The Best Private Schools in Shawano, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Shawano. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. James Lutheran School
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
St. James Lutheran School is a highly-regarded Christian private school serving the Shawano community with a comprehensive K-8 education program. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring small class sizes and personalized attention. Their curriculum includes strong foundations in core subjects complemented by music, art, and physical education programs. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction ratings and has served Shawano families for decades with consistent educational quality and community involvement.
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Notre Dame Academy
Diocese of Green Bay
Notre Dame Academy is a premier Catholic college-preparatory school serving Northeast Wisconsin, including Shawano area families. Located in Green Bay, this highly-rated institution offers comprehensive academic programs with advanced placement courses, robust STEM initiatives, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. With strong college acceptance rates and a track record of academic excellence, Notre Dame Academy attracts students from throughout the region seeking rigorous preparatory education.
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Xavier High School
Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
Xavier High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college-preparatory school serving families throughout Northeast Wisconsin, including Shawano residents. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses and comprehensive college counseling services. Xavier features exceptional facilities including modern classrooms, science laboratories, fine arts studios, and extensive athletic amenities. The school maintains strong academic performance records and offers diverse extracurricular programs in athletics, arts, and community service, making it a popular choice for regional families seeking quality private education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Shawano, Wisconsin
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Shawano, Wisconsin, and how do they differ?
Shawano, WI, offers a few key private school options, primarily with a religious affiliation. For elementary and middle school, **St. James Lutheran School** (PreK-8) provides a Lutheran Christian education. For high school, families often look to neighboring communities. **Notre Dame Academy** in Green Bay (PreK-12) is a popular Catholic college-preparatory choice, and **Xavier High School**, also in Green Bay, is a highly-regarded Catholic high school. The main differences lie in religious denomination (Lutheran vs. Catholic), grade spans offered, and the need to commute to Green Bay for high school. There are no non-sectarian private schools directly within Shawano city limits.
How does tuition for private schools in and around Shawano, Wisconsin, compare, and are there state-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies significantly. Local **St. James Lutheran School** typically has lower tuition, often ranging from $3,000-$5,000 annually, with member discounts. Schools in Green Bay like **Notre Dame Academy** and **Xavier High School** have higher tuition, often between $8,000-$11,000+ per year for high school. Critically, Wisconsin offers the **Parental Choice Program (School Choice)**, which provides state-funded vouchers for eligible families to attend participating private schools. Both Notre Dame and Xavier participate in this program, which can cover all or a significant portion of tuition based on income. St. James may also participate or offer its own financial aid. Checking a school's specific Choice Program status is essential for financial planning.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Shawano students offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in this region emphasize college prep and faith-based education. **Xavier High School** is renowned for its strong STEM programs, extensive AP course offerings, and championship athletic teams. **Notre Dame Academy** offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, a rarity in the area, alongside robust arts and athletics. **St. James Lutheran School** integrates faith into all subjects and offers a close-knit, small-class environment that Shawano public schools may not replicate. For Shawano families, these schools provide specialized college-prep tracks (IB/AP), distinct religious education, and often more competitive athletic conferences (like the Fox River Classic Conference for Xavier and Notre Dame).
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Xavier or Notre Dame that Shawano families consider?
For Shawano families looking at Green Bay schools, planning early is key. **Xavier High School** and **Notre Dame Academy** typically begin their enrollment processes in the fall (October-November) for the following academic year. The process involves an open house, application submission, placement testing (often in January), and a family interview. Deadlines for financial aid and the Wisconsin Choice Program application are usually in early spring (February-April). Unlike public school zoning, admission is selective. For **St. James Lutheran School** in Shawano, the process is often more flexible and rolling, but contacting the school by early spring is still advisable to secure a spot.
For a family in Shawano, what are the practical considerations of choosing a local private elementary school versus commuting to a Green Bay private school?
The decision hinges on commute, cost, and educational stage. Choosing **St. James Lutheran School** in Shawano means no lengthy commute (a major advantage with young children), lower tuition, and a community-centric environment. However, for high school, Shawano has no local private option, so a commute to Green Bay (~30-45 minutes) is necessary for schools like **Xavier** or **Notre Dame**. This involves significant time, transportation logistics, and higher costs, but provides access to extensive AP/IB programs, sports, and facilities. Many Shawano families start locally at St. James and transition to a Green Bay private high school for college preparatory advantages, factoring in the Wisconsin Choice Program to help manage tuition costs for the commute schools.
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