The Best Private Schools in Delafield, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Delafield. 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 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Located approximately 20 miles from Delafield, USM offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and exceptional faculty. The 120-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and offers over 60 extracurricular activities. With a 100% college acceptance rate, USM consistently ranks among the top private schools in Wisconsin.
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The Prairie School
Independent
The Prairie School is an independent college preparatory school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, located approximately 30 miles from Delafield. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program alongside a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and global perspectives. The 50-acre campus, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Associates, features innovative learning spaces, science laboratories, art studios, and athletic facilities. Prairie School maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and offers extensive extracurricular programs including championship athletics and performing arts.
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St. John's Northwestern Academies
Independent Military Academy
Located directly in Delafield, St. John's Northwestern Academies is a premier military boarding and day school serving grades 7-12. The academy combines rigorous academics with military structure and leadership development. The 180-acre campus features modern academic buildings, athletic facilities, and residential halls. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, character education, and extensive extracurricular opportunities including athletics, fine arts, and leadership programs. The academy maintains small class sizes and personalized attention for student success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Delafield, Wisconsin
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Delafield, Wisconsin, and what are their key characteristics?
While Delafield itself is home to the prestigious boarding and day school St. John's Northwestern Academies, families in the area also frequently consider nearby institutions. The University School of Milwaukee (USM), located about 25 minutes east in Milwaukee, is a top-tier, co-ed, JK-12 independent day school. The Prairie School, roughly 30 minutes south in Racine, offers a progressive, college-preparatory education from pre-K through 12th grade. St. John's Northwestern, situated in Delafield, provides both military and non-military leadership academies for grades 7-12, along with a co-ed day school option. This cluster of schools offers a range of educational philosophies, from classical leadership training to innovative, project-based learning, all within a reasonable commute from Delafield.
How does tuition for private schools in the Delafield, WI, area compare, and are there Wisconsin-specific financial aid or tuition assistance programs?
Tuition in the Delafield area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at St. John's Northwestern Academies can range from approximately $20,000 to $30,000, while boarding costs are higher. University School of Milwaukee and The Prairie School have tuitions typically ranging from $25,000 to $30,000+ for upper grades. Importantly, Wisconsin offers the **Parental Choice Program (School Choice)**, which provides state-funded vouchers for eligible families to attend participating private schools. While the specific eligibility and participation vary by school and student residency, this program can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs. All major schools in the area also offer robust need-based financial aid through their own endowment funds.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Delafield, Wisconsin, that leverage the local environment or community?
Schools in the Delafield area capitalize on Southeastern Wisconsin's resources. St. John's Northwestern Academies, with its 110-acre campus on the shores of Nagawicka Lake, features unique leadership development programs, aviation ground school, and robust JROTC programs. Its location allows for environmental science studies directly on the lake and in local ecosystems. University School of Milwaukee offers extensive global studies programs and partnerships with Milwaukee's cultural institutions, like the Milwaukee Art Museum and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. The Prairie School’s emphasis on interdisciplinary, hands-on learning is complemented by its proximity to the Racine and Lake Michigan communities for ecological and civic projects. All schools utilize the region's strong business and academic networks for internships and partnerships.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Delafield, WI, and when should parents begin planning?
The admission process for competitive private schools in the Delafield area is highly structured and begins early. For entry points like Junior Kindergarten (JK), Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades, the process often starts **12-18 months in advance**. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically held in the fall), submitting applications by January or February for the following fall, completing student assessments and interviews, and receiving decisions in March. For St. John's Northwestern, which accepts boarding students, the timeline may be more flexible but still benefits from early application. Given the limited seats and competitive nature of schools like USM and The Prairie School, families in Delafield are advised to begin research and campus visits the spring before they intend to apply.
For families in Delafield, what are the primary considerations when comparing the local public school district (Kettle Moraine) to the nearby private school options?
The Kettle Moraine School District is highly regarded, which makes the decision nuanced. Key considerations include: **Class Size and Individual Attention** (private schools often have significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios); **Educational Philosophy** (Kettle Moraine offers a strong standard curriculum, while private options provide distinct approaches like military leadership, progressive education, or a classical college-prep model); **Specialized Programs** (private schools may offer more intensive arts, global studies, or leadership tracks); **Cost** (public school is tax-funded, while private requires tuition, though offset by potential aid/vouchers); and **Community** (private schools often draw from a wider geographic region, which can expand a child's network but may localize friendships outside the immediate Delafield neighborhood). Many Delafield families choose Kettle Moraine for its excellence, while others seek the specific mission and tailored environment of a private institution.
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