Is there any such thing as an affordable, non-Catholic private school? (St. Louis: 2010, buying a house)

[AJohnston_STL]

We were originally intending on paying an OUTRAGEOUS $400 a month for private Christian school for my son in 3 years. Well, we soon found that about 1 in every 20 private schools in the city aren't Catholic (we are Protestant). Shoot, they don't even have to be religion-based at all, just NOT public, or charter, or magnet. We don't like the idea of buying a house in the city and then being put in a "lottery." If we are investing in the city, we want some choices and guarantees.

In case you are wondering about the OUTRAGEOUS comment by now, we've found now that this amount is on the low end. Is that about as low as you get? Do most K-8 schools grandfather you in to a private high school, or are you on your own pretty much throughout your child's entire education?


We've just about completely decided on escaping to the county because it's too much of a headache when we can just easily go out to Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Affton, Maplewood, Brentwood, etc, etc. It truly is ashame that we want so badly to stay in the city and we are being forced out because of our expensive options.

[TGS]

While most of the private schools in the city are Catholic, there are other options. Most quality schools are going to be around $400/month.

First of all, there is Tower Grove Baptist School on Magnolia. It is a K-12 school, so even if you don't choose it for elementary school you should keep it in mind for high school.
Tower Grove Christian School

Are you open to Lutheran schools? Hope Lutheran and Word of Life Lutheran are K-8 schools in the city. Most of their graduates go to Lutheran High South (in South County).
Hope Lutheran Church and School | Home
WOL Lutheran School
Lutheran High School South
I know that there are more Lutheran schools in the city, but I don't know much about them.

There is a very small K-12 Christian school on Lafayette, St. Louis Christian Academy. I don't know much about it, though.
slcacougars.html

If you can handle a small drive outside of the city, there are numerous Christian schools in South County that would work. Victory Christian school in Affton is particularly affordable. There is also a relatively new K-12 school, Green Park Christian, that might work.
https://www.greenparkchurch.com/GPCA.html
Victory Chrisian School - Home

I know you said that you don't want to consider a charter or magnet school, but there are a few really interesting charter schools that have recently opened or will open next year that you might consider. City Garden and the Language Immersion schools are pretty much running on private school models (Montessori and International Baccalaureate).
www.mocharterschools.org/Files/Newsletters/73.pdf
The Sllis Weblog

[STL Aviator]

On the magnet side, you might want to take a look at Stix ECC and Wilkinson ECC. These are magnet schools that offer preschool - 2nd grade that are probably easier to get into than Kennard. I have seen positive comments about these schools other places on the web but don't have firsthand experience. Free preschool and the ability to try out the program and go through the lottery before your kid gets to kindergarten age seems like it could be a good option.

[anr_black]

I'm afraid you won't find a private/parochial school for less than $400 a month, unless you're willing to join the church (and as others mentioned, there are Lutheran and a few Baptist schools). Try to think of it this way though: you're saving at least 1/2 that on property taxes by living in the city and not in the county, so you'd be spending the money anyway. (just trying to stay positive!

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by AJohnston_STL

Shoot, they don't even have to be religion-based at all, just NOT public, or charter, or magnet. We don't like the idea of buying a house in the city and then being put in a "lottery." If we are investing in the city, we want some choices and guarantees.

Especially if you know that the lottery has a lot of preferences that put you at the bottom of the list.

Seriously, this is why we moved out of St. Louis prior to starting a family.

[alikat1205]

i also had not heard of "grandfathering" in or anything special when it comes to high school. our 1st graders tuition is $405 per month, and our 9th graders tuition is $850 a month. it is what it is.

[KCLucymom]

Actually, there is a great christian school that is less than $400/mo. Someone mentioned above Victory Christian School. It has actually changed it's name to Victory Christian Academy. We send our kids there and LOVE it! The tuition for the 2009-2010 school year is $290/mo. It is located in south county near Grant's Farm. The kids do not have to wear uniforms. The teachers are fabulous! The curriculum for the younger grades is A Beka and Bob Jones. It is non-denominational. It is protestant, not catholic. There are 29 different churches represented there. I go to a Baptist Church. Most families are from Baptist, Bible, a few Lutheran, etc.
Anyway, visit their website to get more info. There is such a great family atmosphere there. I couldn't be more pleased!! They are at www.VCAcademy.org

[bilbobilbo]

any secular private school?