The Best Private Schools in Rochester, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rochester. 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
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
St. Mary's Catholic School serves students from Rochester and surrounding communities with a comprehensive faith-based education program. The school offers small class sizes, individualized attention, and a strong academic foundation integrated with Catholic values. Their curriculum includes advanced STEM programs, comprehensive arts education, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction ratings and provides a nurturing environment focused on character development alongside academic excellence.
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St. Lucy Catholic School
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Serving families from Rochester and the greater Racine area, St. Lucy Catholic School offers a comprehensive educational experience with strong emphasis on technology integration and community service. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated STEM labs, and extensive fine arts programs. With small student-teacher ratios and individualized learning approaches, St. Lucy provides excellent academic preparation while fostering spiritual growth and social responsibility. The school receives high marks from parents for its committed faculty and well-rounded educational approach.
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St. John the Baptist Catholic School
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Located just minutes from Rochester, St. John the Baptist Catholic School provides a rigorous academic program within a faith-based community. The school emphasizes strong foundational skills in mathematics and language arts while offering comprehensive arts and athletic programs. With dedicated teachers and modern facilities, the school has built a reputation for academic excellence and community involvement. Parents consistently praise the school's supportive environment and strong communication between faculty and families.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rochester, Wisconsin
What are the private school options for K-8 education in Rochester, Wisconsin, and are there any high school options locally?
Rochester, WI, is served primarily by Catholic elementary and middle schools, including St. Mary's Catholic School, St. John the Baptist Catholic School, and St. Lucy Catholic School. These schools typically cover grades K-8. For high school, there are no private high schools within Rochester itself. Families generally look at Catholic high schools in nearby communities such as Burlington, Lake Geneva, or Kenosha, or consider the local public Union Grove High School. This makes understanding the K-8 to high school transition a key planning point for Rochester parents.
How does tuition at Rochester's Catholic schools compare to the Wisconsin state average, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition at Rochester's Catholic schools like St. Mary's or St. John the Baptist is typically below the Wisconsin state average for private elementary schools, often ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 per year for parishioners. Non-parishioner rates are higher. Wisconsin offers specific financial aid options that Rochester families can utilize, most notably the Parental Choice Program (voucher program). Eligibility is based on income and residency, and these programs can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, individual parishes often offer tuition assistance for active members.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Rochester, WI, offer that leverage the local community?
Rochester's private schools often integrate the area's strong agricultural and small-town community values into their programs. You might find garden-based science projects, partnerships with local farms for educational outings, and a emphasis on community service within Rochester and the surrounding Racine County towns. While core curricula are standardized through the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, schools may differentiate with specialized art, music, or faith-based character education programs that reflect the community's ethos. Their small size allows for personalized attention but may limit the breadth of extracurriculars compared to larger suburban schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Rochester, Wisconsin, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Rochester's Catholic schools usually begins in January or February for the following academic year, with priority often given to registered parishioners and siblings of current students. Open houses are typically held in the winter. Due to the small size of these schools (often just one class per grade), spaces can be limited, and waitlists are common, especially for non-parishioners. It's highly recommended to contact the school office directly in the fall prior to your desired enrollment year. Some schools may also require a pastoral reference for Catholic families.
For a family moving to Rochester, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Rochester School) and the private Catholic schools?
The key considerations are educational philosophy, class size, cost, and high school planning. The Rochester School (public K-8) offers a secular education with no tuition and likely broader resources due to public funding. The private Catholic schools offer a faith-based education integrated throughout the curriculum, typically with much smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students). This can mean more individual attention but fewer elective options. For high school, both pathways lead to Union Grove High School unless you choose a private high school commute. Ultimately, the decision hinges on the value you place on religious instruction and small community versus a tuition-free, secular option.
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