The Best Private Schools in Reva, South Dakota
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Reva. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Thomas School
Catholic Diocese of Rapid City
St. Thomas School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving the Faith, SD area and surrounding communities including Reva. Established in 1959, this K-8 institution provides a strong faith-based education with comprehensive academic programs. The school features small class sizes, individualized attention, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes core academic subjects, religious education, music, and arts. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction ratings and has served generations of families in northwestern South Dakota with consistent academic excellence and strong community values.
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Lemmon Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Rapid City
Lemmon Catholic School has been serving students in northwestern South Dakota since 1954, providing quality Catholic education to families in Lemmon and surrounding communities including Reva. The school offers comprehensive elementary and middle school education with a strong emphasis on academic achievement, faith formation, and character development. With dedicated teachers and a supportive community environment, Lemmon Catholic School maintains high academic standards while fostering spiritual growth. The school features modern facilities, technology integration, and extracurricular opportunities that complement its rigorous academic program.
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Mobridge Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Rapid City
Mobridge Catholic School serves students from Mobridge and the surrounding region, including families from Reva seeking quality private education. Founded in 1964, this K-8 institution provides a comprehensive Catholic education with strong academic programs, faith formation, and character development. The school features dedicated faculty, modern classroom technology, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes STEM initiatives, language arts, mathematics, and religious studies. With excellent parent satisfaction ratings and a track record of preparing students for high school success, Mobridge Catholic School represents one of the top private education options serving the Reva area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Reva, South Dakota
What are the private school options for families living in or near Reva, South Dakota?
Reva itself is a very small, rural community, so there are no private schools physically located within the town. However, families in the Reva area typically look to nearby towns for private, faith-based education. The closest options include St. Thomas School in Lemmon (approximately 45 miles north), Lemmon Catholic School, and Mobridge Catholic School in Mobridge (approximately 70 miles southeast). These are typically K-12 or K-8 Catholic schools, representing the primary private school model in this region of South Dakota. Transportation is a key consideration, as daily commuting or weekly boarding arrangements are often necessary.
How does tuition at private schools near Reva, SD, compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition at schools like St. Thomas or Mobridge Catholic School is generally below the national private school average, often ranging from $2,000 to $4,500 per year for parishioners, with slightly higher rates for non-parishioners. This is relatively affordable compared to urban private schools but must be weighed against the added costs of transportation from Reva. 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, individual schools and associated parishes often have dedicated scholarship funds and offer multi-child discounts to assist local families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Reva offer that address rural life?
Private schools in this region, such as those in Lemmon and Mobridge, often integrate the rural context into their programs. This can include robust FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapters, agricultural science components, and a strong emphasis on community service projects that support the local area. Academically, they benefit from very small class sizes, allowing for highly individualized instruction. Many also prioritize faith formation and character education, which are central to their missions. Their extracurricular offerings, while limited by size, often focus on core sports like basketball and volleyball that are central to community identity in Northwestern South Dakota.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for a school like St. Thomas School in Lemmon for a family from Reva?
The enrollment process for schools serving the Reva area is generally straightforward but requires early planning due to commuting logistics. For St. Thomas School, families should contact the school office in the spring prior to the desired fall enrollment (January-April is ideal). The process involves submitting an application, providing birth and baptismal records (if applicable), previous school records, and often a meeting with the principal. Timelines are flexible due to small, rolling class sizes, but securing placement by early summer is advised. A critical part of the process for Reva families is discussing and confirming transportation plans, as the school does not provide bus service from that distance.
For a family in Reva, what are the key factors when choosing between the local public school district and a private Catholic school in a neighboring town?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. The local public school (likely part of the Harding County or larger remote district) offers the convenience of proximity, potentially shorter bus routes, and no tuition. Choosing a private school like Lemmon Catholic School involves a significant commitment to daily long-distance travel or exploring boarding options, plus tuition. The trade-off is often a specific faith-based environment, potentially smaller class sizes, and a different community network. Parents should consider their child's adaptability to long commutes, the importance of religious education in their child's development, and the long-term plan for high school, as some private options offer a continuous K-12 pathway that can provide stability in this rural region.
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