The Best Private Schools in Brookfield, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Brookfield. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
University School of Milwaukee
Independent
University School of Milwaukee is a premier independent day school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located just 15 minutes from Brookfield, USM offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes averaging 15 students. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. With a 100% college acceptance rate and numerous National Merit Scholars, USM provides exceptional academic preparation alongside robust arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs.
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St. John Vianney Catholic School
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
St. John Vianney Catholic School provides comprehensive Catholic education from 3-year-old preschool through 8th grade. The school features modern classrooms, a dedicated STEM lab, art room, and music facilities. With a strong focus on faith formation and academic excellence, the curriculum includes daily religion classes, advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, and Spanish instruction. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular activities including sports, choir, and academic clubs, serving families throughout Brookfield and surrounding communities.
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St. Mary's Visitation Parish School
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
St. Mary's Visitation Parish School, located in adjacent Elm Grove just minutes from Brookfield, offers a classical Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade. As one of the oldest continuously operating schools in Wisconsin, it combines rich tradition with modern educational practices. The school features a comprehensive curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, advanced mathematics, and strong language arts. Students benefit from specialized instruction in music, art, physical education, and Spanish. The campus includes updated technology labs, a library media center, and extensive athletic facilities serving families throughout the Brookfield area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Brookfield, Wisconsin
What are the main types of private schools available to families in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and how do they differ?
Brookfield, WI, offers a diverse range of private school options, primarily categorized as independent non-sectarian and faith-based. The University School of Milwaukee, though located just outside Brookfield in Milwaukee, is a premier independent, co-educational, college-preparatory day school serving many Brookfield families. Within Brookfield proper, you'll find parish-based Catholic schools like St. John Vianney Catholic School and St. Mary's Visitation Parish School, which integrate religious education with a strong academic curriculum. These schools differ in educational philosophy, religious affiliation, tuition structure, and campus culture, allowing parents to choose based on their family's values and academic goals.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Brookfield, WI, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Wisconsin?
Tuition in the Brookfield area varies significantly. Parish-based Catholic schools like St. John Vianney and St. Mary's Visitation typically have lower tuition, often with reduced rates for active parish members, ranging from approximately $5,000 to $8,000 annually. The University School of Milwaukee, as a top-tier independent school, has a substantially higher tuition, often exceeding $30,000 per year for upper grades. Wisconsin offers specific financial aid options, most notably the Parental Choice Program (voucher program), which may provide state-funded tuition assistance for eligible families to attend participating private schools. Additionally, most schools offer their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarships.
What are the typical enrollment timelines and key deadlines for private schools in Brookfield, Wisconsin?
Enrollment processes in Brookfield are school-specific but generally follow a regional pattern. For the following academic year, applications often open in August or September, with priority deadlines for returning families and siblings in the fall (October-November). General application deadlines for new families are typically between January and February. Schools like University School of Milwaukee may have earlier, more structured deadlines and require standardized testing (like the ISEE) and interviews. Catholic parish schools may have rolling admission but prioritize parish members. It's crucial to contact schools directly in the fall, as popular grades fill quickly. Many schools also host open houses from October through January.
Beyond academics, what unique extracurricular or community programs are notable at Brookfield-area private schools?
Brookfield-area private schools emphasize well-rounded development. The University School of Milwaukee boasts extensive facilities and programs, including competitive athletics, extensive arts, robotics, and global travel opportunities. Local Catholic schools like St. Mary's Visitation and St. John Vianney often feature strong community service programs rooted in faith, along with competitive sports teams (often part of the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association), music programs, and clubs like forensics and math teams. A unique aspect for Brookfield families is the proximity to Milwaukee's cultural institutions, which many schools integrate into their curricula through field trips and partnerships.
For families considering both options, what are the key practical differences between Brookfield's highly-rated public schools and its private school alternatives?
The Elmbrook School District (serving Brookfield) is consistently ranked among the top public districts in Wisconsin, offering a high-quality, tuition-free education with extensive resources, AP courses, and extracurriculars. The key differences lie in class size, educational approach, and community. Private schools in the area typically offer smaller class sizes (e.g., 15-20 students vs. 25+ in public) and more individualized attention. Private schools also provide a specific value-based environment (whether college-prep rigor at USM or faith-based at parish schools) and often have more uniform curriculum control. The choice often comes down to personal priorities: the comprehensive, tax-supported public system versus a specialized, tuition-based private environment that aligns closely with a family's specific educational philosophy.
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