The Best Private Schools in Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Fish Creek. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Sturgeon Bay Catholic School
Catholic School System of Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade and draws families from throughout Door County, including Fish Creek. The school provides a comprehensive Catholic education with strong academic foundations, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty. Their curriculum emphasizes faith formation alongside rigorous academics, with specialized programs in technology, music, and art. The school community is known for its family atmosphere and strong parent involvement, with many extracurricular activities including sports, academic competitions, and community service opportunities.
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Notre Dame Academy
Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE)
Notre Dame Academy is a premier Catholic high school serving students from throughout Northeast Wisconsin, including Door County communities like Fish Creek. The school offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses and International Baccalaureate options. Their state-of-the-art facilities include modern science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with strong athletic programs and extensive extracurricular opportunities. Many families from Fish Creek choose Notre Dame for its strong college acceptance record and comprehensive student support services.
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St. John Bosco Catholic School
Diocese of Green Bay
St. John Bosco Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade and is a popular choice for families in northern Door County, including Fish Creek. The school offers a faith-based education with strong emphasis on academic fundamentals, character development, and community service. Their curriculum includes daily religion instruction, comprehensive language arts and mathematics programs, and specialized instruction in music, art, and physical education. The school features modern classrooms, a dedicated library, and technology integration throughout all grade levels. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's welcoming community, experienced teachers, and strong academic outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Fish Creek, Wisconsin
What are the private school options for families residing in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, and are there any schools located directly in the town?
There are no private K-12 schools physically located within the village limits of Fish Creek, WI. Families typically look to neighboring communities in Door County. The primary options include Sturgeon Bay Catholic School (PreK-8) and St. John Bosco Catholic School (PreK-8) in Sturgeon Bay, approximately a 30-minute drive south. For high school, Notre Dame Academy is a common choice, but it is located in Green Bay, about a 70-minute drive from Fish Creek. Many Fish Creek families form carpools to manage these commutes. Some may also consider online private academies or homeschooling cooperatives as alternatives.
How does the tuition for private schools serving Fish Creek, WI, compare, and are there any Wisconsin-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition for the Catholic elementary schools in Sturgeon Bay typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 per year for parishioners, with higher rates for non-parishioners. Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay has a higher tuition, often exceeding $10,000 annually. A critical Wisconsin-specific benefit is the Parental Choice Program (voucher program). While the Sturgeon Bay schools participate in the statewide program, eligibility is based on family income and the student's prior enrollment history (e.g., entering kindergarten, first grade, or ninth grade, or coming from a public school). Fish Creek residents should contact each school's admissions office to determine their specific eligibility for vouchers, scholarships, and parish subsidies.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible from Fish Creek offer that leverage the Door County environment?
Schools like Sturgeon Bay Catholic and St. John Bosco integrate the local environment into their curricula. This includes science programs focused on the ecology of the Green Bay and Lake Michigan watersheds, local history units on Door County's maritime and agricultural heritage, and outdoor education experiences. Extracurricularly, while offerings are more limited than in large urban schools, they often emphasize community-based activities. Given Fish Creek's proximity to Peninsula State Park, some schools may organize field trips for geology, astronomy (at the new Dark Sky Park), or outdoor leadership. The commuting distance, however, can limit participation in after-school clubs for Fish Creek students.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools that Fish Creek families apply to, and are there considerations for mid-year moves?
The enrollment process for the Sturgeon Bay Catholic schools often begins with a January/February open house for the following fall, with registration deadlines in early spring. Due to smaller class sizes, spaces can be limited, so early inquiry is advised. For Notre Dame Academy, the process for freshman enrollment starts even earlier, often in the fall of a student's 8th-grade year. For families moving to Fish Creek mid-year, contacting the school directly is essential, as admission depends on current class sizes. All schools will require academic records, a birth certificate, baptismal certificate (for Catholic schools), and an interview or shadow day. Transportation from Fish Creek is the family's responsibility.
How do the private school options for Fish Creek residents compare academically and socially to the Gibraltar Area School District (public)?
The Gibraltar Area School District, which serves Fish Creek, is a highly regarded public district known for strong academic performance and a wide array of extracurriculars. The primary trade-off for private education is religious formation and typically smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students) in a faith-based environment. Academically, both sectors provide solid foundations, but the public district may offer more diverse elective courses, advanced placement options, and specialized staff due to its larger size. Socially, the private school community can be very tight-knit, but Fish Creek students may feel a geographic separation from peers who live in Sturgeon Bay. The decision often hinges on a family's values regarding religious education versus the convenience and comprehensive programming of the local public school.
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