Private Charter & Private Schools in Kansas | Jason DeLong – Heartland Homes KC

Private & Charter Schools in Kansas: Options Beyond Public Education

Exploring Alternatives in the Best School Districts in Kansas

Thinking about schools in Overland Park, Lawrence, or surrounding Kansas suburbs—but want to explore private vs public schools in Kansas? You're not alone. In 2025, over 8% of K–12 students statewide attend private schools, with many families choosing faith-based or specialized institutions in top-rated districts like Blue Valley USD 229 and Olathe USD 233.

As an AI‑Certified Realtor in the Kansas City area, I help families assess both public school rankings in Kansas and top private or charter options that match their values and goals.

➡️ Internal Link: About Jason DeLong

2. What Are Private & Charter Options Beyond Public Education?

While public school districts often dominate conversation, private and charter schools in Kansas offer compelling alternatives, especially for families seeking specialized curricula, smaller classes, or faith-based education.

📚 Private Schools in Kansas

There are around 230 private schools statewide, mostly religiously affiliated, with average tuition ranging from $10K–$13K/year for high school level.

Top-rated institutions include:

• Heritage Christian Academy, Bishop Miege High School, Bishop Seabury Academy (Roeland Park, Lawrence).

• In Overland Park, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and Saint Thomas Aquinas High School are highly rated private options.

80% of private schools are faith‑based, though many also offer rigorous academics, strong college placement, and attentive class sizes (~12–13:1 student‑teacher ratio).

📖 Charter Schools in Kansas

The state has just nine charter schools, serving only about 0.5% of K‑12 students, but they offer unique curricula and innovation within top districts.

Examples include:

• Lawrence Virtual School, Service Valley Charter Academy, and Smoky Valley Virtual Charter—ranked among the best elementary-level charter schools in Kansas.

• In Kansas City, KCPS‑sponsored charter schools include Allen Village School, Crossroads Charter Schools, Gordon Parks Elementary, and Citizens of the World with project‑based learning and inclusive classrooms.

Charter schools are tuition‑free public schools open to district residents and operate via lottery if seats are limited.

3. Pro Tips: Choosing Private vs Charter vs Public

✅ Match to Your Goals – Want faith‑based education or Montessori? Private schools typically offer these. Charter schools offer innovation and flexibility; public schools excel in resources and scale.

✅ Affordability & Financial Aid – Kansas offers scholarships and tax‑credit programs in some areas; check local aid options too.

✅ Evaluate School Fit – Class size, culture, college prep visit schools to get a feel beyond stats and ratings.

✅ Check District Alignment – Private schools sometimes draw from across districts; charter schools require residing within sponsoring districts.

✅ Consider Long-Term Value – Many public school districts ranked as best school districts in Kansas offer programming that rivals private options in academics and extracurriculars.

4. Moving Forward

Exploring private vs public schools in Kansas? It’s less about better or worse—

and more about what fits your child and family. From top districts to private or charter choices, I help clients in Kansas City, Overland Park, and Lee’s Summit evaluate every path.

As an AI‑Certified Realtor, I combine data insights with local school rankings to guide you toward the right community and educational environment.

💬 Interested in top private schools in Kansas or key public school ratings? Let’s talk.

📲 Book a call or use my Neighborhood School Match tool today.

5. FAQs

Q: What is the #1 school district in Kansas?

A: Blue Valley USD 229 is often ranked the top public district statewide, renowned for strong academics and college prep.

Q: What is the best school district in Kansas City?

A: In Kansas City’s metro on the Kansas side, Blue Valley and Olathe USD 233 frequently lead local rankings.

Q: What is the highest ranked high school in Kansas?

A: Several public and private high schools compete—publicly, Piper High School is often cited for top performance on state assessments; privately, schools like Bishop Miege and Saint Thomas Aquinas earn high marks.

Q: What is Kansas ranked in public education?

A: Kansas typically ranks in the top 20 nationally for public education, with strong graduation rates and emphasis on early childhood programs.