For parents interested in sending their children to private
school, weighing all of the options can seem overwhelming
– and that’s before the first tuition bill arrives. But
according to some, the benefits of attending private school are
well worth the money.
For parents interested in sending their children to private school, weighing all of the options can seem overwhelming – and that’s before the first tuition bill arrives. But according to some, the benefits of attending private school are well worth the money.
Nearly 500,000 students in the United States attend private schools, according to a study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics.
Not only are students who attend private schools more likely to go on to college, they’re more likely to get involved in civic and cultural life, said Mark Mitchell, vice president of the National Association of Independent Schools. The organization represents about 1,200 independent schools in the United States.
“The payoff (for attending private schools) is both immediate and long range,” Mitchell said. “Eighty-five percent (of private school students) go on to ‘very high’ or ‘highly selective’ colleges and universities. They are more likely to attend recitals, concerts, play musical instruments, read for pleasure and visit art museums and galleries.”
If you’re in the market for a private school, here is some basic information about a handful of private schools in the South Valley.
Calvary Christian School
Address: 1900 Highland Drive, Hollister
Phone: (831) 637-2909
Web site: www.calvaryofhollister.com/ school
Grades: Kindergarten to 12.
Annual tuition: $3,100 for kindergarten to 8; $3,200 for 9 to 12
Number of students: 170
Number of teachers: 11
Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Religious affiliation: Christian
Athletics: Girls volleyball, basketball and track; boys soccer, basketball and track
Uniforms: Yes
Application process and fees: Application form and placement test. $100 all-inclusive application and registration fee. Discounts are offered when enrolling siblings, depending on the number of siblings and the grade levels.
Carden Academy of Morgan Hill
Address: 410 Llagas Road, Morgan Hill
Phone: (408) 776-8801
Web site: www.cardenacademymh.com
Grades: Preschool to 8.
Annual tuition: $10,400 for all grade levels
Number of students: 100
Number of teachers: 18
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Religious affiliation: None
Athletics: Gymnastics
Uniforms: Yes
Application process and fees: Application form, student interview and evaluation. $125 application fee; $500 registration fee. A 10-percent discount on tuition is offered when enrolling siblings.
Crossroads Christian School
Address: 145 Wright Ave., Morgan Hill
Phone: (408) 779-8850
Web site: www.crossroadschristian school.org
Grades: Pre-kindergarten to 8
Annual tuition: $4,985 for pre-kindergarten; $5,475 for kindergarten to grade 5; $5,745 for grades 6 to 8
Number of students: 250
Number of teachers: 20
Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Religious affiliation: Christian
Athletics: Boys basketball, soccer and flag football; girls basketball, volleyball and soccer; co-ed volleyball; member of the San Benito Athletic League
Uniforms: Yes
Application process and fees: Application form and placement testing. $25 application fee; $300 registration fee. A 15-percent discount is offered when enrolling siblings.
Mount Madonna School
Address: 491 Summit Road,
Watsonville
Phone: (408) 847-2717
Website: www.mountmadonna school.org
Grades: Preschool to 12.
Annual tuition: Varies by grade level from $6,000 to $13,000
Number of students: 194
Number of teachers: 23
Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 in preschool/kindergarten, 9:1 in grades 1 to 12
Religious affiliation: None
Athletics: Boys and girls volleyball for grades 5 to 12, coeducational basketball for grades 5 to 8; member of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League
Uniforms: No
Application process and fees: Application form, assessment of student writing samples, letters of recommendation. Academic testing for grades 5 to 10. $100 application fee; $340 to $805 registration fee depending on grade level. No discount is offered when enrolling siblings.
Oakwood Country School
Address: 105 John Wilson Way,
Morgan Hill
Phone: (408) 782-7177
Web site: www.oakwoodmh.org
Grades: Preschool to 9; full high school (grades 10 to 12) scheduled to open in the fall
Annual tuition: $2,950 – $6,950 for preschool to kindergarten; $10,200 for grades 1 to 12
Number of students: 420
Number of teachers: 40
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 for preschool and kindergarten; 20:1 for grades 1 to 12
Religious affiliation: None
Athletics: Girls and boys volleyball, basketball, football, soccer and track and field
Application process and fees: All grades require an application form. Interview only for preschool and kindergarten. Shadow for two days for grades 1 to 5. Shadow for two days and placement test for grades 6 to 12. $50 application fee; $500 to $1,000 registration fee depending on grade level. A 5-percent discount is offered for the second sibling enrolled and 25 percent for the third sibling and on.
Pacific West Christian Academy
Address: 1575A Mantelli Drive, Gilroy
Phone: (408) 847-7922
Web site: www.pwca-edu.org
Grades: Kindergarten to 8.
Tuition: $4,600 for kindergarten to 6; $4,800 for 7 and 8
Number of students: 370
Number of teachers: 21
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 in kindergarten and first grade; 25:1 in grades 2 to 8
Religious affiliation: Christian
Athletics: Girls and boys soccer, basketball, flag football and cheerleading
Uniforms: Yes in kindergarten to grade 6 only
Application process and fees: Application form, student/parent interview, placement test. $270 all-inclusive application and registration fee. A 15-percent discount is offered when enrolling siblings.
Sacred Heart Parish School
Address: 670 College St., Hollister
Phone: (831) 637-4157
Web site: www.sacredheartschool.org
Grades: Preschool to 8
Annual tuition: $1,100 and $1,400 for preschool two days and three per week respectively; $3,280 for kindergartners who are not members of the parish; $2,952 for kindergartners who are members of the parish; $4,100 for students in grades 1 to 8 who are not members of the parish; $3,690 for students who are members of the parish.
Number of students: 463
Number of teachers: 21
Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Athletics: Boys and girls flag football, basketball, volleyball, track and field and soccer
Uniforms: Yes
Application process and fees: Application form, assessment for kindergartners and parent/student interview for grades 1 to 8. $10 application fee; $260 registration fee. No discount is offered when enrolling siblings.
Saint Catherine’s Catholic School
Address: 17500 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill
Phone: (408) 779-9950
Web site: www.stca.org/church/school
Grades: Kindergarten to 8
Annual tuition: $4,750 for student who is baptized Catholic or whose family is active in the parish; $7,075 for student who is not baptized Catholic or whose family is not active in the parish.
Number of students: 300
Number of teachers: 12
Student-teacher ratio: 32:1
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Athletics: Boys and girls volleyball, softball and basketball for grades 5 to 8
Uniforms: Yes
Application process and fees: Application form, placement test and student/parent interview. $40 application fee; $380 registration fee. A discount is offered when enrolling four siblings.
Saint Mary School
Address: 7900 Church St., Gilroy
Phone: (408) 842-2827
Web site: www.stmarygilroy.org
Grades: Kindergarten to 8.
Annual tuition: $3,826 for kindergartners whose family belongs to parish; $4,305 for families who do not belong to parish. For grades 1 to 8, $4,583 for families who belong to parish; $5,728 for families who do not.
Number of students: 312
Number of teachers: 12
Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 for kindergarten and grades 1 to 3; 35:1 for grades 4 to 8
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Athletics: Offered to grades 5 to 8; boys and girls basketball and volleyball, boys flag football and girls softball
Uniforms: Yes
Application process and fees: Application form, screening, recommendation from prior schools and in some cases interviews for grades 6 to 8. $25 application fee; $340 registration fee for kindergarten and $400 for grades 1 to 8. Discounts are offered when enrolling siblings depending on the number siblings and grade levels.
Seventh Day Adventist School
Address: 2020 Santa Ana Road, Hollister
Phone: (831) 637-5570
Web site: www.hollistersdaschool.org
Grades: Pre-kindergarten to 8.
Annual tuition: $3,300 for all grade levels
Number of students: 90
Number of teachers: 6
Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Religious affiliation: Seventh Day Adventist
Athletics: Girls and boys soccer
Uniforms: Yes
Application process and fees: Application form, student/parent interview. $350 all-inclusive application and registration fee. A 5-percent discount is offered for the second sibling enrolled, 10-percent discount for the third sibling, etc.
Shadow Mountain Baptist School
Address: 280 Llagas Road, Morgan Hill
Phone: (408) 782-7806
Web site: None
Grades: Kindergarten to 6.
Annual tuition: $4,225 for all grade levels
Number of students: 100
Number of teachers: 10
Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Religious affiliation: Baptist
Athletics: None
Uniforms: Yes
Application process and fees: Application form and placement test. $50 application fee; $140 registration fee. A 10-percent discount is offered when enrolling siblings.
