The Best Private Schools in Boerne, Texas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Boerne. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School
Archdiocese of San Antonio
Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School offers a classical Catholic education from Pre-K3 through 8th grade. The school emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and character development within a nurturing environment. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, students receive personalized attention. The curriculum includes robust STEM programs, fine arts, competitive athletics, and service learning opportunities. The school is known for its strong community involvement and prepares students for success in high school and beyond.
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The Winston School San Antonio
The Winston School
The Winston School San Antonio serves students with learning differences from Boerne and surrounding areas, offering a specialized college preparatory education for grades K-12. The school provides individualized instruction with small class sizes (8:1 student-teacher ratio) and differentiated learning approaches. Programs include advanced STEM courses, comprehensive arts education, competitive athletics, and extensive college counseling. The school is particularly noted for helping students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning challenges achieve academic success while building confidence and self-advocacy skills.
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Saint Mary's Hall
Independent School
Saint Mary's Hall is a premier independent college preparatory school serving students from Boerne and the greater San Antonio area from age 3 through grade 12. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 25 Advanced Placement courses, extensive fine arts programs including state-of-the-art facilities, and competitive athletics across multiple sports. The 60-acre campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, performance spaces, and athletic facilities. Known for its strong community values and exceptional college placement record, Saint Mary's Hall emphasizes global citizenship, critical thinking, and leadership development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Boerne, Texas
What are the primary types of private school options available within or near Boerne, Texas, and how do they differ?
Boerne and its immediate vicinity offer a few distinct types of private education. The most common are faith-based schools, like Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School, which provides a traditional academic curriculum integrated with Catholic teachings. Independent college-preparatory schools, such as Saint Mary's Hall (located in San Antonio but drawing families from the Boerne area), offer rigorous academics, extensive arts and athletics, and a focus on university admission. There are also schools specializing in different learning styles, like The Winston School San Antonio, which is designed for students with learning differences such as dyslexia or ADHD. While Boerne itself has a limited number of campuses, many families also consider the robust private school market in nearby San Antonio, which is a manageable commute for many.
How does tuition for private schools in the Boerne, TX, area typically compare to the state average, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition in the Boerne area varies significantly by school type and grade level. For example, local parish-based Catholic schools often have lower tuition rates, potentially ranging from $7,000 to $10,000 annually, which can be below the Texas private school average. In contrast, elite independent schools like Saint Mary's Hall have tuition that can exceed $25,000 per year, aligning with or exceeding the high end of state averages. Most established private schools in the region offer need-based financial aid, and some may have merit scholarships. Importantly, Texas has no state-funded voucher program for private K-12 education, so financing is primarily through the schools themselves, personal funds, or external scholarship organizations.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Boerne students that leverage the local Texas Hill Country environment?
Several schools integrate the unique cultural and natural assets of the Texas Hill Country into their programs. This can include environmental science programs that utilize local ecosystems like the Cibolo Creek for fieldwork and study. Some schools may incorporate Texas history and pioneer studies through local field trips to historic sites like the Boerne Village Band or the nearby Cave Without a Name. Extracurriculars often emphasize outdoor activities, with robust athletics programs in sports like cross-country running, which takes advantage of the hilly terrain. While not all schools have formal "Hill Country" programs, the local context often influences outdoor education, agricultural clubs, and community service partnerships.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Boerne, and are there specific considerations for families moving to the area?
The enrollment process for Boerne-area private schools generally begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year, with application deadlines often between January and March. Key steps include submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often a student assessment or interview. For families moving to Boerne, it's crucial to initiate contact with schools as soon as possible, as some grades (particularly early elementary and middle school entry points) may have limited space or waiting lists. Many schools host open houses in the fall. A specific consideration for Boerne is that due to the limited number of local options, applying to multiple schools—including those in San Antonio—is common, so planning for commute logistics is an important part of the decision process.
For families considering both, what are some key differences between the public schools in the Boerne Independent School District (BISD) and local private school options?
The Boerne ISD is highly regarded, consistently earning top ratings in Texas, which makes the private vs. public decision particularly nuanced here. Key differences include: **Class Size:** BISD schools can have larger class sizes (often 22+ students), while private schools typically offer smaller, more personalized settings (often 15-18 students). **Curriculum Focus:** BISD follows the state-mandated TEKS standards, while private schools have more autonomy to offer specialized curricula (e.g., classical, faith-based, or project-based learning). **Religious Education:** This is a primary differentiator, as BISD is secular. **Services:** BISD provides federally mandated special education services, whereas private schools may offer limited support or specialized environments (like The Winston School) but are not required to provide the same level of IEP services. Many families choose BISD for its excellent academics and extracurriculars, turning to private options for specific religious education, smaller environments, or specialized learning approaches.