Free Private Schools

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In a perfect world, education of all kinds would be free and students would be able to attend academic institutions that fully meet their needs and help them to not only succeed but also exceed all expectations and achieve their very best. What many families don't realize is that this doesn't have to be a dream; students whose needs are not met in public schools or even at the private schools they are already attending might be able to find another academic institution that is right for them and doesn't carry a hefty price tag. 

That's right, many private schools offer programs for little to no tuition fees, meaning, a full four-year private school education can actually be affordable. Between financial aid offerings, scholarship programs, and schools that offer outright free tuition for families whose household incomes are less than a certain amount, your child might be able to attend one of the best private schools in the country, for free.

Check out this list of schools we have put together, most of which charge little to no tuition for students who are accepted and enroll. It's important to note that while most of the schools listed below charge no tuition, a few of the academic institutions do expect parents to pay a very modest portion of the cost according to their financial means. That cost may vary from family to family, and those schools that have small expectations for families to contribute, often offer payment plans and even loan options. Be sure to inquire at the admission and financial aid office for full details on what is expected of your family. 

Cristo del Rey Schools - Nationwide Network of 32 Schools

Cristo Rey Network

Religious affiliation: Catholic
Grades: Grades 9 to 12

An initiative of the renowned Roman Catholic Jesuit order, the Cristo del Rey is changing the way we educate at-risk children. The statistics speak for themselves: 32 schools exist today, with six more schools planned for opening in 2018 or later. Reports state that 99% of Cristo del Rey graduates are accepted to college. The average family income is $35,581. On average, about 40% of the students who attend are not Catholic, and 55% of the students are Hispanic/Latino; 34% are African American. The cost to students? From virtually nothing to nothing.

De Marillac Academy, San Francisco, CA

Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic

Comments: Founded by the Daughters of Charity and De La Salle Christian Brothers in 2001, De Marillac Middle School serves the impoverished Tenderloin district of San Francisco. The school is one of 60 schools nationwide known as San Miguel or Nativity schools.

Epiphany School, Dorchester, MA

Religious affiliation: Episcopal

Comments: Epiphany is a ministry of the Episcopal church. It offers an independent, tuition-free, middle school for children of low-income families from Boston neighborhoods.

The Gilbert School, Winsted, CT

Religious affiliation: Non-sectarian
Grades: 7-12
School Type: Coeducational, day school
Comments: If you live in Winchester or Hartland, Connecticut, you can attend your own private secondary school free of charge. The Gilbert School was founded in 1895 by William L. Gilbert, a local businessman, for residents of these two northwest Connecticut towns.

Girard College, Philadelphia, PA

Religious affiliation: Non-sectarian

Comments: Stephen Girard was the richest man in America when he created the school which bears his name. Girard College is a coeducational, boarding school for children in 1st grade through 12th grade.

Glenwood Academy, Glenwood, IL

Religious affiliation: Non-sectarian

Comments: Established in 1887, Glenwood School has a long history of educating children from single-parent homes and those families with very limited financial means.

The Hadley School for the Blind, Winnetka, IL

Religious affiliation: Non-sectarian

Comments: Hadley offers distance learning for visually impaired students of all ages. Tuition-free.

Milton Hershey School, Hershey, PA

Religious affiliation: Non-sectarian

Comments: The Hershey School was founded by the chocolatier Milton Hershey. It provides a tuition-free, residential education for young people from low-income families. Full health and dental care is also included.

Regis High School, New York, NY

Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic

Comments: Regis was founded in 1914 by the Society of Jesus as a tuition-free school for Catholic boys by an anonymous donor. The school is a selective day school.

South Dakota School for the Deaf, Sioux Falls

Religious affiliation: Nonsectarian

Comments: If you live in South Dakota and have a hearing-impaired child, you ought to consider this wonderful option.

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Kennedy, Robert. "Free Private Schools." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/free-private-schools-2774743. Kennedy, Robert. (2021, February 16). Free Private Schools. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/free-private-schools-2774743 Kennedy, Robert. "Free Private Schools." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/free-private-schools-2774743 (accessed March 28, 2024).