The Best Private Schools in Decatur, Texas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Decatur. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Denton Calvary Academy
Denton Calvary Academy
Denton Calvary Academy is a classical Christian school serving Decatur and the surrounding North Texas communities. Founded in 2000, the school provides education from kindergarten through 12th grade using the time-tested classical education model integrated with Christian worldview. The curriculum emphasizes the trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages, with students studying Latin and engaging with great books of Western civilization. The school maintains small class sizes and features a rigorous academic program that prepares students for college and beyond. Denton Calvary offers a strong sense of community with parent involvement and character development as core components of their educational philosophy.
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Lake Country Christian School
Lake Country Christian School
Lake Country Christian School is a premier private Christian institution serving families from Decatur and the greater Fort Worth region. Established in 1992, the school offers comprehensive education from pre-K through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and spiritual formation. The school features modern facilities including dedicated STEM labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Lake Country's college preparatory program includes Advanced Placement and dual credit courses, with graduates consistently accepted to competitive universities. The school offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including championship athletic teams, fine arts programs, and mission opportunities. Their integrated biblical worldview approach and commitment to developing servant leaders make them a top choice for families in the area.
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Liberty Christian School
Liberty Christian School
Liberty Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving the Decatur and North Texas region. Established in 1982, the school offers comprehensive education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on college preparatory academics. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, science labs, fine arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 12:1, ensuring personalized attention. Liberty Christian boasts a 100% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top universities nationwide. The school offers robust extracurricular programs including championship athletics, award-winning fine arts, and numerous student organizations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Decatur, Texas
What are the primary private school options for families living in Decatur, Texas, and are they located within the city limits?
While Decatur itself has a limited number of private schools, families commonly consider several well-regarded institutions in the surrounding Wise and Denton County area. The most prominent include Liberty Christian School in Argyle (about 15 miles east), Denton Calvary Academy in Denton (about 20 miles southeast), and Lake Country Christian School in Fort Worth (about 30 miles south). There are also smaller parochial schools associated with local churches in Decatur. For daily commuting, most options require a short drive, making transportation planning an important consideration for Decatur residents.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Decatur, TX, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the major private schools serving Decatur families generally ranges from approximately $8,000 to $12,000 annually for elementary grades, with higher rates for secondary levels. This is slightly below or in line with the Texas private school average, partly due to the North Texas region's cost of living. Most schools, like Liberty Christian and Lake Country Christian, offer need-based financial aid and sibling discounts. Additionally, Texas has no state-funded voucher program, but many families utilize the **Texas 529 College Savings Plan**, which can now be used for K-12 private school tuition, providing a tax-advantaged way to save.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Decatur, TX, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Decatur area often emphasize specific educational philosophies and smaller class sizes. For example, Liberty Christian School offers a comprehensive **Classical Christian education** model and strong fine arts programs. Denton Calvary Academy focuses on a university-model schedule, blending classroom and home-based learning. Lake Country Christian School is known for its rigorous college-prep curriculum and extensive athletic offerings. These schools often provide more centralized religious instruction (if that is a priority) and specialized programs that might be more limited in the Decatur Independent School District due to scale and funding structures.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Decatur, Texas, and when should parents apply?
The enrollment process for competitive private schools in the North Texas region begins early. Most schools open applications for the following academic year in **September or October**, with priority deadlines between January and March. The process typically involves an application form, student assessments or entrance exams, family interviews, and submission of past academic records. For Decatur families, it's crucial to plan ahead due to limited seats and potential waitlists, especially for popular schools like Liberty Christian. We recommend initiating inquiries and campus visits a full year before the desired enrollment date.
For a family moving to Decatur, what are the key considerations when choosing between Decatur ISD public schools and the surrounding private school options?
The decision hinges on several local factors. Decatur ISD offers a no-tuition option with specific strengths in CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs, agriculture, and its 5A athletic district. Private alternatives offer smaller class sizes, distinct religious education, and often different curricular approaches (like classical or university-model). Commute is a major practical consideration; attending a private school means a daily drive to a neighboring city. Financially, you must weigh tuition costs against potential benefits. Many Decatur families choose the local public schools for community integration, while others seek the specific mission and environment of a private institution, accepting the commute as a worthwhile trade-off.