The Best Private Schools in Cleveland, West Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Cleveland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Charleston Catholic High School
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Charleston Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the greater Kanawha Valley area, including Cleveland. The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with 16 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong emphasis on character development. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. Extracurricular programs encompass competitive sports, performing arts, and numerous clubs and service opportunities.
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St. Albans Academy
Independent
St. Albans Academy provides a classical education model focused on developing critical thinking and moral character. Serving students from Cleveland and surrounding communities, the school emphasizes traditional academic excellence with a structured curriculum that includes Latin, logic, and rhetoric. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, allowing for personalized attention. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, and athletic fields. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and commitment to developing well-rounded students through arts, athletics, and community service.
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Sacred Heart Grade School
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Sacred Heart Grade School has served the Charleston metropolitan area, including Cleveland families, for over six decades. The school provides a comprehensive elementary education grounded in Catholic values with strong emphasis on academic fundamentals. The curriculum includes integrated technology, STEM enrichment programs, and specialized instruction in music, art, and physical education. The school features updated facilities with smart classrooms, a dedicated library, and secure playground areas. Parents consistently praise the nurturing environment, experienced faculty, and strong sense of community that prepares students for success in high school and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Cleveland, West Virginia
What are the realistic private school options for families living in Cleveland, West Virginia, given that the top schools listed are in Charleston and St. Albans?
For families in Cleveland, WV, private schooling requires consideration of a commute, as there are no major private school campuses within the immediate town. The primary options are in the greater Charleston area, approximately a 30-45 minute drive. These include Charleston Catholic High School (grades 9-12) in Charleston, St. Albans Academy (K-8) in St. Albans, and Sacred Heart Grade School (K-8) in Charleston. Many families in Cleveland and surrounding rural areas form carpools. It's important to research each school's specific transportation policies, as most do not provide district-wide bus service to Cleveland.
How does tuition at private schools like Charleston Catholic compare to the West Virginia state average, and what financial aid options are available for Cleveland residents?
Tuition at schools like Charleston Catholic High School typically ranges from $8,000 to $11,000 annually for parishioners and slightly more for non-parishioners, which is near or slightly above the West Virginia private school average. A significant financial resource for Cleveland families is the West Virginia Hope Scholarship, a state-funded Education Savings Account (ESA) program. This program provides eligible families who choose to leave the public school system with funds that can be applied to private school tuition, making these schools more accessible. Additionally, most schools offer need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for active members.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do these Kanawha Valley private schools offer that might benefit a student from a rural community like Cleveland?
Schools like Charleston Catholic offer robust college preparatory programs with Advanced Placement (AP) courses and consistent high academic ratings, which can be a strong complement to a student's rural upbringing. They often provide specialized opportunities in STEM, arts, and theology that may not be as available in smaller public school districts. Furthermore, their athletic and activity programs compete at the state level in the WVSSAC, offering competitive sports and clubs. For a Cleveland student, this can mean expanded social networks, exposure to a wider range of academic disciplines, and enhanced college counseling resources.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a Cleveland family applying to a private school like St. Albans Academy or Sacred Heart Grade School?
The enrollment process for these schools usually begins in the fall or winter for the following academic year. Key steps include: 1) Attending an open house or scheduling a tour (often held between October and February), 2) Submitting an application by a priority deadline, typically in early spring (March/April), 3) Providing records from your current school in Cleveland (e.g., St. Albans Elementary or Herbert Hoover High feeder schools), 4) Possibly completing an entrance assessment or student interview, and 5) Awaiting an admissions decision by late spring. Early application is encouraged, especially for younger grades where spaces are limited. Sibling and parish member status often receive priority.
For a family in Cleveland, what are the key factors to consider when deciding between the local public schools (like Herbert Hoover High) and a private school in Charleston?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Commute & Community:** A daily 45+ minute commute to Charleston is a significant time and logistical commitment versus the local community school. **Academic Focus:** Private schools offer a specific religious education (Catholic) and often smaller class sizes, while Herbert Hoover High provides a comprehensive public education with its own strengths, including vocational programs. **Cost:** Public school is free, while private school requires tuition, though the Hope Scholarship can offset this. **Extracurriculars:** Consider which school better supports your child's specific interests in sports, arts, or clubs, weighing the breadth of options against travel requirements. Many Cleveland families value the close-knit public school community, while others seek the distinct college-prep and faith-based environment of the Charleston-area private schools.
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