The Best Private Schools in Lakewood, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lakewood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Notre Dame de la Baie Academy
Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE)
Notre Dame Academy is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving Northeast Wisconsin, including the Lakewood area. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 20+ Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM initiatives, and competitive athletic programs. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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St. John Bosco Catholic School
Diocese of Green Bay
St. John Bosco provides a classical Catholic education serving families throughout Brown County, including Lakewood. The school emphasizes virtue formation alongside academic excellence through its classical curriculum. Features include small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, comprehensive technology integration, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and family-centered approach to education.
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Fox Valley Lutheran High School
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Fox Valley Lutheran High School serves students from throughout Northeast Wisconsin, including the Lakewood area, with transportation options available. The school offers a comprehensive Christian education with strong academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses and career technical education pathways. Campus features include modern classrooms, science and technology labs, performing arts facilities, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains high academic standards while emphasizing spiritual development and character formation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lakewood, Wisconsin
What are the primary private school options available for families in Lakewood, Wisconsin, and what grade levels do they serve?
Lakewood, WI, is served by several notable private schools, primarily with a religious affiliation. The top options include **Notre Dame de la Baie Academy** in Green Bay (a short commute), which is a co-educational Catholic high school (grades 9-12). **St. John Bosco Catholic School** in Howard provides a Catholic education for grades K-8. For Lutheran education, **Fox Valley Lutheran High School** in Appleton serves grades 9-12. It's important for Lakewood parents to note that these schools are located in neighboring communities, as Lakewood itself is a smaller town. Transportation is a key consideration, and many families carpool or utilize limited school-provided bus services from surrounding areas.
How does tuition at private schools like Notre Dame de la Baie Academy compare, and are there Wisconsin-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly. For the 2024-25 year, Notre Dame de la Baie Academy's tuition is approximately $10,000-$11,000, while Fox Valley Lutheran High School is around $9,000-$10,000. Elementary tuition at St. John Bosco is lower, typically in the $4,000-$6,000 range. A critical Wisconsin-specific financial consideration is the **Parental Choice Program**, which allows eligible families to receive a state-funded voucher to attend participating private schools, significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs. Income limits and school participation apply, so checking each school's financial aid page is essential. All these schools also offer substantial need-based aid and parish subsidies for member families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Lakewood-area private schools offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools in this region often integrate Northeast Wisconsin's culture and natural resources. **Notre Dame de la Baie Academy** features strong STEM programs and a renowned Triton Manufacturing Center, connecting to the area's industrial and manufacturing economy. **Fox Valley Lutheran** offers extensive agricultural science and environmental studies, relevant to the rural communities around Lakewood. Furthermore, given the proximity to the Door County peninsula and Green Bay, many schools have robust outdoor education, ecology clubs, and marine biology modules. Athletics often emphasize outdoor activities like cross-country skiing and hiking, taking advantage of the Northwoods setting.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Notre Dame or Fox Valley Lutheran for a student from Lakewood?
The process for these popular schools begins early. For 9th-grade enrollment, families should start in the **fall of the student's 8th-grade year** (around September-October). Key steps include: 1) Attending open houses (often held in October-November), 2) Submitting an application by January-February, 3) Taking a placement exam (usually in January), and 4) Applying for financial aid/vouchers by spring deadlines. For Lakewood residents, proving residency in Wisconsin is key for voucher eligibility. Rolling admissions may be available for other grades, but spaces are limited. Contacting the admissions office directly to discuss the commute from Lakewood is highly recommended.
For a family in Lakewood, what are the main considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school in a neighboring city?
The decision hinges on several Lakewood-specific factors. **Commute:** Public school is locally based, while private options require a 30-60 minute drive to Green Bay or Appleton, impacting daily schedules and extracurricular participation. **Educational Approach:** Public schools follow state standards, while private schools like Notre Dame or Fox Valley Lutheran offer a faith-based education with specific moral curricula. **Cost vs. Investment:** Public school is tuition-free. Private school requires financial planning but may be offset by Wisconsin vouchers. **Community:** Lakewood public schools offer a tight-knit, local community. Private schools offer a larger, regionally diverse network but may require more effort to integrate due to the commute. Visiting both your local public school and the private options is crucial to feel the difference.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Elementary Schools Near Lakewood, Wisconsin for Your Child
If you’re a parent in Lakewood, Wisconsin, typing “private elementary schools near me” into a search engine, you’re likely seeking more than just a list of names. You’re looking for an educational environment that aligns with your family’s values, offers a strong academic foundation, and feels like a true community. The search for the right fit is deeply personal, and here in the Northwoods, our options, while select, offer distinct pathways for young learners. Understanding the local landscape is the first step in making a confident decision for your child’s early education.
Lakewood itself, a welcoming community nestled in Oconto County, provides a peaceful, family-centric backdrop for learning. While the village is primarily served by the public Wabeno Area School District, families seeking private education often look to neighboring communities, which requires a consideration of commute. This is a practical reality for many Lakewood families, making the “near me” search extend to a reasonable driving radius. The journey becomes part of the commitment, often seen as an investment in a specific type of educational experience. The most prominent local options include faith-based institutions, which integrate spiritual development with core academics, a feature many families in our region deeply value.
For elementary-aged children, a key institution to consider is St. John Bosco Catholic School in nearby Howard. This school provides a structured, faith-filled environment for students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, offering a continuous educational journey before high school. Its curriculum weaves Catholic teachings into all subjects, fostering character development alongside literacy and mathematics. Another significant presence, though not an elementary school itself, is Notre Dame de la Baie Academy in Green Bay. As a premier Catholic high school, it represents a potential destination for graduates of local private elementary programs, highlighting the importance of considering the entire K-12 trajectory when choosing an elementary school. Similarly, Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton serves as a feeder school destination for many Lutheran elementary programs in the wider region.
When researching “private elementary schools near me” from Lakewood, it’s crucial to visit and ask pointed questions. Inquire about classroom sizes, teacher retention, and how the school fosters a close-knit community—a quality that often mirrors the small-town feel we appreciate here. Ask about their approach to science and outdoor education; our surrounding natural environment is a phenomenal classroom in itself. Also, discuss transportation options, as some schools may offer bus services from central locations. Finally, engage with other parents. Conversations at local spots like the Lakewood Area Community Center or the Farmers Market can provide invaluable, honest insights about daily life at these schools. Your search is about finding a place where your child will be known, nurtured, and challenged, building a foundation for success in our unique Wisconsin community and beyond.
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