The Best Private Schools in Burlington, Wyoming
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Burlington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Tongue River Valley Community Center & School
Independent
Located just 15 miles from Burlington in the neighboring community of Dayton, TRVCC is a highly-regarded independent private school serving the entire Tongue River Valley region. The school offers a comprehensive K-12 education with small class sizes and individualized attention. Their curriculum emphasizes STEM education, project-based learning, and outdoor education that leverages the natural beauty of the Bighorn Mountains. The school is known for its strong community involvement, dedicated teachers, and excellent college preparation programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and extensive outdoor learning spaces.
Programs:
Sheridan County Catholic Schools
Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne
Located approximately 30 miles from Burlington in Sheridan, this well-established Catholic school system serves students from throughout northern Wyoming. The school offers a rigorous academic program grounded in Catholic values and traditions. Students benefit from comprehensive college preparatory courses, advanced placement options, and strong fine arts programs. The campus features modern facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, athletic facilities, and chapel. With a long history of academic excellence and strong parent satisfaction, this school consistently produces graduates who excel in higher education.
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The Prairie School
Independent
Serving families throughout Sheridan County and the surrounding region including Burlington, The Prairie School offers a unique Montessori-inspired education for students from preschool through middle school. The school emphasizes hands-on learning, environmental education, and arts integration across all subjects. Located on a campus with extensive outdoor learning spaces, gardens, and natural play areas, the school focuses on developing independent thinkers and lifelong learners. The school is particularly noted for its strong sense of community, individualized learning plans, and commitment to developing the whole child through both academic and character education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Burlington, Wyoming
What are the actual private school options available for families living in Burlington, Wyoming?
Burlington itself is a very small community and does not have a standalone private school within town limits. Therefore, families typically look at private institutions in the broader region, primarily in Sheridan, about 30 miles away. The top-regarded options include Sheridan County Catholic Schools (St. Mary's Campus for K-6 and Holy Name School for PreK-6) and The Prairie School, a private, non-sectarian school. It's important to note that Tongue River Valley Community Center & School, while sometimes listed, is a public school district serving the Dayton/Tongue River area. For Burlington residents, private education involves planning for daily transportation to Sheridan.
How does tuition for private schools near Burlington, WY, compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for private schools in the Sheridan area is generally below the national average for private education but is a significant consideration for Wyoming families. For the 2024-2025 school year, Sheridan County Catholic Schools have tuition ranging from approximately $4,500 to $5,500 per year, with active parishioner discounts. The Prairie School's tuition is higher, typically between $10,000 and $15,000. Both schools offer need-based financial aid, and Wyoming has limited state-level scholarship programs compared to other states, so most aid is directly from the institutions. Families should budget for tuition plus the cost and time of commuting from Burlington.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Burlington students offer?
Private schools in Sheridan provide programs that leverage the regional context. Sheridan County Catholic Schools integrate faith-based education with strong core academics and may offer specialized programs in partnership with the local community. The Prairie School is known for its experiential, place-based learning model, often incorporating Wyoming's natural environment, agriculture, and outdoor education into its curriculum—a distinctive feature for families valuing hands-on, rural experiential learning. Both schools typically have smaller class sizes than regional public schools, allowing for more individualized attention, but may have fewer specialized sports teams compared to larger public high schools.
What is the enrollment process and timeline for private schools that Burlington residents can apply to?
The process typically begins in the winter prior to the desired fall enrollment. For Sheridan County Catholic Schools, applications often open in January, with priority deadlines in February or March. The Prairie School usually has a rolling admissions process but recommends applying by early spring for the best chance of placement. Steps include submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview or student visit day. Given the limited seats and Burlington's commuting distance, it is crucial to initiate contact with the admissions offices (often via phone or email) well in advance, as some grades may have waiting lists.
For a family in Burlington, what are the key factors when deciding between the local public school and a private school in Sheridan?
The decision hinges on several Burlington-specific factors. The local public school, Burlington Elementary, is part of the Big Horn County School District #3 and offers the convenience of a community-based, no-tuition education with no commute. Choosing a private school in Sheridan involves a daily 60-mile round-trip commute, which impacts family logistics and costs. Parents must weigh the desire for a specific religious or pedagogical approach (Catholic or experiential education) against the value of local community integration and the time commitment of transportation. For older students, the academic and extracurricular offerings at Sheridan's larger public high school may also be a point of comparison with the private options.