The Best Private Schools in Moab, Utah
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Moab. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Augustine School
The Augustine School
The Augustine School is a private classical Christian school offering education from preschool through 12th grade. Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, it serves families seeking a rigorous academic environment grounded in Christian values. The school features a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum, small student-teacher ratios, and emphasizes the development of wisdom and virtue. Their program includes Latin instruction, logic, rhetoric, and extensive fine arts, making it a popular choice for families throughout the Western Colorado/Eastern Utah region.
Programs:
Caprock Academy
Caprock Academy
Caprock Academy is a highly-rated public charter school serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade with a classical education model. While located in Grand Junction, Colorado (approximately 90 minutes from Moab), it serves families throughout the region with its rigorous academic program. The school emphasizes character development, critical thinking, and college preparation with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. Their comprehensive curriculum includes advanced placement courses, competitive athletics, and extensive extracurricular activities.
Programs:
St. Joseph Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Pueblo
St. Joseph Catholic School is a long-established private Catholic school serving students from preschool through 8th grade. With over 70 years of educational excellence, the school offers a faith-based education combined with strong academic programs. Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, it serves families throughout the region with a comprehensive curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, science labs, technology integration, and extensive fine arts programs. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere, dedicated teachers, and emphasis on character development.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Moab, Utah
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Moab, Utah?
Moab offers a small but distinct selection of private schools. The main options include Caprock Academy, a public charter school that functions like a tuition-free private school with a rigorous classical curriculum; The Augustine School, a private Christian school offering a classical, Christian education from a Protestant perspective; and St. Joseph Catholic School, which provides a faith-based education rooted in Catholic traditions for grades K-8. It's important to note that true private, tuition-based options are limited, making early inquiry and application essential for Moab families.
How does tuition for private schools in Moab, UT, compare to state averages, and are there any Utah-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition at Moab's private schools like The Augustine School and St. Joseph Catholic School is generally below the state average for Utah private schools, reflecting the local economy. Annual tuition typically ranges from $4,000 to $7,000. Utah offers significant financial assistance through the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship for eligible students and the Utah Fits All Scholarship (state-funded education savings account), which can be used at participating private schools. Additionally, individual schools may offer parish subsidies (for Catholic schools) or need-based scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Moab private schools offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in Moab uniquely integrate the spectacular natural surroundings into their curricula. Programs often emphasize outdoor education, environmental science, and geology, with field studies in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Schools may offer hiking, camping, and river studies as part of physical education or science classes. Furthermore, the tight-knit community allows for personalized project-based learning that can involve local artisans, park rangers, and conservation organizations, providing an educational experience deeply connected to the Colorado Plateau region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Moab, given the limited number of seats?
Due to small class sizes, the enrollment process for Moab's private schools is highly competitive and begins early. Most schools open applications in January for the following fall, with priority deadlines by March. The process usually includes a completed application, student and family interviews, academic records review, and possibly placement assessments. For schools like St. Joseph Catholic School, priority is given to parish members and siblings of current students. It is strongly advised to contact schools by the prior fall to express interest and schedule a tour.
How do private schools in Moab differ from the local public school district, Grand County School District?
The key differences lie in class size, curricular approach, and community. Moab's private schools offer much smaller student-to-teacher ratios (often 10:1 or lower) compared to public schools. They provide specialized curricular approaches like classical (Caprock, Augustine) or faith-based education (Augustine, St. Joseph), which are not available in the public district. While public schools offer broader extracurriculars like larger sports teams, private schools emphasize close-knit community, personalized attention, and unique local field studies. The public charter, Caprock Academy, blends a private-school classical model with no tuition.