The Best Private Schools in Washington Island, Wisconsin
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Washington Island. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. John Bosco Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
St. John Bosco Catholic School is the only private school actually located on Washington Island, serving the island community for over 70 years. This small, faith-based school provides personalized education with exceptionally low student-teacher ratios. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates Catholic values with strong academic foundations, including STEM education and traditional core subjects. Serving students from pre-K through 8th grade, the school is deeply embedded in the island community and provides a safe, nurturing environment that emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement. The school's longevity and strong community support reflect its vital role in serving Washington Island families.
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Lourdes Academy
Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
While located further from Washington Island in Oshkosh, Lourdes Academy serves as a boarding and day school option for families throughout northeastern Wisconsin, including Door County residents seeking comprehensive college preparatory education. The academy offers a robust high school program with advanced placement courses, dedicated STEM academy, competitive athletic programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. For Washington Island families seeking private high school options beyond 8th grade, Lourdes provides boarding facilities and has historically served students from the island community. The school's strong academic reputation, college acceptance rates, and comprehensive extracurricular programs make it a valued regional option for families prioritizing educational excellence.
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Stella Maris Academy
Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
Located in Sturgeon Bay approximately 30 miles from Washington Island, Stella Maris Academy serves as a regional Catholic school option for Door County families, including those from Washington Island who commute via ferry. The academy offers a rigorous academic program from pre-K through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith formation and academic excellence. The school features modern facilities, technology integration across all grade levels, and specialized programs in mathematics and language arts. Many Washington Island families choose Stella Maris for its comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and strong track record of preparing students for high school success. The school maintains transportation arrangements for island families.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Washington Island, Wisconsin
What are the private school options available directly on Washington Island, Wisconsin, and how do commuting options work for schools on the mainland?
Directly on Washington Island, the primary private option is St. John Bosco Catholic School, serving grades K-8. For high school and other private options, families typically look to the mainland in Door County. This includes schools like Stella Maris Academy (Green Bay) and Lourdes Academy (Oshkosh). Commuting from Washington Island involves a ferry crossing to the Door Peninsula, which adds significant time and planning to the daily schedule, especially considering the ferry's seasonal schedule and potential weather-related closures. Many families forming carpools or considering weekly boarding arrangements for older students.
How does the unique geographic isolation of Washington Island, Wisconsin, impact private school tuition and associated costs?
The isolation significantly impacts the overall cost of private education. While tuition at St. John Bosco Catholic School on the island may be comparable to other rural Wisconsin parochial schools, attending a mainland private school adds substantial expenses. These include annual ferry passes for the student (and often a parent driver), fuel for the daily drive from the dock, and potentially before- or after-care costs if ferry timetables don't align with the school day. Some mainland schools offer tuition assistance, but families must budget for these unique transportation logistics, which can add thousands of dollars to the annual cost of education.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Washington Island students offer that accommodate the island's lifestyle and community values?
Schools understand the unique context of their Washington Island students. St. John Bosco often integrates local ecology, maritime history, and the strong Scandinavian heritage of the island into its curriculum. Mainland schools like Lourdes Academy may offer robust agricultural science or environmental programs that resonate with island families. Furthermore, due to the commute, many of these private schools are experienced in providing flexible arrangements for project-based learning or supporting students who may need to miss school occasionally due to ferry disruptions or family commitments tied to the island's tourist- and fishery-based economy.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for Washington Island families, considering the limited spaces and logistical challenges?
Enrollment timelines are critical due to limited capacity, especially in the island's own St. John Bosco school. The process often begins very early in the calendar year (January-February) for the following fall. For mainland schools, Washington Island families are strongly advised to initiate contact even earlier, as they must factor in admissions interviews, placement testing, and logistical planning. It's essential to discuss transportation and ferry schedules during the admissions process. Many schools prioritize parish members or siblings, so connecting with the local church community on the island can be an important step.
How do the private schools available to Washington Island families typically compare to the Washington Island School District in terms of class size, curriculum, and community integration?
The Washington Island School District is a public K-12 school with very small class sizes, deeply integrated into the island community. Private options offer different trade-offs. St. John Bosco provides a faith-based education with similarly small classes but ends at 8th grade. Mainland private schools offer larger peer groups, broader extracurriculars (like competitive sports or arts), and college-prep curricula, but at the cost of daily commuting and less immediate integration with the tight-knit island community. The choice often hinges on whether a family prioritizes the convenience and deep local integration of the island public school or seeks a specific religious education or broader academic resources available off-island.
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