The Best Private Schools in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oak Ridge. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's School
Catholic Diocese of Knoxville
St. Mary's School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving Oak Ridge with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring small class sizes and individualized attention. Their curriculum includes strong STEM components, language arts, and fine arts programs. The school maintains modern facilities and offers diverse extracurricular activities including sports, music, and community service programs. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty and strong sense of community.
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The Webb School of Knoxville
Independent
The Webb School of Knoxville is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the greater Oak Ridge area. Located approximately 20 minutes from Oak Ridge, this school offers rigorous academic programs from junior kindergarten through 12th grade. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Webb emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement, with strong Advanced Placement course offerings and a 100% college acceptance rate. The school is known for its exceptional faculty and comprehensive extracurricular programs.
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Christian Academy of Knoxville
Independent Christian
Christian Academy of Knoxville is a highly-rated private Christian school serving families from Oak Ridge and surrounding areas. Offering education from preschool through 12th grade, CAK provides a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum integrated with biblical principles. The school features modern academic facilities, extensive athletic programs, and robust fine arts offerings. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, students receive personalized attention while participating in advanced academic tracks, including honors and AP courses. The school maintains strong parent satisfaction through its community-focused approach and academic excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and are there any located directly within the city?
While Oak Ridge itself has a limited number of standalone private schools, families commonly look to nearby institutions in the greater Knoxville area. The most frequently considered options include St. Mary's School (a Catholic school in Oak Ridge), The Webb School of Knoxville (a prestigious college-preparatory day and boarding school in nearby Knoxville), and the Christian Academy of Knoxville. It's important to note that many Oak Ridge families commute to schools in Knoxville, Farragut, or Maryville, expanding the choices significantly. Transportation and commute time are key local considerations when evaluating these options.
How does the tuition for private schools serving Oak Ridge, TN, compare to the state average, and what financial aid or scholarship opportunities are specific to Tennessee?
Tuition for private schools in the Oak Ridge/Knoxville corridor varies widely. For the 2024-2025 academic year, ranges can be from approximately $8,000-$12,000 for parochial schools to over $25,000 for elite college-preparatory day schools like Webb. Tennessee offers specific financial assistance programs that Oak Ridge residents can utilize, most notably the Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which provides state-funded accounts for eligible students to use for private school tuition and other expenses. Additionally, many schools offer need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their aid policies and application deadlines.
Given Oak Ridge's history as a center for science and technology, do local private schools offer specialized STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs?
Yes, Oak Ridge's unique identity as "The Atomic City" and home to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) influences educational offerings. Several private schools in the area have robust STEM programs to align with this community focus. For instance, The Webb School of Knoxville features advanced science research opportunities and partnerships that can leverage proximity to ORNL. St. Mary's School integrates technology and science into its curriculum with a values-based approach. When researching schools, parents should ask about advanced science courses, robotics teams, coding programs, and any existing partnerships with local scientific institutions, as these are notable strengths in the region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Oak Ridge, Tennessee area, and when should applications be submitted?
The enrollment process for competitive private schools in the Oak Ridge/Knoxville area often begins a full year in advance. Key timelines include: opening applications in August-September for the following fall, with deadlines for financial aid and priority applications typically between January and February. Many schools require admissions testing (like the ISEE or SSAT), student interviews, and campus visits. For highly sought-after schools like The Webb School, applying early is strongly advised. Oak Ridge parents should plan to start research and school visits in the fall of the year prior to desired enrollment to meet all deadlines and requirements.
How do the academic environments and outcomes of private schools serving Oak Ridge compare to the highly-rated Oak Ridge Public Schools system?
This is a central consideration for Oak Ridge families. The Oak Ridge Public School system is consistently ranked among the top in Tennessee, particularly for its advanced STEM programs at the high school level. Private alternatives offer different value propositions: often smaller class sizes, specific religious or philosophical education (e.g., at St. Mary's or CAK), or a highly rigorous, traditional college-prep environment (e.g., at Webb). The decision often hinges on a family's preference for a particular educational approach, community size, or values alignment, rather than a simple judgment of academic quality, as both sectors offer excellent options. The private school path may involve a commute, while public schools offer the convenience and community integration of neighborhood schooling.
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