The Best Private Schools in Somerset, Texas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Somerset. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Hall
Independent
St. Mary's Hall is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the greater San Antonio area, including Somerset. With a 144-year legacy of academic excellence, the school offers a rigorous curriculum featuring Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive fine arts programs, competitive athletics, and state-of-the-art STEM facilities. The campus spans 60 acres with modern academic buildings, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Known for small class sizes and personalized attention, the school maintains a 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio and boasts 100% college acceptance rates to top universities nationwide.
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Keystone School
Independent
Keystone School is a highly selective independent school renowned for its accelerated academic program and serving students from Somerset and surrounding communities. The school specializes in gifted education with a curriculum that typically places students two years ahead of grade level. Features include advanced mathematics and science programs, extensive research opportunities, and a comprehensive college counseling program. The intimate campus environment fosters close student-teacher relationships with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Graduates consistently gain admission to Ivy League and top-tier universities.
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Saint Luke Catholic School
Archdiocese of San Antonio
Saint Luke Catholic School provides a comprehensive faith-based education serving families in Somerset and the greater San Antonio area. The school offers a balanced curriculum integrating Catholic values with rigorous academics, including STEM programs, fine arts, and competitive athletics. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, a dedicated chapel, and extensive playground facilities. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community spirit while offering specialized programs like dual language immersion and technology integration across all grade levels.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Somerset, Texas
What are the primary private school options available for families in Somerset, Texas, and how do they differ in educational approach?
Somerset, Texas, and its surrounding area offer a few distinct private school options, each with a different educational philosophy. St. Mary's Hall in San Antonio (within reasonable commuting distance) is a prestigious, non-sectarian college-preparatory school known for its rigorous academics and extensive arts and athletics programs. Keystone School, also in San Antonio, is another highly regarded non-sectarian option with a strong focus on gifted education and a fast-paced curriculum. Closer to home, Saint Luke Catholic School in San Antonio provides a faith-based education rooted in Catholic values. For Somerset residents, these schools involve a commute, making transportation logistics a key consideration. There are limited private schools physically located within Somerset's immediate city limits, so exploring these nearby institutions is essential.
How does tuition for private schools near Somerset, TX, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the top private schools accessible to Somerset families, like St. Mary's Hall and Keystone, is generally at or above the Texas private school average due to their prestige and extensive resources. Annual tuition for these schools can range from approximately $20,000 to $30,000+ depending on the grade level. Saint Luke Catholic School typically offers a lower tuition point, often between $8,000 and $12,000, reflecting its parish-subsidized model. All these schools usually offer need-based financial aid, and some may have merit scholarships. Texas also has the state-funded **Lone Star Scholarship** program (an Education Savings Account program), which may provide eligible families with public funds to use toward private school tuition, a significant financial consideration unique to the state.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving the Somerset area offer that local public schools may not?
Private schools near Somerset provide specialized programs that can be a major draw. Keystone School is renowned for its curriculum designed for academically gifted students, with advanced placement and research opportunities starting in middle school. St. Mary's Hall offers exceptional programs in fine arts, theater, and competitive athletics, with facilities that rival small colleges. Saint Luke Catholic School integrates religious education and character formation throughout its curriculum, which is a distinct feature. These schools often have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention than might be available in the larger Somerset Independent School District. For families seeking a specific pedagogical approach (gifted, faith-based, or intensive college-prep), these private options provide alternatives not typically found in the standard public school curriculum.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Mary's Hall, Keystone, and Saint Luke for a family from Somerset?
The enrollment process for these competitive schools requires early planning. Most have application deadlines in **January or February** for the following academic year. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores (like the ISEE or SSAT for the larger prep schools), and a family interview or student visit day. Saint Luke Catholic School may have a slightly more flexible timeline but still encourages early application. For Somerset families, it's crucial to factor in the commute during the visit phase. Many schools host open houses in the fall. We strongly recommend initiating inquiries a full year in advance, as waiting lists, especially for entry grades at St. Mary's Hall and Keystone, are common.
For a family living in Somerset, what are the key logistical and community factors to consider when choosing a private school in San Antonio?
The primary logistical factor is the **commute**. Somerset is approximately 20-30 miles southwest of downtown San Antonio, so attending any of these schools involves a significant daily drive, which impacts family schedules and transportation costs (including potential bus service or carpool arrangements). Community-wise, families should consider where the school's student body resides. Your child may have fewer classmates living nearby in Somerset, potentially affecting the ease of playdates and local social connections. Conversely, being part of a San Antonio-based school community can offer broader cultural and extracurricular networks. It's important to visit and assess if the school's community culture aligns with your family's values and if the benefits of the academic program outweigh the challenges of the distance from Somerset.