Trinity Catholic vs St. John Lutheran Compared
Trinity Catholic vs St. John Lutheran: both Niche A, both ~520 students, both ~$9,500 tuition. Real differences: grade range, AP vs IB, denomination.
Two of Ocala's top private schools, Trinity Catholic High School and St. John Lutheran School, get compared constantly by relocating families. They're both strong; they're also fundamentally different products. Here's the head-to-head.
The structural difference
| Feature | St. John Lutheran | Trinity Catholic |
|---|---|---|
| Grade range | PK-12 | 9-12 only |
| Affiliation | Lutheran (LCMS) | Catholic (Diocese of Orlando) |
| Enrollment | ~530 students | ~520 students |
| Tuition | $9,350-$10,950 | ~$9,500 |
| Niche grade | A (top in county) | A- |
| AP / IB / DE | 12 AP courses | AP, IB, Dual Enrollment |
| College acceptance | 100% | ~98% |
Pick St. John Lutheran if
- You have kids in multiple grade ranges (you keep one school PK-12)
- You're Lutheran or open to Lutheran religious education
- You want the "consistent culture from kindergarten to graduation" experience
- You appreciate slightly smaller class sizes in upper grades
Pick Trinity Catholic if
- You only need high school (your kids are 9th grade or older)
- You're Catholic or want Catholic religious education
- You want the IB Programme option in addition to AP
- You value Diocese-of-Orlando network connections (extracurriculars, alumni)
What both schools share
- Strong college placement
- Religious education built into curriculum (varies by tradition)
- Smaller class sizes than public schools
- Active parent communities
- Tuition assistance / scholarships available for qualifying families
- Florida Tax Credit Scholarship eligible (means-tested state scholarship)
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Both St. John Lutheran and Trinity Catholic are strong private school options. The deciding factor is usually grade range (St. John PK-12 vs Trinity 9-12) and religious affiliation. Tuition is comparable. Academic outcomes are comparable. If you have multiple kids spanning elementary through high school, St. John's PK-12 continuity is a real practical advantage.
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