If you are looking for private schools in Kansas City, we’re here to help. Check out this comprehensive guide, divided by geographic area of the metro, to find the best fit for your family.
Looking for education options for younger kids? Check out our Guide to Preschools in Kansas City.
St. Paul's Episcopal Day School
St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School is more than a school. It’s a welcoming community with compassionate teachers where kids ages 2 – 8th grade are setup to thrive. Here is what sets us apart:
Individualized Attention
At a school with fewer than 500 students, teachers truly know each child and can adapt to meet unique needs. Learning specialists and school counselors for each division provide additional support to ensure each student has the tools they need to succeed.
Daily Chapel
Students start each day with songs, fellowship, and prayer. Lessons are focused on spiritual exploration and building key life skills. Families from all faiths are celebrated and welcomed!
Leadership Development
The St. Paul’s Buddy Program pairs younger students up to 2nd grade big students in 3rd – 8th grade. Littles and Bigs meet up for activities and traditions throughout the year.
Generous Financial Aid
St. Paul’s gives $500,000+ in tuition assistance to more than 20% of students each year. No family should hesitate to apply for admission because of their inability to pay the entire cost.
Learn more about what makes this community so special at speds.org/whystpauls
Whitefield Academy
For over 30 years, Whitefield Academy has supported parents by providing Kinder Prep – 12th grade students with a top-tier academic foundation in a joyful community of classical learning. While our distinct approach to education consistently produces accolades such as Kansas City’s top ACT scores and high rates of college matriculation, our focus is on cultivating virtuous men and women who learn deeply and live faithfully. Discover our low-screen, proven method of education through the cultivation of:
- Biblical Wisdom and Virtue
- Meaningful Community
- Ordered Affections
- Restful Rigor
- Participatory Learning
- Foundational Skills
Heritage Christian Academy
Heritage Christian Academy provides high-quality, Christ-centered education for students from Preschool through 12th grade, partnering with Christian families to nurture hearts and minds for lifelong learning and faithful living. Rooted in a mission to glorify God and develop a biblical worldview, HCA offers strong academics, daily discipleship, and meaningful opportunities in STEM, fine arts, athletics, and service. Our school community is both connected and diverse, drawing families from more than 20 zip codes and over 50 churches, creating a welcoming environment united by shared faith and purpose. From joyful early learning to thoughtful preparation for college and beyond, students are known, challenged, and supported as they grow in character, confidence, and conviction—equipped to think deeply, love well, and live boldly for Christ.
The Barstow School
The Barstow School is consistently ranked among the top independent schools in Kansas City, recognized for our innovative and inclusive learning community where kids truly belong. Since 1884, Barstow has offered a rigorous, hands-on, college-prep education that gives symmetrical development to mind, body and character. Our students are frequently named National Merit and AP Scholars, and they are accepted at distinguished colleges around the world. Starting in early childhood, we blend academic excellence with competitive MSHSAA athletics and the arts to give students a well-rounded experience.
From preschool through graduation, students gain the confidence to try new challenges under the guidance of dedicated teachers and coaches. Students also love Barstow’s engaging curriculum, exclusive signature programs and IDEA Space, our state-of-the-art STEAM learning center. Parents love being part of a school family where their children are known, supported and excited to learn.
Northland Catholic Schools
With six grade schools and one High School, Northland Catholic Schools focus on the total personal development of each child. With small class sizes and a curriculum consistent with current trends, we offer the highest quality faith-based education while stressing the importance of moral and social responsibility. In our schools, you will also find an environment where students are met at their individual learning levels. Whether students need to be challenged or need a little extra help, our schools work to ensure students have the resources they need to achieve their highest potentials.
What sets us apart?
- Special Education support for both push in and pull out instruction
- Smaller class size – 15:1 Student to Teacher ratio
- Faith based discipline that inspires students to be saints in the making
- Behavioral support to keep classroom disturbances to a minimum
- A loving, caring environment that nurtures students and staff
- A place where faith is at the forefront of everything we do!
Private Schools in Kansas City
Academy Montessori Internationale
Grades: 18 months – 12 years old
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Academy Montessori Internationale is an explorer’s paradise in a suburb of Kansas City, providing children with prepared classroom environments and a natural playground. It is located on a rolling, wooded ten-acre tract with a pond and small creek, giving opportunities for observing and exploring the wonders of nature on a daily basis.
The Barstow School
Grades: Preschool – 12th grade
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Barstow combines innovative academics, individualized learning and an emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) to provide the best independent school education in the region. Forward-looking instruction responds to changing times and the changing needs of students and families for more than 135 years. We begin with rigorous academics and add opportunities to create, compete, perform, and lead at every grade level. With so much to offer, Barstow students don’t have to choose one path. Instead, we encourage them to explore every interest. From the start, a Barstow education is designed to propel students to go anywhere they choose.
Calvary Lutheran School
Grades: infant – 8th grade
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Calvary is a Christ-centered environment where students become successful, life-long learners. Our families are impressed by the quality of education their children receive, the confidence students gain in their years at Calvary, and the feeling that God is truly at work in this school.
Chesterton Academy
Grades: 9-12
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Our goal is to form joyful, generous, faithful and confident Catholic leaders prepared for community life and mission in the modern world. Inspired by Saint Pope John Paul II, we take as our motto Cultura Vitae, the culture of life, as our students triumph over the materialism and despair that pervades our culture to have life and have it abundantly. We do this with a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in:
Citizens of the World
Grades: Pre-K – 8th grade
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Citizens of the World Kansas City was born out of a grassroots effort led by Midtown Kansas City families known as the Midtown Community School Initiative (MCSI). MCSI hoped to create high-performing, diverse neighborhood schools that would provide quality options for the growing number of families who wanted to stay and raise their children in Midtown. The mission of Citizens of the World Kansas City is to provide an excellent public education focused on developing and demonstrating understanding while building connections within a diverse community.
Cristo Rey Kansas City
Grades: 9-12
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Cristo Rey Kansas City provides a Catholic, college and career prep education enhanced by an innovative corporate work study program to culturally diverse, ambitious students with economic need.
Kalos Christian Academy
Grades:Kindergarten-12
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Kalos Christian Academy’s mission is to glorify God by partnering with parents in discipling their children with a distinctly Christ-centered, classical, and academically excellent education.
Kansas City Academy
Grades: middle and high school
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Kansas City Academy is a personalized learning community that respects individuality, encourages independent thinking, and values creativity in all disciplines. Kansas City Academy encourages its students to be curious, explore their passions, try new things, and push the boundaries of their comfort zones. KCA is known for our fantastic arts, music, theater, and culinary programs; it’s much more.
Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy
Grades: 5th-7th with grade levels added each year.
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Our students are ready to lead. We give them the space to do it. We engage with rich literature, accurate and multicultural history, intensive learning in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), and meaningful enrichment opportunities.We affirm young women of all backgrounds and ensure they approach academics with confidence.
Lutheran High School
Grades: 9-12
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The Lutheran High School of Kansas City is designed to educate students and guide students to grow fully into the person God created them to be. We believe that each student is unique. God gave each student different talents and skills. Our faculty and staff are prepared to work with every student in the classroom. Our teacher-student relationship is considered vital to the success of our students and school. Our school community also plays a complimentary role in the success of our students and school.
Notre Dame de Sion
Grades: preschool – 8th grade co-ed; 9-12 girls only
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Pembroke Hill
Grades: preschool – 12th grade
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Providence School of the Arts
Grades: elementary and junior high
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In 2012, Providence School of Arts launched with the aim to bring the visual & performing arts to the urban core and provide a quality, affordable private school as an alternative education option. Since then we have offered annual summer arts camps to the community, started an elementary school, and launched a variety of arts enrichment opportunities.
Rockhurst High School
St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School
Grades: toddler – 8th grade
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St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School serves toddler through eighth grade students in the heart of Kansas City, MO. Our community is full of compassionate teachers, diverse voices, and innovative programming. St. Paul’s offers excellent academics coupled with character development and service learning to prepare the leaders of tomorrow. We foster a community that supports physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness while integrating concepts like societal equity and justice.
St. Teresa’s Academy
Grades: 9-12, girls only
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St. Teresa’s Academy, Kansas City’s premier Catholic, college-preparatory high school, educates and empowers young women to change the world.
Saint Therese School
Grades: K-8
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It is through a broad-based, challenging curriculum integrated with Catholic Christian values that the total life experience of the child is enriched. St. Therese School develops our students’ ability to reason and make responsible decisions. We provide the foundation for our K-8th students of all denominations to make a contribution to the community and the global society as they enrich their relationship with God.
St. Pius X High School
Grades: 9-12
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St. Pius X High School builds a foundation in faith, academic excellence, and lifelong learning, partnering with families to enhance Catholic morals and authentic truth for the greater glory of God.
Visitation School
Grades: Kindergarten – 8th grade
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Visitation, a community of communities, is committed to a way of life based on Christ’s teaching and our Catholic tradition by being dedicated to lifelong conversation in faith, healing sanctuary in our sacraments and relationships, an educational environment for our children which emphasizes Catholic values and is committed to excellence, awareness and responsiveness to the needs of our neighbors and our society.
Whitefield Academy
Grades: Pre-K – 12th grade
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Whitefield Academy’s mission is to build a Christ-centered school that equips students to be Christ-honoring critical thinkers, clear communicators, and compassionate leaders, through the pursuit of academic excellence, in the tradition of classical Christian education.
Accelerated Schools of Overland Park
Grades: 4th-12th grade
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For over 45 years, concerned parents in the greater Kansas City area have turned to our private school in Johnson County, Kansas, to help their students overcome challenges and succeed academically. When students are not successful or are not thriving in their current school situation, parents often look elsewhere for a solution. ADOP is focused on being a compassionate school with a positive Growth Mindset approach to help students take ownership of their learning to realize success.
Bethany Lutheran School
Grades: preschool – 8th grade
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At Bethany Lutheran School we: 1. Share Christ’s love through words and actions; 2. Are a school of academic excellence; 3. Provide a supportive, caring community; 4. Partner with parents to nurture each child’s unique gifts. At the heart of all that we do, our goal is to lead others to a saving relationship with Christ.
Bishop Miege High School
Grades: 9-12
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Bishop Miege High School, a Catholic community of faith, strives to develop the potential of our students through spiritual growth, academic success and stewardship.
Christ Lutheran
Grades: Kindergarten-12
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Researching the programs and disciplines of Classical Education (Classicism) and classical schools produces a wide spectrum of philosophies and practices. For that reason, Christ Lutheran School (CLS) has developed a succinct explanation of how classical education is implemented in our learning environment. There are four styles of classical education: Christian Classicism, Moral Classicism, Social Classicism, and Liberating Classicism. Each requires a mention because CLS uses qualities of each in creating our uniquely balanced academic and spiritual environment.
Heritage Christian Academy
Grades: Preschool-12
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For 15 years, Heritage Christian Academy has partnered with families and churches to raise up thousands of students who have found life in Jesus and been equipped to discern and follow His call wherever He leads them. We are a covenant-model, Gospel-centered college preparatory school in southern Johnson County, Kansas. HCA’s two campuses house our three educational tiers: Preschool, Elementary, and Upper School.
Hope Lutheran
Grades: Kindergarten-8th, also offer preschool
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Hope Lutheran School provides a warm and supportive learning environment for children during their most formative school years, from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Hope Lutheran School provides students with a safe, diverse, innovative, academically inspiring environment that encourages a lifetime love of learning.
Horizon Academy
Grades: 1-12
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Horizon Academy is the area’s premier school and education center for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, as well as a valuable training resource to the community.
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
Grades: Kindergarten – 12th grade
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At HBHA, a K-12 school, students are encouraged to succeed on their own terms. Our whole-child approach helps students discover who they are, and gives them the freedom to determine how they can have the most beneficial impact on our society through a strong academic foundation, individualized attention, and a community rooted in Jewish values.
Kansas City Christian
Grades: Pre-K to 12th grade.
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Kansas City Christian is a PreK-12 school in Prairie Village, Kansas that offers a Christ-centered learning environment where students experience the transformational love of God and grow in their faith in the context of education. Through academic excellence, solid biblical teaching, fellowship and mentoring, students are prepared to hear and respond to God’s call in their lives, sharing His Truth and love wherever they go.
Maranatha Christian Academy
Grades: Kindergarten – 12th grade
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Maranatha is a great college preparatory school that prepares students for life and college through excellent academic skills and a Biblical worldview.
Mt. Olive Lutheran School
Grades: Kindergarten – 8
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Mt. Olive Lutheran School provides a rigorous education centered on God’s Word to assist congregational and community families in teaching students to know Jesus as their Savior and to live Christian lives of service. God’s Word permeates and motivates all teaching and learning in our school.
Overland Christian
Shawnee Mission Christian School
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St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Grades: 9-12
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Lee’s Summit Academy
Grades: Kindergarten – 12th grade
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Our vision at Lee’s Summit Academy is to provide a safe environment where students can excel academically. It is no secret that students have different learning styles and to ensure each student gets the attention they need we keep our classes to a smaller size so we can help the children advance quicker with more one on one interaction.
Plaza Heights Christian Academy
Grades: Kindergarten – 12th grade
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Summit Christian Academy
Grades: preschool – 12th grade
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Summit Christian Academy is an independent, nondenominational Christian school located in the Kansas City, Missouri, area serving over 1,200 students from preschool through 12th grade. Summit Christian Academy is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and Cognia.
Clay-Platte Montessori School
Grades: birth – high school
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Clay-Platte Montessori School (was founded in 1966 and has been at its current location since 1974. CPMS offers authentic Montessori programs for children from birth through high school. Exploring nature and its inhabitants amidst a meandering creek, open meadows, and wooded trails are favorite activities of the students. Nature is an important component of the Montessori philosophy, and the campus was designed specifically to embrace this need. To stay true to the method and design of the campus, the indoor/outdoor classroom is embraced everyday.
Eagle Heights Christian School
Grades: Kindergarten – 12th grade
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Using the platform of quality Christian education, Eagle Heights Christian School exists to partner with parents to love, educate, and disciple their children by prayerfully speaking God’s Truth into their lives in order to prepare them for life and eternity.
Faith Christian Academy
Grades: preschool – 12th grade
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The principles of parental involvement and classical training lead Faith Christian Academy. The three-day-a-week model combines classroom instruction with the benefits of homeschooling under the guidance of experienced educators.
Harvest Christian School
Grades: 6 weeks – 12th grade
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Harvest Christian School is a Christ-Centered School whose emphasis is to evangelize children into a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Children receive excellent instruction combined with the Word of God. The educational emphasis is placed on the Abeka and Bob Jones Curriculum, which prepares the students for future leadership. Harvest Christian School is irrevocably committed to “Training up Leaders who will Impact Generations!”
New Hope Christian
Grades: Kindergarten-12th grade
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New Hope Christian School is here to provide a Christ-centered learning program, which promotes developmental and academic readiness relevant to each child’s spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social needs. NHCS is a non-denominational school serving grades K-12.
Northland Christian
Grades: preschool – 12th grade
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NCS partners with Christian families and churches to provide a God-centered, discipleship-based school with academic excellence and a biblical worldview, equipping students to serve and influence our world for Christ.
Oak Hill Day School
Grades: preschool – 12th grade
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Students at Oakhill Day School in Gladstone discover themselves as learners in a community where they feel known and valued. Our teachers take on the role of guides, as well as instructors, who facilitate active learning in their students while nurturing the natural gifts each student brings – developing the whole child. Oakhill students are 21st century learners who embrace environmental education, rapidly changing technology, and globalization awareness… they are prepared for what future holds.
Outreach Christian
Grades: Pre-K – 12th grade
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Outreach Christian Education is known for it’s small school, family feel with an individually prescribed academic plan for each individual student. Students are designed with particular gifts and talents and are encouraged to discover and use their gifts and talents in the community they belong. Outreach focuses on the whole students, body, mind and spirit.
Refine KC
Grades: Kindergarten-12
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Refine KC students are equipped and refined by God’s Word and pursue ongoing spiritual growth and their own personal level of academic excellence in order to share their faith as leaders in their communities.
St. Charles Borromeo Academy
Grades: Pre-K – 8th grade
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St. Charles Borromeo Academy is a scholarly educational institution which provides a Catholic, Classical Education focused on the integral human formation and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. The teachings and beauty of our Catholic faith is not only a subject of academic study in each grade but is woven through all of what we do at Borromeo Academy, providing unity and cohesiveness to the curriculum.
St. James School
Grades: preschool – 8th grade
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St. James believes in educating the whole child through a curriculum enriched in our faith values. At St. James, we recognize that children vary in learning styles, talents, and abilities, and we foster growth through a variety of teaching methods, learning activities, and practical experiences. We provide children with opportunities to develop their potential for knowledge, self-inquiry, and self-esteem.
