The Best Private Schools in Tom Bean, Texas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Tom Bean. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Catholic School
Diocese of Dallas Catholic Schools
St. Mary's Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the Tom Bean area from nearby Sherman. With over 70 years of educational excellence, the school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program emphasizing faith formation, academic rigor, and character development. The school features small class sizes, dedicated certified teachers, and a strong community atmosphere. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, a library, gymnasium, and athletic fields. The curriculum integrates technology with traditional learning methods and offers extensive extracurricular activities including sports, music, art, and community service programs.
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Sivells Bend Elementary School
Independent Private School
Sivells Bend Elementary is a unique private school located in the nearby rural community that serves families from Tom Bean and surrounding areas. This small, community-focused school provides personalized education for students in a family-like atmosphere. With multi-age classrooms and low student-teacher ratios, the school offers individualized learning plans tailored to each student's needs and abilities. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, environmental education, and strong foundational academics. The school utilizes its rural setting for outdoor education and nature studies while maintaining modern educational resources and technology integration.
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Sherman Adventist School
Seventh-day Adventist Education System
Sherman Adventist School provides quality Christian education to students from Tom Bean and surrounding communities. Serving grades Pre-K through 8, this established private school focuses on developing students spiritually, academically, physically, and socially. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and features a safe, nurturing environment. Academic programs include comprehensive core subjects enhanced by technology integration, music education, physical education, and biblical studies. The campus includes well-equipped classrooms, a library, computer lab, playground, and multipurpose facilities for various activities and events.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Tom Bean, Texas
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Tom Bean, Texas, given that many listed schools are in neighboring towns?
While Tom Bean itself is a small community without a standalone private school campus, families typically look to nearby Sherman and Denison. The schools you mentioned, like St. Mary's Catholic School and Sherman Adventist School, are located in Sherman, about a 15-20 minute drive from Tom Bean. Sivells Bend Elementary is a public school, not private. Your primary private options are therefore faith-based institutions in the Sherman/Denison area. This means commuting is a standard part of the private school experience for Tom Bean residents, and factoring in transportation time is important.
How does tuition at private schools like St. Mary's in Sherman compare to the Texas state average, and are there financial aid options for Tom Bean families?
Tuition at schools like St. Mary's Catholic School is generally below the state average for private K-8 education, often ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 annually. Texas does not have state-funded voucher programs, but many local private schools offer need-based financial aid, parish subsidies for church members, and multi-child discounts. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school's admissions office about their specific aid packages and any scholarships funded by local community or church foundations that Tom Bean residents may qualify for.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Sherman-area private schools offer that might benefit a student from Tom Bean?
The private schools accessible from Tom Bean often provide specialized programs that smaller public districts may not. St. Mary's, for example, integrates Catholic faith throughout a standard curriculum and may offer Spanish instruction. Sherman Adventist School emphasizes a holistic education with outdoor and agricultural learning components. A key benefit for Tom Bean students is the typically smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention. Extracurriculars often focus on core offerings like sports, music, and academic clubs, with some schools providing before and after-care programs essential for commuting families.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Sherman Adventist School for a family new to the Tom Bean area?
Enrollment timelines for North Texas private schools often begin in January or February for the following fall, with rolling admission afterward if spaces remain. The process usually involves submitting an application, academic records from your child's current school (whether in Tom Bean ISD or elsewhere), a family interview, and sometimes student assessment. For Tom Bean families, it's advisable to initiate contact early in the calendar year. Be prepared to discuss your reasons for choosing a private school and the commute. Many schools also host open houses in the fall and winter, which are excellent opportunities to visit from Tom Bean.
For a family considering the Tom Bean Independent School District versus a private school in Sherman, what are the key decision factors specific to this region?
The decision hinges on several local factors. Tom Bean ISD offers a close-knit, community-centered public education with no commute. In contrast, private schools in Sherman require a daily drive but offer distinct religious education (Catholic or Seventh-day Adventist) and often smaller class sizes. Academically, Tom Bean ISD follows Texas state standards (TEKS), while private schools have more curricular flexibility. For high school, Tom Bean students attend public high school in nearby districts, so some families consider private options earlier to ensure continuity through 12th grade. The choice often comes down to values alignment, desired class size, and willingness to commute for a specific educational philosophy.