The Best Private Schools in Clarksburg, West Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Clarksburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bridgeport United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten
Bridgeport United Methodist Church
Located just minutes from Clarksburg in neighboring Bridgeport, this highly-rated preschool and kindergarten serves families throughout Harrison County. The school offers developmentally appropriate early childhood education with a focus on kindergarten readiness through play-based and structured learning activities. The program features experienced educators, modern classroom facilities, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes literacy development, mathematics foundation, social skills, and creative arts. The school is known for its nurturing environment and strong parent-teacher communication, with many graduates transitioning successfully to area elementary schools.
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Notre Dame High School
Catholic Schools of West Virginia
Notre Dame High School is a Catholic college preparatory school serving grades 9-12 with a strong academic reputation in the Clarksburg area. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and competitive athletic teams. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development and community service alongside academic excellence, with a high college acceptance rate and small class sizes for personalized attention.
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St. Mary's School
Catholic Schools of West Virginia
St. Mary's School provides Catholic education for students in preschool through 8th grade, serving the Clarksburg community with a tradition of academic excellence. The school features a strong foundational curriculum with emphasis on literacy, mathematics, and faith formation. Facilities include updated classrooms, a library, computer lab, and playground areas. The school maintains small class sizes and offers various extracurricular activities including sports, music, and community service programs, creating a nurturing environment focused on whole-child development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Clarksburg, West Virginia
What are the main private school options available for K-12 education in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and what grade levels do they serve?
Clarksburg, WV, offers a limited but distinct selection of private schools, primarily with a religious affiliation. Notre Dame High School is the primary option for secondary education, serving grades 9-12 as a Catholic, college-preparatory institution. For younger students, St. Mary's School provides a Catholic education from Pre-K through 8th grade. Bridgeport United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten, located in the adjacent community of Bridgeport, serves the early childhood needs of the broader Harrison County area. Parents should note that there are no non-sectarian private day schools within Clarksburg city limits for the elementary and middle school years, making St. Mary's a key local option.
How does tuition for private schools in Clarksburg, WV, compare to the state average, and are there any state-sponsored financial aid programs available to West Virginia residents?
Tuition at Clarksburg-area private schools is generally below the national private school average but consistent with regional costs in West Virginia. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Notre Dame High School tuition is approximately $8,000-$9,000, while St. Mary's School is roughly $5,000-$6,000 for parishioners. Critically, West Virginia offers the Hope Scholarship Program, an education savings account (ESA) for eligible students exiting the public school system. This state-funded program can provide significant financial assistance (over $4,000 annually) that can be applied to private school tuition, making private education in Clarksburg more accessible for many families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Clarksburg area that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in Clarksburg leverage their smaller size and specific missions to offer specialized programs. Notre Dame High School emphasizes its college-prep curriculum with a required theology program and offers unique extracurriculars like robotics, a strong tradition in athletics (particularly soccer and basketball), and community service requirements. St. Mary's School integrates faith-based learning throughout its curriculum and can offer more individualized attention in core subjects. A notable differentiator in this region is the focus on character and moral development within a close-knit community environment, which is a stated priority for both Notre Dame and St. Mary's, appealing to families seeking that specific foundation.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Notre Dame High School and St. Mary's School in Clarksburg, WV?
The enrollment process for Clarksburg's private schools often begins early in the calendar year for the following fall. Notre Dame High School typically hosts open houses in the fall and winter, with application deadlines in early spring (February/March). The process includes submission of records, teacher recommendations, and an entrance exam or placement test. St. Mary's School, serving younger grades, may have a rolling admissions policy but encourages applications by spring for guaranteed placement, with priority often given to siblings and parish members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. It is highly advisable for parents to contact these schools directly by January to request information and secure application materials, as spaces, particularly in specific grades, can be limited.
For families considering both sectors, what are some key practical differences between the private schools in Clarksburg and the public schools within Harrison County Schools?
The most immediate differences are scale, cost, and curriculum focus. Harrison County public schools, like Liberty High School or Washington Irving Middle School, are tuition-free and offer a broader range of elective courses, advanced placement (AP) classes, and larger-scale athletic programs due to their larger student bodies. Clarksburg's private schools offer smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25+), a pervasive religious and values-based education, and a consistent college-prep track at the high school level. Transportation is another key factor; while Harrison County provides busing, private school families in Clarksburg are generally responsible for their own transportation. The decision often hinges on a family's priority for a specific faith-based environment and community versus the wider program variety and no-tuition model of the public system.
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