The Best Private Schools in Livingston, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Livingston. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's School
Catholic Diocese of La Crosse
St. Mary's School is a highly regarded Catholic elementary school serving students from Livingston and surrounding areas in grades K-8. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence and faith-based education, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes core subjects, religious studies, and enrichment programs in STEM and the arts. The school features modern classrooms, a library, and technology resources, supported by dedicated teachers with an average of 15 years of experience. Extracurricular activities include sports, music, and community service projects. Parent satisfaction is high, with praise for the nurturing environment and strong community involvement.
Programs:
St. Clement School
Catholic Diocese of La Crosse
St. Clement School provides a top-tier private education for students in pre-K through 8th grade, drawing families from Livingston and nearby communities. The school is known for its rigorous academic programs, small class sizes, and individualized attention, with a curriculum that integrates faith formation, literacy, mathematics, and creative arts. Facilities include a gymnasium, science lab, and outdoor play areas. The experienced faculty focuses on holistic development, and extracurricular options like basketball, choir, and academic competitions enhance student engagement. Parents consistently rate the school highly for its safe, supportive atmosphere and strong academic outcomes.
Programs:
Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School
Holy Family Catholic Schools
Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 from the Livingston area and beyond, offering a dynamic educational experience within the Holy Family Catholic Schools network. The school emphasizes academic rigor with programs in STEM, language arts, and social studies, complemented by religious education and character development. Facilities include state-of-the-art science and computer labs, a performing arts space, and athletic fields. The school boasts a low student-teacher ratio and a variety of extracurriculars, such as robotics, sports teams, and drama. Parent reviews highlight the school's commitment to excellence, innovative teaching, and a welcoming community environment.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Livingston, Wisconsin
What are the primary private school options available for families in Livingston, Wisconsin, and what grade levels do they serve?
Livingston, Wisconsin, is served by a small cluster of Catholic private schools. St. Mary's School typically offers a Pre-K through 5th or 6th-grade program, providing a foundational elementary education. St. Clement School also serves elementary grades. For middle school, families often look to Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School, which serves grades 6-8 and draws students from Livingston and surrounding communities in Iowa County and Grant County. It's important to note that there are no private high schools directly in Livingston, so families planning for long-term education often consider schools in nearby larger towns like Platteville or Dodgeville, or investigate the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program for other options.
How does the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program affect tuition for private schools in the Livingston area?
The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) can significantly reduce tuition costs for eligible families. Schools like St. Mary's, St. Clement, and Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School may participate in this state-funded voucher program. Eligibility is based on family income and residency requirements. For the 2023-24 school year, income limits for a family of four were approximately $113,000. A family in Livingston meeting the criteria could receive a voucher that covers the school's tuition, making a private, faith-based education much more accessible. It's crucial to contact the specific school's admissions office early, as they have application deadlines for the WPCP, typically in April.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Livingston, WI, offer that reflect the local community?
Private schools in the Livingston area often integrate the region's agricultural and close-knit community values into their programs. For instance, schools may have garden projects or science units focused on local farming and dairy production. Given their Catholic identity, they offer structured religious education and community service programs, often partnering with local parishes like St. Mary's in Livingston. Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School emphasizes a "house system" to foster community and leadership. While limited by smaller size, these schools often prioritize strong foundational academics, music, and faith formation over extensive elective catalogs, offering a personalized environment reflective of rural Wisconsin values.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Mary's in Livingston, and are there considerations for non-parishioners?
The enrollment process for Livingston-area private schools typically begins in January or February for the following fall. Priority is often given to current students, siblings, and active members of the supporting Catholic parishes (like St. Mary's Parish). However, non-Catholic and non-parishioner families are frequently welcome. The process usually involves submitting an application, academic records, and possibly a family interview. For Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School, which serves multiple feeder schools, the timeline is similar but may involve a shadow day for prospective students. Given the small size of these schools, spaces can be limited, so initiating contact by early winter is highly recommended.
How do the class sizes and community environment of Livingston's private schools compare to the public school options in the Iowa-Grant School District?
Private schools in Livingston, such as St. Mary's, offer significantly smaller class sizes—often 10-15 students per grade—compared to the larger classrooms in the Iowa-Grant Elementary and Middle/High Schools. This allows for highly individualized attention. The community environment is explicitly faith-based and centered around shared religious values, which differs from the secular, diverse environment of the public district. Academically, the Iowa-Grant public schools may offer more extensive elective options, advanced placement courses at the high school level, and larger sports teams. The choice often hinges on a family's priority: a small, values-driven community with a consistent peer group (private) versus a broader, resource-rich secular environment with more program variety (public).