Private Schools in Fort Wayne

Hi Julie,

I live in NE Allen County and sent my child to a parochial kindergarten. I was abhorred at what he wasn't learning and so I started investigating other schools. My children now attend Croninger Elementary which is a magnet school for communications and writing. I have been nothing short of thrilled with the school. I believe they are now ranked #10 in the state. FWCS has several magnet schools focusing on different disciplines. I know there is one for math and science (Irwin) as well. The beauty is that the education is wonderful and you are not paying the private school price. The catch is there is a lottery to get in but once one child is in, the siblings are automatically in. There are also religious education opportunities if that is a factor for you. In my experience, private isn't always better.

My Children attend St. Joseph - St Elizabeth and I love it. The staff at both campuses are wonderful and the kids are all pretty much good kids. You will have a bad seed here and there but they are handled with and the problem usually doesn't last to long. We do not tolorate bullying and I love the fact that they can pray and attend mass during the week it was very important to me that God is taught along with their academics. My kids would go to Deer Ridge if we were in the public school system and although I have heard nothing but good things about them still feel that this is our best decision. Tution can be up there but I feel they are getting the best academically they can with our choice.

J.

Hi Julie,

My husband and I have looked at lots of options in Fort Wayne, and haven't settled on anything since our kids are 2 and 4. We currently live in FWCS district, and have NO desire to send our kids th FWCS. :) Moving doesn't seem to be in the cards, either. However, "private" schools is a broad term. Obviously, if you're catholic, you're not likely to send your kids to a protestant school, and vice versa. Also, what your priorities are for your children makes a big difference. For us, our kids are well ahead of their peers academically, so the academics is what is most important to us. Because of that, if we could choose any private school in Fort Wayne, it would be Canterbury, hands down. However, the price is ASTRONOMICAL (over $12,000/year starting in kindergarden). They do have financial aid, so we haven't ruled it out, but we aren't sure they would offer enough to make it feasable for our family. Currently, our second choice is actually a Christian school in Auburn (Lakewood Park Christian School). We know several teachers and at least one board member, and it sounds like a great school. They are about a year ahead academically from the public schools, and they give high schoolers the opportunity to take college classes for $50/credit hour. I also know several students - even high school students that really like their school. That sure says something about it! Their website says they charge $3-4000/year.

Our third choice is to see how Imagine Master Academy does. It is a charter school, so it's free, but this is its first year, so we'd like to see how it goes before making a decision. Also, it will be a lottery to determine who can attend because there are more applicants than open spots.

Obviously, living SW, traveling to Auburn would be quite a drive. But, it gives you food for thought on what to consider as priorities for your kids' education.

My suggestion is to make an appointment to tour schools you're interested in - while classes are in session, and meet teachers and administrators. Ask for references. Maybe even talk to students. Ask questions like retention rates, test scores, and discipline issues. Things like that should give you a good idea of what kind of school it is, and if it would be a good fit for you.

Good luck in your decision! It's hard, isn't it?? :)

Hi Julie, My daughter is 6 in kindergarten at Suburban Bethlehem lutheran school. it is on the corner of Flaugh and California road (west of fort wayne just south of US HWY 30) we have been going to the church for about 8 years now and the school is wonderful. Many caring teachers and their ISTEP scores are very very high. please check out their website which is www.suburbanbethlehem.org I think you will be both surprised and pleased with what you find there. you can email the principal at that site as well. good luck in your search. hope to see you there,B.