The Best Private Schools in Huntington, West Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Huntington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Joseph Central Catholic High School
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
St. Joseph Central Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the Huntington area with a strong college preparatory focus. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM education, and competitive athletic programs. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, St. Joseph provides personalized attention and maintains high academic standards. The school features modern facilities including science labs, technology resources, and athletic complexes. Extracurricular activities range from academic clubs to performing arts, creating a well-rounded educational experience grounded in Catholic values.
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St. Joseph Grade School
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
St. Joseph Grade School provides exceptional private elementary education in the heart of Huntington, serving students from pre-K through 8th grade. As part of the St. Joseph Catholic School system, this institution offers a strong academic foundation with emphasis on faith development, critical thinking, and character education. The school features updated classrooms, technology integration, dedicated art and music spaces, and secure playground facilities. The curriculum includes specialized instruction in STEM subjects, foreign language exposure, and comprehensive literacy programs. The school is known for its tight-knit community atmosphere and high parent satisfaction rates.
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Grace Christian School
Independent Christian School
Grace Christian School is a respected private Christian institution serving the Huntington community with a comprehensive K-12 program. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a biblical worldview framework, offering rigorous college preparatory courses alongside character development programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, athletic fields, and performance spaces. The school maintains small student-teacher ratios and offers diverse extracurricular opportunities including competitive sports, music programs, and community service initiatives. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and strong academic foundation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Huntington, West Virginia
What are the main types of private school options available to families in Huntington, West Virginia?
Huntington offers a few distinct types of private education. The primary options include Catholic parochial schools, like St. Joseph Central Catholic High School and St. Joseph Grade School, which provide a faith-based education from elementary through high school. There are also independent Christian schools, such as Grace Christian School, which typically offer a Protestant, Bible-integrated curriculum. While the number of schools is limited compared to larger metros, these institutions provide core private options. Some families in the Huntington, WV area also consider nearby schools in adjacent Ohio or Kentucky, or non-traditional models like homeschooling co-ops, to expand their choices.
How does tuition for private schools in Huntington, WV, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options exist locally?
Tuition in Huntington is generally below the national private school average but is a significant consideration for many local families. For the 2023-2024 academic year, elementary tuition at schools like St. Joseph Grade School often ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 annually, while high school tuition at St. Joseph Central Catholic can be between $8,000 and $10,000. These figures are somewhat lower than averages in more affluent West Virginia regions like the Eastern Panhandle. Importantly, all major Huntington private schools offer need-based financial aid, and many have parish subsidy or multi-child discounts for affiliated families. West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Program, a state-funded ESA (Education Savings Account), is also a crucial resource for eligible families choosing private education, helping to offset costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Huntington's private schools offer that leverage the local community?
Huntington's private schools often create programs that connect students to the city's identity. Given Huntington's location as a tri-state hub and home to Marshall University, some schools develop partnerships for dual-enrollment or mentoring programs. St. Joseph Central Catholic High School, for example, emphasizes its college preparatory curriculum with a focus on producing graduates who attend in-state and regional universities. Extracurriculars often reflect local culture, with strong emphasis on community service within Huntington, athletics rivalries with other Ohio Valley schools, and arts programs that may utilize venues like the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. The smaller class sizes allow for personalized projects that can involve local history, the Ohio River ecosystem, or the region's healthcare and industrial heritage.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Huntington, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Huntington private schools like Grace Christian or the St. Joseph schools usually begins in January or February for the following fall. Most schools host open houses in the early winter. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview or student assessment. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in popular elementary grades and kindergarten, it is advisable to apply early. While not all grades have perpetual waitlists, the most sought-after entry points can fill quickly. Many schools give priority to siblings of current students and active members of supporting churches. Rolling admission may be available for mid-year transfers, but planning for a fall start is strongly recommended.
For a family deciding between Huntington's public schools and private options, what are the key differentiating factors specific to this area?
The decision in Huntington often centers on class size, curriculum focus, and school environment. Cabell County Public Schools offer a wide range of programs but can have larger class sizes. Private schools in Huntington provide significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios, often 15:1 or lower, allowing for individualized attention. Academically, private schools here often have a structured, traditional core curriculum with mandatory religion classes and a focus on character education. A practical differentiator is consistency; private schools are not subject to the same county zoning, so families from across Cabell County and even from Ohio or Kentucky may attend, providing a consistent community even if a family moves within the metro area. Furthermore, private schools often have more flexibility in curriculum adaptation and less standardized testing pressure than the public system.
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