The Best Private Schools in Buford, Wyoming
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Buford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Liberty Common School
Liberty Common School
Liberty Common School is a highly acclaimed charter school located in Fort Collins, Colorado, approximately 1 hour from Buford. Serving students K-12, it consistently ranks among the top schools in the region with exceptional academic results. The school follows a classical education model with strong emphasis on core knowledge, critical thinking, and character development. Advanced Placement courses are available in high school, and students consistently achieve above-average test scores. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. While in Colorado, the school attracts students from southern Wyoming due to its outstanding reputation and college preparatory focus.
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St. Mary's Catholic School
Diocese of Cheyenne
St. Mary's Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving students from pre-K through 8th grade. Located approximately 45 minutes from Buford in Cheyenne, it offers a comprehensive education with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. The school features modern facilities, small class sizes, and a rigorous curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, science labs, and comprehensive language arts. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports, music, drama, and various clubs. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty, safe environment, and strong community atmosphere.
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Cheyenne Catholic Schools - St. Joseph's Children's School
Cheyenne Catholic Schools
St. Joseph's Children's School serves students from preschool through 5th grade and is part of the Cheyenne Catholic Schools system. Located in Cheyenne about 45 minutes from Buford, the school provides a nurturing, faith-based environment with strong academic foundations. The curriculum emphasizes literacy, mathematics, science, and religious education while incorporating hands-on learning experiences. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated play areas, and specialized learning spaces. Parent reviews highlight the caring teachers, strong communication, and excellent preparation for middle school. The school serves families throughout Laramie County and surrounding areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Buford, Wyoming
What are the realistic private school options for families living in Buford, Wyoming, given its small size and rural location?
Due to Buford's extremely small population (officially just 1 resident as of recent counts), there are no private schools physically located within Buford itself. Families in the Buford area typically look to nearby communities for private education. The closest and most commonly considered options include St. Mary's Catholic School in Cheyenne (about 90 minutes away), Cheyenne Catholic Schools - St. Joseph's Children's School in Cheyenne, and Liberty Common School, a public charter school in Cheyenne with a classical curriculum that some families consider as an alternative to traditional public schools. For day school, this necessitates a significant commute, making boarding schools in Wyoming or neighboring states another potential option for some families.
Are there any Wyoming state programs or tax benefits to help offset the cost of private school tuition for Buford residents?
Yes, Wyoming has specific programs that can assist families. The most relevant is the Wyoming Hathaway Scholarship, which is primarily for college, but saving for K-12 private education through a Wyoming-sponsored 529 plan can offer state tax benefits. Importantly, Wyoming does not currently have a private school voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, which are available in some other states. However, some private schools, like those in the Cheyenne Catholic Schools system, offer parish subsidies and need-based financial aid for qualifying families. Buford residents should inquire directly with the school's financial office about aid and any potential discounts for rural families facing long commutes.
How does the academic focus of private schools near Buford, like Liberty Common School, differ from the local public school options in Laramie County?
The private and charter options near Buford offer distinct educational philosophies. For example, Liberty Common School in Cheyenne utilizes a classical, Core Knowledge curriculum with a strong emphasis on Western tradition, civics, and character education, which differs significantly from the standard public school curriculum. St. Mary's and St. Joseph's provide a faith-based education integrating Catholic values across all subjects. In contrast, public schools in Laramie County School District #1 (which Buford is part of) follow state standards without a specific religious or classical lens. For Buford families, this choice often comes down to prioritizing a specific pedagogical approach or religious foundation, despite the substantial commute to Cheyenne.
What are the key enrollment timelines and considerations for a Buford family applying to a private school in Cheyenne, given the distance?
Enrollment timelines for schools like St. Mary's or St. Joseph's typically begin in January-February for the following fall, with priority often given to parish members and siblings. The critical consideration for Buford families is the logistical planning required for the 100+ mile round-trip daily commute. It's essential to apply early, attend open houses (which may require a full day's commitment due to travel), and discuss transportation logistics with the school's administration. Some families form carpools with others from outlying areas. Exploring the possibility of late-start or early-dismissal accommodations to avoid peak traffic in Cheyenne is also a prudent step during the enrollment process.
What unique challenges and benefits do private schools near Buford, WY, offer for a child coming from a very rural community?
The primary benefit is access to a specialized, often close-knit educational community with small class sizes and a defined value system, which can mirror the tight-knit feel of rural living. Schools like St. Mary's offer a consistent community from K-8. The significant challenge is the isolation from the school community due to the commute; participating in after-school activities, sports, or parent-teacher meetings becomes a major logistical hurdle. Conversely, the benefit is exposure to a broader social and academic environment in Cheyenne. Parents must weigh the value of the specific educational offering against the reality of their child spending 2-3 hours daily in transit, which impacts family time and extracurricular participation.
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