The Best Private Schools in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Baileys Harbor. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Summit School
Independent
The Summit School is a highly-regarded independent Montessori school serving the Door County region, including Baileys Harbor. Founded with a focus on child-centered education, the school offers a comprehensive Montessori program from early childhood through middle school. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, environmental stewardship, and individualized academic development. Located just 15 minutes from Baileys Harbor in Sturgeon Bay, the school features extensive outdoor learning spaces, dedicated art studios, and a strong community focus. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, experienced teachers, and innovative approach to education that balances academic rigor with creative expression.
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St. John Bosco School
Catholic
St. John Bosco School is a long-standing Catholic private school serving families throughout Door County, including Baileys Harbor. The school provides education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong foundation in Catholic values and academic excellence. The comprehensive curriculum includes advanced STEM programs, robust music and arts education, and competitive athletic opportunities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains a family-like atmosphere while preparing students for success in high school and beyond. The school's location in Sturgeon Bay makes it easily accessible for Baileys Harbor families, and many students participate in the school's extensive extracurricular activities and community service programs.
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Stella Maris Academy
Stella Maris Catholic Parish
Stella Maris Academy is a respected Catholic school serving the northern Door County community, including Baileys Harbor families. Located in nearby Egg Harbor, approximately 10 miles from Baileys Harbor, the school offers education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith formation and academic achievement. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated technology resources, and a supportive learning environment. The curriculum balances core academic subjects with religious education, character development, and community involvement. Parents appreciate the school's commitment to individual student growth, experienced teaching staff, and strong sense of community that extends throughout the Door Peninsula region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin
What are the specific private school options available for families residing in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin?
Baileys Harbor itself is a small village, so most private school options are located in the broader Door County region. The primary private institutions that serve Baileys Harbor families include The Summit School in nearby Fish Creek, which offers a Montessori education for grades K-8, and Stella Maris Academy, a Catholic school in Sturgeon Bay serving grades PK-8. St. John Bosco School is also a Catholic option in Sturgeon Bay. For high school, families often look at private boarding schools outside the immediate area or utilize Wisconsin's open enrollment for public schools in neighboring districts. Transportation to these schools from Baileys Harbor is typically a parent responsibility.
How does Wisconsin's Parental Choice Program affect private school tuition for Baileys Harbor residents?
Wisconsin's Parental Choice Programs can significantly reduce tuition costs for eligible families. The statewide program and the Racine and Milwaukee programs do not directly apply to Door County. However, Baileys Harbor residents may qualify for the **Wisconsin Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP)**, which is available statewide. This program provides a voucher for students with an IEP to attend a participating private school, such as Stella Maris Academy or The Summit School, if they choose to participate. It's crucial to contact schools directly to confirm their participation and your child's eligibility, as this can make a private education more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Baileys Harbor area offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in Door County uniquely integrate the peninsula's natural and cultural resources. The Summit School's Montessori philosophy emphasizes outdoor, experiential learning, which can include studies of the local ecosystems in Peninsula State Park or the shores of Lake Michigan. Stella Maris Academy and St. John Bosco School often incorporate local history, like maritime heritage or cherry orchard agriculture, into their curricula. Extracurriculars may be more limited due to school size, but partnerships with local community organizations for arts, sailing, or skiing are common, offering a distinctive, place-based education you wouldn't find in an urban setting.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Baileys Harbor, and are there waitlists?
Given the limited number of seats in small private schools, planning ahead is essential. Most schools, like The Summit School and Stella Maris Academy, begin their priority enrollment for existing families and siblings in January for the following fall. Open enrollment for new families often runs from February through April. Due to high demand and small class sizes, especially in the lower grades, waitlists are common. It is highly recommended to initiate inquiries a full year in advance. The process usually includes a school tour, application submission, student assessment or visit, and a family interview. Some schools may have rolling admission if space allows.
For a family in Baileys Harbor, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school (Gibraltar Area Schools) to the available private options?
The key considerations are educational philosophy, class size, and community. Gibraltar Area Schools in Fish Creek is the designated public district for Baileys Harbor, offering a traditional K-12 continuum with broader extracurriculars (e.g., sports, music) and no tuition. Private options offer specific pedagogies (Montessori at The Summit) or religious education (Catholic at Stella Maris/St. John Bosco), often with much smaller class sizes for individualized attention. A major practical factor is transportation; the public district provides busing, while private schools require a daily commute to Sturgeon Bay or Fish Creek. The decision often hinges on whether a family values a specialized approach and community over the convenience and comprehensive offerings of the public system.
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