The Best Private Schools in Mount Crawford, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Mount Crawford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Community Mennonite Early Learning Center
Community Mennonite Church
Community Mennonite Early Learning Center provides exceptional early childhood education for families in Mount Crawford and surrounding communities. The school focuses on developmentally appropriate practices with a play-based learning approach that prepares children for elementary education. The program emphasizes social-emotional development, literacy foundations, and hands-on learning experiences. The facility features age-appropriate classrooms, outdoor play areas, and dedicated learning centers. With highly qualified early childhood educators and low student-teacher ratios, the center has earned outstanding parent satisfaction ratings for its nurturing environment and educational quality.
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Eastern Mennonite School
Eastern Mennonite Schools
Eastern Mennonite School is a highly-regarded Christian private school serving the Mount Crawford and greater Harrisonburg area. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through high school with a strong college preparatory focus. Known for its rigorous academic curriculum, EMS features advanced placement courses, robust STEM programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. The campus includes modern science labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes character development and community service while maintaining small class sizes for personalized attention. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty and inclusive community environment.
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Harrisonburg Children's House
Private Montessori School
Harrisonburg Children's House is a respected Montessori school serving Mount Crawford and the Harrisonburg region. The school offers authentic Montessori education for children ages 18 months through elementary years. The program emphasizes individualized learning, hands-on materials, and development of independence. The school features beautifully prepared Montessori classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and specialized materials for practical life, sensorial, language, and mathematics education. With AMI-trained guides and a commitment to Montessori principles, the school has built a strong reputation for academic excellence and child-centered education that fosters lifelong learning skills.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Mount Crawford, Virginia
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Mount Crawford, Virginia?
Mount Crawford itself is a small community, so most private school options are located in the broader Harrisonburg area. The most prominent local institutions include Eastern Mennonite School (K-12), which is a major college-preparatory school rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. For younger children, options include the Community Mennonite Early Learning Center (preschool) and Harrisonburg Children's House, which follows the Montessori method. While these schools have Mount Crawford families in their communities, it's important to note that they are situated in nearby Harrisonburg, requiring a short commute. Exploring these schools involves understanding their specific religious or pedagogical affiliations.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Mount Crawford, VA, area compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition in the Mount Crawford/Harrisonburg area is generally below the statewide average for Virginia private schools, reflecting the region's cost of living. For the 2023-2024 academic year, Eastern Mennonite School's tuition ranges from approximately $9,000 for elementary to $13,000 for high school. Preschool programs like Community Mennonite Early Learning Center are typically priced per semester or term. Crucially, these schools, especially Eastern Mennonite, offer need-based financial aid, scholarships, and often multi-child discounts. Virginia also has no state-funded tuition assistance programs (like vouchers or tax credits) that are widely available, so most aid comes directly from the institutions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Mount Crawford students?
Schools in this area offer distinctive programs shaped by their founding principles. Eastern Mennonite School emphasizes global citizenship, peacebuilding, and service learning, often incorporating these themes across its curriculum. It also offers strong arts and athletics programs. Harrisonburg Children's House provides the hallmark Montessori experience with mixed-age classrooms and hands-on learning for early childhood. A unique aspect for the region is the potential for cultural and language immersion due to the significant Mennonite and international communities associated with Eastern Mennonite University. This can provide a globally aware educational environment not typically found in standard public school curricula.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Eastern Mennonite School for a family in Mount Crawford?
The enrollment process for key schools like Eastern Mennonite School (EMS) begins early in the calendar year for the following fall. EMS typically opens applications in January, with priority deadlines in February or March. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and a family interview. For preschools like Community Mennonite Early Learning Center, timelines can vary, and it's advisable to inquire a year in advance due to limited spots. Given that these schools draw from the entire Shenandoah Valley, Mount Crawford families are encouraged to apply early. Many schools also host open houses in the fall, which is the best first step.
For a family in Mount Crawford, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local Rockingham County Public Schools and area private schools?
The decision hinges on educational philosophy, cost, and community values. Rockingham County Public Schools are highly rated in Virginia, offering a robust, tuition-free education with diverse programs. The choice for a private school often centers on a desire for a specific faith-based education (like the Anabaptist-Christian perspective at EMS), a particular pedagogical approach (like Montessori), or smaller class sizes. For Mount Crawford families, transportation is a practical factor; public school busing is provided, while private schools require personal transportation to Harrisonburg. The intimate, close-knit community of the local private schools can be a major draw, but it comes with a financial commitment that public schools do not require.
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