The Best Private Schools in De Pere, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in De Pere. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Norbert College - Early Learning Center & 4K Program
St. Norbert College
Operated by St. Norbert College, this highly-regarded early learning center provides exceptional private education for young children in De Pere. The program benefits from college resources and follows developmentally appropriate practices with certified teachers. Facilities include modern classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and access to college amenities. The curriculum emphasizes social-emotional development, literacy, and foundational academic skills while maintaining small class sizes for individualized attention.
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St. Joseph School
Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE)
St. Joseph School is a longstanding Catholic elementary school located in downtown De Pere, serving students from pre-K through 8th grade. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum rooted in Catholic values with strong emphasis on core academics, faith formation, and character development. Modern facilities include technology-integrated classrooms, science labs, and dedicated spaces for music and art. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular activities including sports, choir, and community service programs.
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Notre Dame Academy
Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE)
Notre Dame Academy is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the De Pere and greater Green Bay area. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence through its Triton Value program.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in De Pere, Wisconsin
What are the main types of private school options available in De Pere, Wisconsin, and how do they differ?
De Pere offers a few distinct private school models. Notre Dame Academy is a private, independent Catholic college-preparatory high school (grades 9-12) known for its rigorous academics and extensive extracurriculars. St. Joseph School is a parish-based Catholic elementary and middle school (typically Pre-K through 8th grade) offering a faith-based curriculum integrated with standard academics. St. Norbert College hosts an Early Learning Center & 4K Program, which provides a lab-school environment focused on early childhood development, often benefiting from its connection to the college's education department. This gives parents options ranging from early childhood lab schools to parish K-8 education and a standalone college-prep high school.
How does tuition for private schools in De Pere, WI, compare, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-25 academic year, Notre Dame Academy's tuition is approximately $10,000-$11,000, while St. Joseph School's parishioner tuition is typically around $4,000-$5,000 for elementary grades. Wisconsin offers critical financial aid options: the **Parental Choice Program** (voucher program) allows eligible families to receive state funding to attend participating private schools, including religious ones, based on income. Both Notre Dame Academy and St. Joseph School participate in this program. Additionally, many schools offer parish subsidies, multi-child discounts, and need-based scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in De Pere that leverage the local community?
De Pere private schools utilize the local environment for unique programs. Notre Dame Academy offers a robust **Global Studies Certificate** and extensive Advanced Placement (AP) courses, with partnerships for dual-credit opportunities through local colleges like St. Norbert College. Its location on the Fox River also supports environmental science initiatives. St. Joseph School integrates its Catholic identity with service learning projects at local De Pere organizations. The St. Norbert College Early Learning Center provides a unique "lab school" setting where curriculum is informed by current childhood development research and college student-teachers, offering a distinctive early education model not commonly found elsewhere.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in De Pere, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process in De Pere typically begins in January or February for the following fall, with open houses held in the winter. For schools like St. Joseph, priority is often given to registered parishioners and siblings of current students. Notre Dame Academy holds a formal application period for incoming 9th graders that includes submission of records, standardized test scores, and sometimes a shadow day. Due to limited seats, especially in popular grades and early childhood programs like the St. Norbert College 4K, waitlists are common. Families are strongly advised to begin inquiries a full year in advance. The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program application window (typically February-April) is also a critical deadline for those seeking vouchers.
For families considering both sectors, how do the private schools in De Pere compare to the highly-rated De Pere Public School District?
The De Pere Public School District is consistently high-performing, offering a comprehensive, tuition-free K-12 education with diverse programs. The key differentiators for private options are often **specialized identity and community**. Notre Dame Academy provides a dedicated college-prep environment for grades 9-12 with a focus on Catholic values, which the public single high school cannot offer. St. Joseph School offers a seamless faith-based education from early childhood through 8th grade in a smaller, parish-centered setting. The decision often hinges on a family's desire for religious education, specific pedagogical approaches (like the lab-school model at St. Norbert), or a preference for a smaller school community versus the broader programmatic offerings and resources of the larger public district.
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