The Best Private Schools in Kennan, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kennan. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Catholic School
Diocese of Superior
St. Mary's Catholic School serves the Kennan area from nearby Phillips, offering a comprehensive Catholic education for students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside strong academic preparation, with dedicated teachers providing individualized attention in small class sizes. Facilities include modern classrooms, a gymnasium, and dedicated spaces for music and art programs. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community connections, with many families commuting from surrounding rural communities including Kennan.
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Trinity Lutheran School
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Trinity Lutheran School provides Christ-centered education to families throughout Price County, including the Kennan community. Serving students from early childhood through 8th grade, the school combines rigorous academics with spiritual development. The curriculum includes strong emphasis on core subjects, foreign language exposure, and comprehensive music education. The school features well-maintained facilities, experienced faculty, and a supportive community environment. Many families choose Trinity for its balanced approach to education and strong moral foundation.
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Northland Lutheran High School
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
While located further from Kennan, Northland Lutheran High School serves students from across north-central Wisconsin, including Price County. This coeducational Christian high school offers comprehensive college preparatory programs with small class sizes and individualized attention. The campus features modern academic facilities, athletic complexes, and dedicated spaces for performing arts. The school maintains strong academic outcomes with graduates consistently accepted to competitive colleges. Transportation options and boarding arrangements make it accessible to rural families seeking quality secondary education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kennan, Wisconsin
What are the main private school options available for families in Kennan, Wisconsin, and what grade levels do they serve?
Kennan, WI, offers a small but dedicated set of private, faith-based schools. The primary options are St. Mary's Catholic School (typically grades K-8), Trinity Lutheran School (typically grades K-8), and Northland Lutheran High School (grades 9-12). This structure means many local families choose a Lutheran or Catholic elementary/middle school and then have a direct pathway to a Lutheran high school within the community. There are no large, secular independent private schools in immediate Kennan, so the educational landscape is defined by these religious institutions that serve the local parishes and community.
How does tuition at private schools in Kennan, WI, compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options specific to Wisconsin?
Tuition at Kennan's private schools is generally below the state average for Wisconsin private schools, reflecting the rural nature of the area. For the 2024-2025 academic year, elementary tuition at schools like St. Mary's or Trinity Lutheran often ranges from $2,500 to $4,500 annually, with parish member discounts significantly reducing costs. Northland Lutheran High School tuition is higher, typically between $6,000 and $8,000. Critically, Wisconsin parents can leverage the statewide **Parental Choice Program**, which provides vouchers for eligible families to attend participating private schools, potentially covering all or most of tuition. All three Kennan schools are likely participants in this program, making them more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Kennan's private schools offer that leverage their Northwoods setting?
Private schools in Kennan uniquely integrate their Northwoods environment into education. Academically, this may include local ecology and forestry units, Wisconsin history with a focus on logging and indigenous cultures, and agricultural science. Extracurricularly, these schools often have strong connections to local community activities rather than offering a vast array of internal sports teams. Students might participate in community baseball, skiing, or fishing clubs. Northland Lutheran High School may offer specialized vocational or agricultural tracks alongside college prep, responding to the regional economic landscape. The small size ensures outdoor education and hands-on learning are a natural part of the curriculum.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Kennan, and is there a priority for local or parish families?
The enrollment process for Kennan's private schools begins early in the calendar year, often with open houses in January or February. Priority enrollment is almost always given to: 1) Siblings of currently enrolled students, 2) Active members of the supporting church parish (for St. Mary's and Trinity Lutheran), and 3) Families applying for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program by the state deadline (usually early February). Applications for general community members are typically due by March or April for the following fall. Given the small size of these schools, spaces are limited, and applying during the priority period is crucial. Direct contact with the school office is the best first step.
For families considering both options, what are the key differences between the Kennan School District (public) and the local private schools?
The key differences lie in scale, curriculum, and community. The **Kennan School District** (public) serves a broader geographic area, likely offering more extensive extracurriculars, sports teams, and potentially advanced placement courses due to larger class cohorts. The **private schools** in Kennan (St. Mary's, Trinity, Northland Lutheran) offer much smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), a faith-based education integrated throughout the day, and a tight-knit community centered around shared values. The private school pathway involves a K-8 and then 9-12 split between institutions, whereas public school is typically K-12 in one district. For many families, the decision hinges on the desire for religious education and personalized attention versus the wider program variety of the public system.
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