The Best Private Schools in Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Shepherdstown. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Evergreen Academy
Independent
Evergreen Academy is a highly-regarded Montessori school serving the Eastern Panhandle region including Shepherdstown. The school offers authentic Montessori education for children ages 3-12, focusing on individualized learning and hands-on experiences. With small class sizes and certified Montessori teachers, the school emphasizes academic excellence while nurturing independence and creativity. The campus features well-equipped classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and a comprehensive STEAM program that integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
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St. Joseph School
Catholic Schools of West Virginia
St. Joseph School is a premier Catholic private school serving the Eastern Panhandle, including Shepherdstown families. The school provides a rigorous academic curriculum rooted in Catholic values, with strong emphasis on core subjects, character development, and community service. Features include modern technology integration, comprehensive fine arts programs, competitive sports teams, and small class sizes ensuring personalized attention. The school maintains high academic standards with graduates consistently accepted into top regional high schools.
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The Wildwood Middle School
Independent
The Wildwood Middle School offers a unique progressive education model serving students from Shepherdstown and surrounding communities. The school focuses on project-based learning, critical thinking, and real-world applications across all subjects. With an emphasis on environmental science and sustainability, students engage in hands-on learning through the school's extensive outdoor classroom and garden programs. The intimate learning environment features multi-age classrooms, individualized learning plans, and strong emphasis on social-emotional development alongside academic excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Shepherdstown, West Virginia
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Shepherdstown, WV, and what are their educational approaches?
Shepherdstown offers a few distinct private school options, each with a unique approach. Evergreen Academy is a private, secular school offering a progressive, project-based education with a focus on environmental stewardship and the arts. St. Joseph School is a Catholic parochial school providing a faith-based, traditional academic curriculum from Pre-K through 8th grade, emphasizing moral development and community service. The Wildwood Middle School offers a specialized, experiential education for middle school students, often with a focus on outdoor and place-based learning. It's important to note that Shepherdstown does not have a private high school, so families often look at options in nearby Charles Town, Martinsburg, or even Maryland for secondary education.
How does tuition for private schools in Shepherdstown, WV, compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options specific to West Virginia?
Tuition in Shepherdstown is generally competitive but can vary. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Joseph School's tuition is approximately $5,000-$7,000, while Evergreen Academy and Wildwood Middle School, as smaller independent schools, may have tuition ranging from $8,000 to $12,000. These figures are often below the national average for private schools but may be slightly above the West Virginia state average due to Shepherdstown's proximity to the higher-cost Washington D.C. metro area. West Virginia offers the Hope Scholarship, a state-funded Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which provides eligible families with funds that can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses. All local private schools can provide information on their own need-based financial aid and payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Shepherdstown private schools offer that leverage the local history and environment?
Shepherdstown's rich history and natural setting along the Potomac River directly influence local private school programs. Evergreen Academy and Wildwood Middle School heavily integrate the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the C&O Canal, and the Appalachian Trail into their science and humanities curricula through frequent field studies. St. Joseph School incorporates local history, such as the founding of Shepherdstown and the Battle of Antietam, into social studies units. It's common for these schools to partner with Shepherd University for special programs or to use the town's historic districts and the Potomac River for hands-on learning in ecology, history, and the arts, offering an education deeply connected to the local community and landscape.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Shepherdstown, and are there waiting lists?
The enrollment process in Shepherdstown typically begins in the winter (January-February) for the following fall, with application deadlines often in March. St. Joseph School, as a parish school, may give priority to registered parishioners and siblings of current students. Evergreen Academy and Wildwood Middle School usually require a campus tour, application, student visit day, and often an educational assessment or interview. Due to their small sizes—often with only one class per grade level—these schools can have limited space and waiting lists, particularly for entry-grade levels like Kindergarten or 6th grade. It is highly recommended to initiate inquiries a full year in advance. Rolling admissions may be available if spots remain open after the primary cycle.
For families considering both options, how do the private schools in Shepherdstown compare academically and socially to the public Jefferson County Schools?
The key differences lie in class size, educational philosophy, and specific program offerings. Jefferson County public schools, like Shepherdstown Elementary, offer a robust, standards-based education with a wider array of specialized staff and extracurriculars due to larger scale. Private schools in Shepherdstown offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), allowing for highly individualized instruction. Academically, private schools like Evergreen offer a less standardized, more holistic curriculum, while St. Joseph provides structured learning within a faith-based framework. Socially, the private schools foster tight-knit, community-oriented environments. The choice often comes down to a family's preference for a specific pedagogical approach (progressive vs. traditional), desire for religious education, and the value placed on very small, personalized learning communities versus the resources and diversity of a larger public school system.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Top Private Elementary Schools in Shepherdstown, WV for Your Child
For parents in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the search for the “best private elementary schools near me” is often driven by a desire for a specific kind of educational environment that aligns with our community’s values—one that emphasizes close-knit relationships, individualized attention, and a strong sense of character. Nestled in the historic Eastern Panhandle, Shepherdstown offers a unique setting where education can feel both intimately local and broadly enriching, with several excellent private options within and just beyond the town limits. Your journey will likely lead you to consider a few standout institutions, each with its own distinctive philosophy to match your child’s needs.
One of the most well-regarded options right in town is St. Joseph School, a Catholic parish school that has served the community for generations. It provides a structured, faith-based education from preschool through eighth grade, making it a compelling choice for families seeking continuity and a values-centered curriculum. The small class sizes here are typical of Shepherdstown’s private offerings, ensuring teachers know each student deeply. Another local pillar is Evergreen Academy, which offers a Montessori education for children from toddler age through elementary. Its child-led, hands-on approach is perfect for fostering independent, curious learners in a prepared environment that feels more like an extension of a nurturing home than a traditional classroom. For parents whose children are ready to transition beyond elementary, The Wildwood Middle School provides a unique, progressive environment focused on project-based learning and democratic principles, catering to grades six through eight.
When evaluating the “best private elementary schools near me,” Shepherdstown families should consider the practicalities of our semi-rural location. Your definition of “near” might reasonably extend a short drive into neighboring Charles Town or Martinsburg, where additional parochial and independent schools offer robust programs. This expands choices but makes visiting campuses essential. Spend a morning observing classes; you’ll want to see how a school’s culture resonates with your family. Ask about daily routines, outdoor time—a premium here given our beautiful natural surroundings—and how the curriculum incorporates local history and ecology. Also, inquire about after-school care, which can be a critical factor for working parents in our area where options may be more limited than in larger cities.
Financially, investing in private education here is a significant commitment, but most schools offer tuition assistance or flexible payment plans. It’s important to have open conversations about affordability early in the process. Ultimately, the best school for your child in Shepherdstown is the one where they feel known, challenged, and happy. It’s the place where the teacher greets them by name at the door and where the educational philosophy aligns with how they learn best. By taking the time to visit, ask detailed questions, and reflect on your child’s unique personality, you’ll move beyond a generic search to find a true educational partner right here in our special community.
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