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Private Schools in New Braunfels, TX: A Family's Guide to Every Option

From the non-denominational flagship to two Catholic schools, a university-model program, and a Lutheran option — here's every private school a New Braunfels family realistically considers, with what each one is and who it fits.

📅 Updated June 2026 ✍️ By Texas Home Talk Editorial Team 🕐 9 min read

New Braunfels has grown fast, and its private-school options have kept pace — a relocating family here chooses among genuinely distinct schools rather than slight variations on one. Within town you'll find a large non-denominational Christian academy spanning preschool through twelfth grade, two Catholic schools (one of them more than a century old, the other a modern high school on a 53-acre campus), a university-model program, and a Lutheran school. This guide covers the private schools New Braunfels families actually weigh, what sets each apart, and the practical details — grade range, affiliation, accreditation, and rough tuition — that help you build a shortlist before you schedule a single tour.

New to the Texas private-school landscape? Our guide to private schools across Central Texas covers how accreditation works in Texas, the public-vs-private calculus, application timelines, and the questions to ask on a tour. This page focuses on the specific schools in New Braunfels.

Private Schools in New Braunfels, TX

These are the schools New Braunfels families most often compare — spanning non-denominational Christian, Catholic, university-model, and Lutheran approaches, across every grade band from preschool through high school.

New Braunfels Christian Academy

Non-denom Christian PK–12 TAPPS 2A

New Braunfels' largest and best-known private school, and the closest thing the town has to a flagship. Founded in 1981, NBCA (the Wildcats) is an independent, non-denominational Christian school running preschool through 12th grade across two campuses — an elementary campus on Mission Hills Drive and a secondary campus on FM 1863. It's accredited by ACSI and SACS, fields teams across 17 sports in TAPPS 2A, and its secondary fine-arts program has ranked first in the state for its division. For families wanting a full K–12 Christian education with strong athletics and arts under one banner, NBCA is the anchor option.

GradesPK3–12 (two campuses)
AffiliationNon-denominational Christian
AccreditationACSI & SACS
Approx. tuition~$14,205 (elem) – $15,705 (HS)

Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School

Catholic PK–8 100+ Years

The historic heart of Catholic education in New Braunfels — the school has served the community for more than a century, and many of the city's longtime families and leaders are alumni. Sts. Peter and Paul runs preschool through 8th grade with a Diocesan curriculum, daily faith formation, and a full slate of interscholastic sports. It's also among the more affordable private options in town, which combined with its deep local roots makes it a natural choice for Catholic families wanting an elementary and middle-school foundation. Families typically pair it with a plan for high school, often the nearby John Paul II.

GradesPK–8
AffiliationCatholic (Diocese)
Approx. tuition~$5,700
NotePlan ahead for grades 9+

St. John Paul II Catholic High School

Catholic Grades 9–12 53-Acre Campus

The Catholic high school option, and a natural continuation for graduates of Sts. Peter and Paul or other Catholic elementary schools. Founded in 2009 and set on a 53-acre campus on the northeast side of town, John Paul II serves grades 9–12 with a college-preparatory curriculum, a strong matriculation record, and a small student-teacher ratio. For Catholic families committed to a faith-centered high school experience through graduation, it's the in-town choice — and it draws students from across the New Braunfels and Schertz areas.

Grades9–12
AffiliationCatholic (college-prep)
Approx. tuition (2026–27)~$14,271 (one student)
Founded2009

Grace Preparatory Academy of New Braunfels

Christian (non-denom) Grades 6–12 University-Model

The university-model option in New Braunfels. Grace Prep is a non-denominational, college-preparatory Christian school for grades 6–12 where classes meet twice a week — Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesdays/Thursdays — with students completing the rest of their work at home. Founded in 2009, it's the most affordable private path in town and suits families who want rigorous college prep plus more family time and parental involvement in learning. The trade-off, beyond the home-day commitment, is an accreditation distinction worth understanding before enrolling.

Worth knowing: Grace Prep is accredited through NAPS (a private body), not a TEPSAC-recognized agency. By the school's own statement, its diploma does not automatically transfer credits to Texas public schools or qualify for the state's top-10% automatic university admission. That's a real consideration for families who might move again or want public-school fallback — though graduates have matriculated to universities across Texas and beyond.

Grades6–12
FormatUniversity-model (2 days/week on campus)
AccreditationNAPS (not TEPSAC-recognized)
Approx. tuitionFrom ~$4,050 (varies by load)

Cross Lutheran School

Lutheran PK–8 Small Classes

A long-established Lutheran option offering a Christ-centered education from early childhood through 8th grade. Cross Lutheran integrates Bible study throughout its curriculum and is known for small classes and a warm, family-feel community. For families wanting a faith-based elementary and middle-school environment with individual attention — and a more affordable tuition than the larger academies — Cross is a solid fit. As with the other PK–8 schools, families plan ahead for a high school transition.

GradesPK–8
AffiliationLutheran
Approx. tuition~$7,560
NotePlan ahead for grades 9+

Early Childhood

For the youngest students, First Protestant Church School offers daycare, preschool, and after-school programs from six weeks through 5th grade, tied to the historic First Protestant Church that has served New Braunfels since the city's 1845 founding. It's a faith-based early-childhood option rather than a full academic school, and a common starting point for families who then move on to one of the K–12 schools above.

School details — grades, accreditation, and especially tuition — change year to year. Figures here are drawn from each school's published materials and reflect 2025–26 or 2026–27 where available; confirm current specifics directly with the school before making decisions.

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Matching a New Braunfels School to Your Family

Because New Braunfels' schools represent distinct philosophies and price points, the choice is more about fit than ranking. A quick way to narrow it: for a full K–12 Christian education with athletics and arts, New Braunfels Christian Academy is the anchor. For Catholic education, Sts. Peter and Paul covers the elementary and middle years affordably, with St. John Paul II continuing through high school. For a university-model approach with more family time and the lowest tuition, Grace Prep is the lever — with the accreditation caveat noted above. For a small, faith-based elementary with individual attention, Cross Lutheran fits. And for the earliest years, First Protestant is a long-standing starting point.

New Braunfels families also sometimes look toward neighboring markets — Seguin, Schertz, Cibolo, and the north-San-Antonio corridor — for additional options, particularly for specific programs or high schools. If you're weighing a broader search, our Central Texas private-schools guide frames the wider region.

New Braunfels Private Schools: Common Questions

What is the best private school in New Braunfels?

There isn't one "best" — New Braunfels schools serve different needs. New Braunfels Christian Academy is the largest and best-known, offering non-denominational Christian education PK–12. But the right choice depends on your family: Sts. Peter and Paul or St. John Paul II for Catholic education, Grace Prep for a university-model approach, or Cross Lutheran for a small faith-based elementary. The best school is the one that matches your child and your priorities.

Are there Catholic schools in New Braunfels?

Yes, two. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School serves PK through 8th grade and has been part of New Braunfels for more than a century. St. John Paul II Catholic High School, founded in 2009 on a 53-acre campus, serves grades 9–12. Many families move from one to the other, using Sts. Peter and Paul for elementary and middle school and John Paul II for high school.

How much does private school cost in New Braunfels?

It ranges widely. Grace Prep's university-model program starts around $4,050, Sts. Peter and Paul runs about $5,700, Cross Lutheran about $7,560, New Braunfels Christian Academy roughly $14,205 to $15,705 by grade, and St. John Paul II about $14,271 for 2026–27. Fees and financial aid change the real figure, so confirm current numbers with each school.

What should I know about private school accreditation in New Braunfels?

Most New Braunfels private schools are accredited through TEPSAC-recognized agencies, meaning credits transfer cleanly to Texas public schools. One exception: Grace Preparatory Academy is accredited through NAPS, a private body, and by its own statement its diploma doesn't automatically transfer credits to public schools or qualify for the state's top-10% auto-admission. It's worth asking any school directly about its accreditation if credit transfer matters to you.

Thinking About a Move to New Braunfels?

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THT

Texas Home Talk Editorial Team. We cover New Braunfels and the communities of Central Texas and the Hill Country for the families moving in, the residents living here, and the owners watching the market. School details in this guide are drawn from published school materials and primary sources; where we quote schools or families directly, those interviews are our own.

Private Schools in New Braunfels, TX: At a Glance

Choosing among private schools New Braunfels families consider means weighing distinct philosophies and price points. The New Braunfels private schools market spans non-denominational Christian, Catholic, university-model, and Lutheran options, led by New Braunfels Christian Academy, the town's largest PK–12 school. Families seeking Catholic schools New Braunfels has two — Sts. Peter and Paul and St. John Paul II. Several more private schools near New Braunfels sit in Seguin, Schertz, and the San Antonio corridor. For statewide context — accreditation, tuition, and evaluating a school — see our guide to private schools in Central Texas, and our New Braunfels community guide for neighborhoods and market intel.