The Best Private Schools in Jellico, Tennessee
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Jellico. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Catholic School
Diocese of Knoxville
St. Mary's Catholic School is a highly-rated independent Catholic school serving families throughout East Tennessee, including the Jellico area. With over 70 years of educational excellence, the school provides a rigorous academic program grounded in Catholic values. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics and science programs, comprehensive language arts, and integrated technology education. The school features modern classrooms, science laboratories, and extensive athletic facilities. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high with praise for the nurturing environment, strong community, and academic preparation.
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The King's Academy
The King's Academy
The King's Academy is a highly-regarded Christian college preparatory school serving the broader East Tennessee region, including Jellico area families. With a strong academic reputation spanning over four decades, the school offers comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts opportunities. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and has a proven track record of college acceptance.
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Clayton-Bradley Academy
Clayton-Bradley Academy
Clayton-Bradley Academy is a innovative STEM-focused private school serving the broader East Tennessee region, including Jellico families seeking advanced educational opportunities. The school emphasizes project-based learning and technology integration across all grade levels. Features include state-of-the-art innovation labs, robotics programs, and comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular programs including competitive athletics, arts, and technology clubs. Despite being newer than traditional private schools, it has quickly established a reputation for academic excellence and innovative education approaches.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Jellico, Tennessee
What are the primary private school options available for families in or near Jellico, Tennessee?
Jellico itself is a small city, so most private school options are located in nearby communities, requiring a commute. The most prominent schools serving the area are The King's Academy (a Christian K-12 school in Seymour, about an hour away), St. Mary's Catholic School (a K-8 school in Oak Ridge, roughly 70 minutes away), and Clayton-Bradley Academy (a STEM-focused K-12 school in Maryville, about 90 minutes away). For Jellico residents, this means private education involves significant transportation planning. Some families also explore smaller church-affiliated academies in closer Tennessee or Kentucky border towns. The limited local options make it essential to research each school's bus routes or carpool possibilities.
How does the tuition for private schools serving Jellico, TN, compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for the schools that Jellico families commonly consider varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, The King's Academy tuition ranges from approximately $7,500 to $9,500, St. Mary's is around $6,500 for parishioners, and Clayton-Bradley Academy is higher, reflecting its STEM focus, at roughly $12,000+. These figures are generally at or below the Tennessee private school average, partly due to the region's lower cost of living. Importantly, Tennessee offers the Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which can provide state funds for eligible students to attend private schools. All these schools also offer their own need-based financial aid and scholarships. Jellico parents should apply early for both ESA and institutional aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Jellico offer that might not be available in local public schools?
The private schools accessible to Jellico families provide specialized tracks that can be a draw. Clayton-Bradley Academy is renowned for its integrated STEM curriculum, including robotics, engineering, and partnerships with local tech industries. The King's Academy offers a strong college-prep program with dual-enrollment options and distinctive arts and athletics facilities. St. Mary's provides a structured, values-based elementary education with small class sizes. For Jellico students interested in advanced STEM, intensive arts, or a specific religious environment, these programs offer alternatives that differ from the offerings of the Campbell County or Jellico public school systems, though they come with the trade-off of a longer daily commute.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools that serve Jellico, Tennessee?
Given the competitive nature and limited seats at schools like Clayton-Bradley Academy and The King's Academy, the timeline is crucial. Most schools begin accepting applications in January for the following fall, with priority deadlines in February or March. The process typically involves an application form, academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and often a student assessment or shadow day. For Jellico families, planning for the commute is sometimes part of the interview discussion. It's highly recommended to initiate contact with admissions offices in the fall prior to the desired enrollment year. Waiting lists are common, so applying by the priority deadline is key, especially for entry grades like Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th.
For a family living in Jellico, what are the major practical considerations when choosing between a local public school and a private school a significant distance away?
The decision hinges on several Jellico-specific factors. The primary consideration is the daily commute, which can be 60-90 minutes each way, impacting family logistics, student fatigue, and extracurricular participation. Financially, tuition plus transportation costs must be weighed against the free public education at Jellico Elementary, Middle, or Campbell County High. Academically, parents must decide if a specialized private program justifies the travel time compared to the community-based, potentially more convenient public school experience. Many families find a hybrid approach, using local public schools for younger children and considering a private high school for specific academic tracks. Visiting both the local Jellico public schools and the distant private options is essential to make an informed comparison.