Private Schools in Missouri: Light State Oversight, So Your Own Checks Matter

Missouri has a wide range of private schools, from Catholic parish elementaries in St. Louis to small Amish schools in rural Daviess County. Our directory lists 577 of them. Most answer to a church, a diocese, a nonprofit board, or a private owner rather than to a state agency. That gives families real choice. It also means that most of the quality checks are left to you.

This page explains how the system works. It covers what the state does and does not regulate, how the St. Louis and Kansas City metros differ from the rest of Missouri, and how to turn our listings into a short list of schools worth visiting.

What Missouri Law Requires of Private Schools

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, known as DESE, accredits public school districts and administers state and federal education programs. It does not license private K-12 schools or approve their curriculum. Under Section 167.031 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, children generally must attend school from age seven until age seventeen. A private, parochial, or parish school counts toward that duty. Enrolling a child in one of the schools in our directory therefore satisfies the attendance requirement.

In practice, most decisions are left to the school. Private school teachers do not need a Missouri teaching certificate. Each school sets its own admission rules, tuition, calendar, and discipline policy. Immunization rules still apply. Missouri law requires immunization records for children entering private schools, with exemptions available for medical or religious reasons through the proper paperwork.

Many schools seek voluntary accreditation to show that they meet outside standards. Common accreditors include Cognia and, for independent schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States. Christian schools often join the Association of Christian Schools International. Catholic schools also answer to their diocese: the Archdiocese of St. Louis, or the dioceses of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Jefferson City, and Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

Because oversight varies so much, ask every school the same short list of questions:

How Missouri Private Schools Differ Between Metro and Rural Areas

St. Louis and St. Charles: The Densest Concentration

St. Louis County alone has 198 listings, more than a third of the statewide total in our database. The region has deep Catholic and Lutheran roots, and the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod keeps its international headquarters in Kirkwood. The listings reflect that history: Abiding Savior Lutheran School on Butler Hill Road, Salem Lutheran School in Florissant, and St. Gerard Majella School in Kirkwood. Montessori programs are common too, including Chesterfield Montessori School on Ladue Road and Hope Montessori Academy - Des Peres in Ballwin. Messenger Christian School in Fenton and St Monica Elementary School in Creve Coeur round out the range of options.

Across the Missouri River, Saint Charles County has 30 listings. They include St. Cletus School in St. Charles, Immaculate Conception School in O'Fallon, and Lutheran High School of St. Charles County in St. Peters. Franklin County to the west adds options such as Washington Montessori School. Commutes in this region can be long, so check the drive at school drop-off time before you commit.

Kansas City and Eastern Jackson County

Jackson County has 58 listings, and Clay County has 10. In our records, Kansas City entries appear to be filed under the shortened name 'Kansas,' so try that spelling if a search comes up short. Examples include Faith Academy on North Corrington Avenue, Creative World Elementary School in Blue Springs, Nova Center School in Independence, and Lavonna Peterson Early in Lee's Summit. The metro area also crosses the Kansas state line. Schools on the Kansas side follow Kansas rules, so confirm which state a school is in before you compare tuition or accreditation.

Mid-Missouri, the Ozarks, and Amish Communities

Outside the two big metros, schools are fewer and often tied to one congregation or community. In Jefferson City, which appears as 'Jefferson' in our records, Calvary Lutheran High School on Route B serves the Cole County area. Columbia has College Park Christian Academy, and Springfield has Christian Schools of Springfield on North Grant Avenue. Joplin has College Heights Christian School, Cape Girardeau has Trinity Lutheran School, and St. Joseph has Children First School.

Jamesport has eight listings, which reflects its large Amish community, and Pleasant Hill School is one of them. Pleasant Valley Amish School near Seymour in Webster County is another rural entry. Amish schools are typically small and run by the local community. Our listing for Pleasant Valley has no phone number, so plan to make contact in person or through someone local. Prairie Union School in Latham, in Moniteau County, is a further example of a small rural school.

Steps for Finding and Checking a Private School in Missouri

Start with location and grade range. Many Missouri private schools are small and cover only the elementary or only the high school years. Then call the school using the phone number in its listing. Ask when applications open. Popular schools in St. Louis and Kansas City often fill grades well before fall, so begin your search months ahead.

Ask for a written tuition schedule, any fees on top of tuition, and the refund policy. Ask about financial aid as well. The Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, run through approved educational assistance organizations such as MoScholars under the State Treasurer's oversight, has helped some families with eligible expenses. Rules and funding change, so confirm current terms with the Treasurer's office before you count on it.

Some listings, such as Children First School in St. Joseph and Lavonna Peterson Early in Lee's Summit, appear to serve younger children. Early-learning programs may fall under child care licensing rather than school rules, and some religiously affiliated programs are exempt under state law. Ask whether a program is licensed and request its most recent inspection information.

Children with disabilities keep certain rights even in private schools. Under federal law, the public school district where the private school sits must identify students who may need special education, and it can offer limited services to students enrolled there by their parents. Call that district's special education office and ask what is available.

Athletics are another difference. Many Missouri private schools compete under the Missouri State High School Activities Association, but not all do, and smaller schools may play church-league or independent schedules. Ask which league a school joins if sports matter to your family.

Finally, visit in person. Watch a class, look at the building, and talk with current parents. A school that welcomes questions about its accreditation, staffing, and finances is usually a good sign.

Private schools in Missouri are licensed and regulated by the state's department of education, which sets minimum standards for safety, curriculum, and accreditation while allowing institutions significant freedom in operations and admissions. Missouri may also offer education savings account or voucher programs that provide public funding assistance to eligible families attending private schools.

Private Schools locations are available in 200 cities across Missouri. They are spread across 90 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration of private schools include St. Louis, Kansas, Springfield, reflecting larger population centers where demand for diverse educational options tends to support a wider range of private school institutions.

Families in Missouri exploring private school options should contact each school's admissions office to request a prospectus, schedule a tour, and learn about financial aid availability, as tuition and assistance programs vary significantly from one institution to the next.

Private Schools by Counties

A
B
C
D
F
G
H
J
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
V
W

Families in Missouri comparing private school options should check each school's accreditation status through the state department of education and request standardized test score data, graduation rates, and college placement outcomes. Many private schools in Missouri hold open house events in the fall that are open to prospective families without an appointment.

Browse Private Schools by county across Missouri to find the nearest location.

Weighing Private Schools Against Other Missouri Options

Private schools are one of several choices Missouri families have. Public school districts remain the default, and the state's charter schools operate mainly in St. Louis and Kansas City. Homeschooling is also legal. Under Section 167.031, parents who homeschool keep records such as a plan book or portfolio and log 1,000 hours of instruction a year, with 600 of them in core subjects. Missouri does not require parents to register or seek approval, though current DESE guidance is worth a look.

Private schools sit between those options. They offer structure, an established curriculum, and often a faith community, without depending on a district boundary. Most families choose by location, so the county pages help narrow the list. Cole County has 17 listings around Jefferson City, and Greene County has 14, centered on Springfield.

Start with the county where you live or work, then check neighboring counties. In the St. Louis region, a school just across a county line may be closer to your commute than one in your own county. Most listings include a phone number, and calling before you visit is the quickest way to confirm grades, hours, and openings. School calendars differ, so ask for the start date and holiday schedule early.

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Schools in Missouri

Not in the way it oversees public districts. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education accredits public school districts and does not license private K-12 schools or approve their curricula. Private schools still have to meet local building, fire, and health codes, which are enforced by city or county officials and the local fire district. Accreditation through a group such as Cognia, the Association of Christian Schools International, or a diocese is voluntary but worth asking about. If you have a safety concern, start with the school's governing board or diocese, then contact the local fire district or health department.

No. Missouri's certification requirements apply to public school teachers, and private schools set their own hiring standards. Many schools still prefer certified or degreed teachers, and church systems may have their own credential expectations. When you tour, ask how many teachers hold a bachelor's degree, whether they teach in their subject area, and how long the typical teacher has stayed. For high school courses such as chemistry or calculus, ask who teaches them and whether the credits transfer to public schools. Transfer questions matter if you might later move to a district in St. Louis County or Jackson County.

Missouri has a strong Lutheran school tradition tied to the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, whose international headquarters is in Kirkwood. Our listings include Abiding Savior Lutheran School on Butler Hill Road in St. Louis, Salem Lutheran School in Florissant, Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson City, Trinity Lutheran School in Cape Girardeau, and Lutheran High School of St. Charles County in St. Peters. Many Lutheran schools are attached to a congregation, so tuition may differ for members and non-members. Call the school office and ask whether non-members are accepted and how congregational support affects fees.

Requirements vary by school, but most ask for a birth certificate, immunization records, and records from the previous school. Missouri law requires immunization documentation for children entering private schools, with exemptions for medical reasons or religious beliefs that need the proper form. Some programs also ask for a health form. Older students may need a transcript and a teacher recommendation, and some schools hold an entrance assessment or family interview. Ask the admissions office for a checklist on your first call so you can gather documents before the application deadline.

The Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, often called MoScholars, has been the main state-linked option. It works through approved educational assistance organizations funded by donations, and the State Treasurer's office oversees it. Eligibility has depended on factors such as household income and student circumstances, and funding rules have changed over time, so check the Treasurer's website for current terms. Many schools also offer their own financial aid, parish subsidies, sibling discounts, or payment plans. Ask the school's business office what is available, since aid deadlines often come earlier than enrollment deadlines.

Yes, a few. Jamesport in Daviess County has eight listings, tied to its large Amish community. The database also includes Pleasant Valley Amish School near Seymour in Webster County and small rural schools such as Prairie Union School in Latham. These schools are usually small and community run, and they may not keep office hours or a website. Some entries, like Pleasant Valley, have no phone number. Plan to visit the area, respect local customs, and ask permission before approaching a school. A county office or local library can often point you toward the right contact.