The Best Private Schools in Stratford, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Stratford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Columbus Catholic Schools
Columbus Catholic Schools System
Columbus Catholic Schools is a highly-regarded Catholic school system serving central Wisconsin, including Stratford families. With over 75 years of educational excellence, the school offers comprehensive PreK-12 education with strong college preparatory programs. The campus features modern STEM labs, extensive athletic facilities including a fieldhouse and multiple gymnasiums, and dedicated fine arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and boasts a 100% college acceptance rate. Extracurricular offerings include championship athletic teams, robotics, music programs, and numerous clubs. The school is accredited by the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation and serves as a regional educational hub for families in Stratford and surrounding communities.
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Newman Catholic Schools
Newman Catholic School System
Newman Catholic Schools provides exceptional faith-based education to students throughout central Wisconsin, including Stratford area families. Established in 1969, the school system offers PreK-12 education with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive performing arts opportunities. Facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, modern technology classrooms, a performing arts center, and competitive athletic facilities. The school maintains a 13:1 student-teacher ratio and has a strong track record of graduates attending top colleges and universities. Newman Catholic is accredited by the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation and serves as a premier educational option for families throughout the region.
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Faith Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Faith Christian Academy is a well-established private Christian school serving Stratford and the greater Marshfield area since 1989. The school offers comprehensive PreK-12 education with a strong biblical worldview integrated throughout the curriculum. Academic programs emphasize college preparation with rigorous coursework, advanced mathematics and science offerings, and comprehensive language arts. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, computer labs, gymnasium facilities, and dedicated art and music spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and offers diverse extracurricular activities including competitive sports, music programs, drama productions, and community service opportunities. Faith Christian Academy is accredited by the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation and has built a strong reputation for academic excellence and character development over three decades of operation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Stratford, Wisconsin
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Stratford, Wisconsin?
In the Stratford area, families typically consider three main private, faith-based institutions. These are Columbus Catholic Schools (with campuses in Marshfield, about 10 miles away, serving PreK-12), Newman Catholic Schools (based in Wausau, approximately 20 miles away, serving PreK-12), and Faith Christian Academy (a PreK-12 school in Marshfield). Given Stratford's size, many local private school students commute to these nearby communities. It's important to research each school's transportation options, as some may offer bus services from surrounding areas including Stratford.
How does the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) affect tuition costs for private schools serving Stratford families?
The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program is a significant financial consideration. It allows eligible families to receive a state-funded voucher to attend participating private schools, potentially covering all or a large portion of tuition. Both Columbus Catholic and Newman Catholic Schools are typically participants in the WPCP. Eligibility is based on family income and residency. For the 2024-25 school year, income limits for a family of four are approximately $90,000. Parents in Stratford should contact their school of interest directly to confirm participation, application deadlines (usually in February), and to complete the necessary income verification through the state's Department of Public Instruction.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Stratford area offer that reflect the local community?
Reflecting the strong agricultural and community values of central Wisconsin, area private schools offer distinctive programs. Columbus Catholic Schools feature robust FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapters and agricultural science courses, aligning with the region's farming heritage. Newman Catholic Schools emphasize STEM initiatives and have strong athletic traditions, often competing against similar-sized schools in the region. Faith Christian Academy integrates a biblical worldview across all subjects and may offer programs in music and fine arts. All three schools typically provide smaller class sizes than nearby public districts, fostering close-knit learning environments familiar to Stratford's community atmosphere.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Columbus, Newman, or Faith Christian that serve Stratford students?
The enrollment process for these schools generally begins in the winter for the following fall. Key steps include: 1) **January-February**: Attend open houses or schedule shadow days (where a student visits for a day). This is also the critical period to apply for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program if seeking a voucher. 2) **March-April**: Complete the school's specific application, which often requires pastoral references for faith-based schools, academic records, and an interview or assessment. 3) **Rolling Admissions**: After the initial round, applications are often accepted on a rolling basis, but waiting lists can form for certain grades. Given that these schools draw from multiple communities, Stratford families are advised to initiate contact early, especially for entry into high-demand grades like Kindergarten or 9th grade.
How do the private school options near Stratford compare academically and socially to the Stratford Public School District?
The choice often centers on educational philosophy and environment. The Stratford Public School District is a highly-rated, consolidated district serving a large rural area, offering a wide range of AP courses, strong music programs, and successful athletic teams. The nearby private options are significantly smaller, with a deliberate faith-based integration (Catholic or Protestant) throughout the curriculum. Academically, private schools may offer a more standardized, traditional core curriculum with less variability in elective options compared to the public high school. Socially, private schools provide a consistent faith-based community from PreK through 12th grade, whereas Stratford Public offers a broader, more secular social environment. For families in Stratford, transportation is also a key differentiator, as the public district provides busing within its boundaries, while attending a private school may require personal transportation or arranging carpools to Marshfield or Wausau.
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