The Best Private Schools in Georgetown, Texas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Georgetown. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Grace Academy of Georgetown
Independent Christian School
Grace Academy offers a classical Christian education model from kindergarten through 12th grade, focusing on the trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. The school is renowned for its rigorous academic program that integrates faith and learning. Features include small class sizes, experienced faculty, comprehensive college preparatory curriculum, competitive sports teams, and robust fine arts programs. The campus includes modern facilities with science labs, athletic fields, and dedicated arts spaces. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high due to the school's strong community and academic outcomes.
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St. Helen Catholic School
Diocese of Austin Catholic Schools
St. Helen Catholic School provides a comprehensive Catholic education serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school is known for its strong academic foundation combined with faith-based education. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with low student-teacher ratios, comprehensive STEM curriculum, competitive athletics program, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school emphasizes character development and community service while maintaining high academic standards that prepare students for competitive high school programs.
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St. Andrew's Episcopal School
St. Andrew's Schools
While located in nearby Austin, St. Andrew's Episcopal School serves the greater Central Texas region including Georgetown families. This prestigious independent school offers International Baccalaureate programs for grades 6-12 alongside comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science and innovation labs, performing arts center, athletic complex, and extensive campus grounds. Known for academic excellence and diverse extracurricular offerings, St. Andrew's maintains small class sizes with highly qualified faculty and provides transportation options for Georgetown-area students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Georgetown, Texas
What are the primary types of private school options available to families in Georgetown, Texas?
Georgetown offers a diverse range of private school models to fit different educational philosophies and religious affiliations. The top schools represent this variety: St. Helen Catholic School provides a traditional Catholic education, Grace Academy of Georgetown offers a classical Christian curriculum, and St. Andrew's Episcopal School delivers an independent, college-preparatory program within an Episcopal context. Beyond these, the area may also have smaller Christian academies and specialized preparatory schools. This mix allows Georgetown parents to choose based on academic rigor, faith integration, and pedagogical approach, all within the community without needing to commute to Austin for many options.
How does tuition for private schools in Georgetown, TX, typically compare to the state or national average, and what financial aid options are locally available?
Tuition for Georgetown's premier private schools generally ranges from approximately $8,000 to $15,000+ per year for elementary grades, with secondary levels often higher. This is somewhat competitive with Texas private school averages, though slightly below major metropolitan areas like Dallas or Houston. All major schools in Georgetown, including St. Helen, Grace Academy, and St. Andrew's, offer need-based financial aid programs. Additionally, Texas has state-wide programs like the Texas Tuition Promise Fund (a 529 prepaid plan) and tax-free 529 savings plans that families can utilize. Some schools may also participate in parish subsidy programs (for Catholic schools) or offer sibling discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are emphasized by private schools in Georgetown?
Georgetown private schools leverage local history and community to create distinctive programs. St. Andrew's Episcopal School, for instance, may integrate the ecological and historical resources of the Texas Hill Country and the San Gabriel River into its science and history curricula. Grace Academy's classical model emphasizes rhetoric and logic, a growing niche. St. Helen Catholic School often incorporates strong community service programs tied to local Georgetown parishes and charities. Furthermore, given Georgetown's proximity to Austin's tech industry, schools may bolster STEM initiatives, robotics clubs, or partnerships with local businesses for real-world learning experiences not always available in standard public school curricula.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Helen, Grace Academy, and St. Andrew's in Georgetown?
The enrollment process in Georgetown is competitive, especially for entry grades (Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 6th/9th grades). Most schools open applications in the fall (September-October) for the following academic year, with deadlines typically between January and February. The process usually involves a completed application, student assessments or classroom visits, parent interviews, and records review. Many schools host open houses in the autumn. A key local consideration is that due to Georgetown's rapid growth, waiting lists can form quickly, so initiating the process early is highly recommended. Siblings of current students and parish members (for faith-based schools) often receive priority.
For families considering both sectors, what are the notable differences between Georgetown ISD public schools and the local private school options?
The choice in Georgetown often centers on class size, curriculum flexibility, and religious education. Georgetown ISD offers excellent, well-funded public schools with diverse extracurriculars, but private schools provide significantly smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 22+ in GISD) and more individualized attention. Academically, private schools like St. Andrew's or Grace Academy offer a specific, consistent pedagogical approach (college-prep or classical) throughout all grades, whereas public school curricula are state-mandated (TEKS). Furthermore, private schools can integrate faith and values directly into the school day. A practical difference is that most Georgetown private schools are centralized K-12 or K-8 campuses, avoiding the multiple public school transitions between elementary, middle, and high school.