Best private high schools in Kansas
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Kansas using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#30. Christ Preparatory Academy
- Location: Lenexa, KS
- Enrollment: 188 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#29. Bishop Ward High School
- Location: Kansas City, KS
- Enrollment: 301 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#28. Heritage Christian School
- Location: Topeka, KS
- Enrollment: 164 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#27. Chanute Christian Academy
- Location: Chanute, KS
- Enrollment: 65 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#26. St John's Catholic School
- Location: Beloit, KS
- Enrollment: 174 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#25. Berean Academy
- Location: Elbing, KS
- Enrollment: 348 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#24. Sunrise Christian Academy
- Location: Bel Aire, KS
- Enrollment: 520 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#23. Midland Adventist Academy
- Location: Shawnee, KS
- Enrollment: 151 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#22. Trinity Catholic Junior/Senior High School
- Location: Hutchinson, KS
- Enrollment: 266 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#21. Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Location: Wichita, KS
- Enrollment: 1,153 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#20. Christian Learning Center
- Location: Fort Scott, KS
- Enrollment: 85 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#19. Thomas More Prep-Marian High School
- Location: Hays, KS
- Enrollment: 269 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#18. Veritas Christian School
- Location: Lawrence, KS
- Enrollment: 155 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#17. Heritage Christian Academy
- Location: Olathe, KS
- Enrollment: 592 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#16. Life Preparatory Academy
- Location: Park City, KS
- Enrollment: 415 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#15. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School
- Location: Wichita, KS
- Enrollment: 878 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#14. Hayden Catholic High School
- Location: Topeka, KS
- Enrollment: 376 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#13. Classical School of Wichita
- Location: Wichita, KS
- Enrollment: 446 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#12. Trinity Academy
- Location: Wichita, KS
- Enrollment: 572 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#11. Overland Christian Schools
- Location: Overland Park, KS
- Enrollment: 110 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#10. Tipton Catholic High School
- Location: Tipton, KS
- Enrollment: 22 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#9. Bishop Miege High School
- Location: Roeland Park, KS
- Enrollment: 650 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#8. Kansas City Christian School
- Location: Prairie Village, KS
- Enrollment: 385 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#7. Maur Hill - Mount Academy
- Location: Atchison, KS
- Enrollment: 176 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#6. St. James Academy
- Location: Lenexa, KS
- Enrollment: 901 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#5. Maranatha Academy
- Location: Shawnee, KS
- Enrollment: 390 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#4. Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
- Location: Overland Park, KS
- Enrollment: 200 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#3. The Independent School
- Location: Wichita, KS
- Enrollment: 477 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. Wichita Collegiate School
- Location: Wichita, KS
- Enrollment: 941 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Bishop Seabury Academy
- Location: Lawrence, KS
- Enrollment: 186 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.