The Best Private Schools in Grafton, West Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Grafton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Trinity Christian School
Independent Christian School
Trinity Christian School is a highly-rated classical Christian school located in Morgantown, serving families throughout north-central West Virginia including Grafton area residents. The school employs a classical education model combined with Christian worldview integration across all subjects. Academic programs include rigorous college preparatory coursework, advanced mathematics and science, comprehensive language arts, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and a strong track record of college placements. Many families commute from surrounding counties for this nationally recognized classical education program.
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Notre Dame High School
Catholic Schools of Fairmont-Clarksburg
Notre Dame High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving students from multiple counties including Taylor County where Grafton is located. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with multiple AP courses, strong STEM programs, and comprehensive extracurricular activities including competitive athletics and fine arts. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Notre Dame maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence. The school serves as a regional educational hub for families seeking private Catholic education in north-central West Virginia.
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St. Francis Central Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
St. Francis Central Catholic School provides a classical Catholic education serving students from preschool through 12th grade, drawing families from throughout the region including Grafton. The school combines Catholic tradition with classical education methods, emphasizing critical thinking, moral development, and academic excellence. The curriculum includes strong STEM programs, comprehensive humanities, foreign language instruction, and extensive fine arts opportunities. With modern facilities, dedicated faculty, and a strong sense of community, St. Francis maintains high academic standards and excellent college acceptance rates while serving as a regional educational option for families seeking faith-based classical education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Grafton, West Virginia
What are the primary private school options available for families in Grafton, West Virginia, and what grade levels do they serve?
Grafton, WV, is served by a small number of dedicated private institutions. The primary options are Notre Dame High School (grades 9-12), Trinity Christian School (typically K-12), and St. Francis Central Catholic School (Pre-K through 8). It's important to note that some of these schools, like St. Francis, are located in nearby Morgantown but serve the broader region, including Grafton families. This means commuting may be a consideration. For continuous Catholic education, a common path is St. Francis for elementary/middle and Notre Dame for high school.
How does tuition at Grafton-area private schools compare to the West Virginia state average, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for private schools serving Grafton is generally below the national average but aligns with regional West Virginia costs. For the 2023-2024 year, tuition at schools like Notre Dame High School often ranges between $7,000-$9,000 annually. West Virginia offers significant financial support through the Hope Scholarship Program, a state-funded ESA (Education Savings Account) that provides eligible students leaving public education with funds that can be used for private school tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. Additionally, all local private schools offer need-based financial aid, parish subsidies for Catholic families, and sibling discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Grafton area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools serving Grafton emphasize small class sizes and values-based education. Academically, Notre Dame High School offers a college-prep curriculum with dual-credit courses through partnerships with local universities like Fairmont State. Trinity Christian School integrates a Biblical worldview across all subjects. A key differentiator is specialized programming that smaller public schools may not offer, such as consistent world language instruction from elementary grades, robust music and art programs, and faith-based service learning projects that connect students to the Grafton and Taylor County community. Many also have strong athletics traditions despite their smaller size.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like Notre Dame or Trinity Christian School for a family living in Grafton?
The process for Grafton families typically begins in the winter prior to the desired fall enrollment. Key steps include: 1) Attending an open house or scheduling a shadow day (highly encouraged). 2) Submitting an application by March or April for priority consideration, though rolling admissions are often available. 3) Providing academic records, standardized test scores, and teacher recommendations. 4) For Catholic schools, providing baptismal records. 5) Completing a family interview. Financial aid applications usually run concurrently. Given the limited seats, especially in the lower grades, initiating contact by January is advisable. Schools are accustomed to working with families who commute from Grafton.
For a family in Grafton, what are the practical considerations of choosing a local public school versus a private school, especially regarding community and transportation?
The decision involves several Grafton-specific factors. Public schools in Taylor County offer proximity, no tuition, and comprehensive extracurriculars. The private school choice often involves a commute of 30-45 minutes to Morgantown (for St. Francis) or Clarksburg (for Notre Dame), so transportation logistics and cost are major considerations. However, private schools provide a close-knit, consistent community often spanning K-12, which can be appealing in a rural area. Academically, private schools may offer more accelerated tracks and individualized attention. The values-based environment is a primary draw. Utilizing the West Virginia Hope Scholarship can significantly offset tuition, making the financial aspect more comparable when weighing the unique benefits each option provides in the Grafton context.
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