Dunlap Private Schools

Explore Dunlap Private Schools with Faith-Based Learning

Families considering Dunlap private schools often look beyond academics alone. The right school should provide an environment where children are challenged academically, supported personally, and encouraged to develop strong values that guide them inside and outside the classroom.

St. Mary’s School is located in Kickapoo, Illinois, and serves families from Dunlap and surrounding communities. Our PreK through 8th grade school combines a strong academic curriculum with Catholic faith formation, individualized attention, and opportunities for students to develop confidence, character, and responsibility.

With small class sizes, experienced educators, and a close-knit school community, students are known and supported throughout their educational journey.

What Should Families Look for in Dunlap Private Schools?

Choosing among private schools near Dunlap involves considering how each school approaches the development of the whole child. Academic programs matter, but families may also want to consider classroom environment, teacher support, school values, extracurricular opportunities, and the overall sense of community.

At St. Mary’s School, our educational approach brings these elements together. Students receive structured instruction while benefiting from opportunities to explore, collaborate, serve others, and apply what they learn in meaningful ways.

Our school experience includes:

• Small class sizes that support individualized attention
• Core academics aligned with Illinois State Learning Standards
• Catholic religious instruction and faith formation
• Fine arts, music, band, and theater opportunities
• Spanish instruction for Kindergarten through 8th grade
• Athletics for boys and girls
• Technology integration and 1:1 technology for grades 3 through 8
• An outdoor classroom for hands-on learning
• Leadership, extracurricular, and service opportunities
• The St. Mary’s exclusive CONNECTed curriculum

These experiences help students build a strong academic foundation while growing socially, spiritually, and personally.

Is a Catholic Private School Right for Your Family?

Families exploring Dunlap private schools may be interested in an educational environment where faith and character development are part of everyday learning.

St. Mary’s is a Catholic school where faith is lived as well as taught. Students participate in daily prayer, weekly Mass, religious instruction, sacramental preparation, and service opportunities. Liturgy, sacrament, and service form three important cornerstones of faith life within our school community.

Students are encouraged to practice compassion, respect, responsibility, integrity, and service. Our goal is to help children understand how faith can influence the way they learn, lead, treat others, and contribute to their communities.

Families of diverse faiths and cultures are welcome at St. Mary’s.

How Does St. Mary’s Support Academic Growth?

Strong academics begin with understanding each student as an individual learner. Smaller classes allow our teachers to provide differentiated instruction and more personalized support as students develop their skills and confidence.

A Strong Core Curriculum

Students receive instruction in core subjects including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and religion. Our academic curriculum follows Illinois State Learning Standards and is complemented by additional opportunities in technology, Spanish, fine arts, physical education, and other areas.

Kindergarten through 8th grade students also complete NWEA/MAP assessments three times each year. These assessments provide information about individual student progress and help faculty evaluate learning and curriculum effectiveness.

Learning Beyond the Traditional Classroom

Education at St. Mary’s extends beyond textbooks and traditional classroom lessons. Our outdoor classroom, field trips, service experiences, and CONNECTed curriculum give students additional ways to explore concepts and apply their knowledge.

CONNECTed is a teacher-created, real-life inspired curriculum exclusive to St. Mary’s. It incorporates Agriculture/Cooking, STEM Learning, Progressive Physical Education, and Typing/Computers/Coding.

These experiences encourage students to make connections between what they learn in class and the world around them.

What Can Younger Students Expect at St. Mary’s?

Families comparing private education options near Dunlap can begin their child’s experience at St. Mary’s with our early childhood programs.

Our Pre-K classrooms provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can develop a love of exploration and learning. Theme-based curriculum centers encourage creativity and early literacy while structured and play-based experiences help children develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.

Young students also participate in music, religion, and physical activities. Buddy relationships with older St. Mary’s students help strengthen the sense of belonging and community that carries throughout the school.

As students progress into Kindergarten and the elementary grades, they build upon these foundations through increasingly structured academics and age-appropriate opportunities for independence and responsibility.

What Makes the St. Mary’s School Experience Different?

At St. Mary’s, education is centered on helping each child learn, grow, and thrive.

Our 12:1 student-teacher ratio supports an environment where educators can get to know their students and provide individualized attention. Students can participate in art, theater, band, music, athletics, Chess Club, Student Council, and other activities that encourage teamwork, communication, creativity, and leadership.

The school’s outdoor classroom creates another setting for hands-on learning, play, reflection, and prayer. Technology resources provide additional opportunities to develop skills students can carry into future learning.

Just as importantly, parents and teachers work together to support student development. This partnership helps create the close-knit, family-oriented environment that defines the St. Mary’s community.

Serving Families Looking for Private Schools Near Dunlap, IL

St. Mary’s School has one school location in Kickapoo, Illinois, at 9910 W Knox St, Edwards, IL 61528. We proudly serve families from Dunlap, Peoria, Elmwood, Brimfield, Princeville, and nearby communities.

For Dunlap families considering private education, our location provides access to a Catholic school community where students can receive consistent educational and spiritual support from Pre-K through 8th grade.

Families are encouraged to learn more about St. Mary’s, explore our academic and faith-based programs, and discover the community their child can become part of.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dunlap Private Schools

Does St. Mary’s School serve families from Dunlap?

Yes. St. Mary’s School is located in Kickapoo, Illinois, and serves families from Dunlap as well as Peoria and other surrounding communities.

What grade levels does St. Mary’s School offer?

St. Mary’s provides education from Pre-K through 8th grade, giving students the opportunity to grow within a consistent academic, social, and faith-centered environment.

Does St. Mary’s follow Illinois learning standards?

Yes. Core classes follow Illinois State Learning Standards. Students also have access to additional learning opportunities through technology, Spanish, fine arts, physical education, and the CONNECTed curriculum.

What role does faith play in the school day?

Catholic faith is integrated into the St. Mary’s experience through daily prayer, weekly Mass, religious instruction, sacramental preparation, service, and the values students are encouraged to practice each day.

What extracurricular activities are available?

Opportunities include art, theater, athletics for boys and girls, band, music, Chess Club, Student Council, and other activities that encourage students to build skills, relationships, confidence, and leadership.

Can families of other faiths attend St. Mary’s?

Yes. While St. Mary’s provides an education rooted in the Catholic faith, families of diverse faiths and cultures are welcome.