accommodating rural families via virtual meetings and flexible tour schedules.
How do the private school options for Kaylor students compare academically and socially to the local public school, Tripp-Delmont School District?
The Tripp-Delmont School District, which serves Kaylor, offers a close-knit, community-based public education with small class sizes. The primary trade-off for private school is the commute versus program breadth. Academically, schools like O'Gorman offer a wider array of AP courses and college-prep resources. Socially and culturally, the private schools provide a faith-based environment and a much larger, more diverse peer network from across the region, which can be a draw. However, it means a student from Kaylor may be less integrated into local community activities. The decision often hinges on how much a family values a religious education and specialized programs versus the convenience and local ties of the public district.
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