The Best Private Schools in Avalon, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Avalon. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Anthony High School
Diocese of Orange
St. Anthony High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Catalina Island and surrounding areas. With a 98-year history of educational excellence, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 100% college acceptance rate. The campus features modern STEM labs, performing arts facilities, and competitive athletic programs. Students from Avalon typically commute via ferry, with the school providing guidance on transportation options. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty.
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Mary Star of the Sea High School
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Mary Star of the Sea High School is a Catholic co-educational institution that has served families from Catalina Island for decades. Located in nearby San Pedro with easy ferry access from Avalon, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The school maintains strong traditions while incorporating modern educational technology and facilities. With a focus on developing the whole person, the school provides academic support, spiritual formation, and numerous athletic and arts programs that attract students from coastal communities.
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St. Joseph High School
Diocese of Orange
St. Joseph High School is an acclaimed Catholic college preparatory school that serves students from throughout Southern California, including Catalina Island families. The school offers both traditional college prep and International Baccalaureate programs, providing exceptional academic opportunities. With state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, technology centers, and performing arts spaces, the school delivers a comprehensive educational experience. The school has a strong track record of college placements and offers extensive support for students commuting from island communities, including guidance on transportation and housing options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Avalon, California
What are the private school options for families living in Avalon, California, given its island location?
Avalon, located on Santa Catalina Island, presents unique logistical challenges for K-12 education. Within the city of Avalon itself, there are no traditional private day schools. The listed schools (St. Anthony, Mary Star of the Sea, and St. Joseph High Schools) are all located on the mainland in the Los Angeles Harbor area. For Avalon residents, attending these schools requires a daily ferry commute to San Pedro or Long Beach, which is a significant consideration. Some families also explore boarding school options elsewhere in California. The local public Avalon Schools on the island serve the majority of students, making the choice for private education one that involves a substantial commitment to off-island travel.
How does the cost of attending a mainland private school from Avalon compare to typical California private school tuition?
The total cost for an Avalon-based student to attend a private high school like St. Joseph or Mary Star of the Sea includes significantly more than just tuition. For the 2024-2025 school year, tuition at these schools ranges from approximately $10,000 to $15,000. However, parents must also budget for the mandatory Catalina Express ferry pass, which can add $3,000-$5,000 annually for a student commuting 5 days a week. Additional costs include daily transportation on the mainland (e.g., bus or carpool from the San Pedro terminal) and potentially early morning or late evening childcare. Financial aid and scholarships are offered by the schools themselves, and some Avalon families may qualify for additional assistance through specific diocesan or donor-funded programs aimed at supporting island students.
What academic or extracurricular programs might justify the commute to a mainland private school for an Avalon student?
Mainland private schools accessible from Avalon offer programs that are difficult to replicate in a small, isolated school district. St. Anthony, Mary Star of the Sea, and St. Joseph High Schools typically provide robust college preparatory curricula with numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dedicated STEM labs, and comprehensive visual/performing arts programs. They also offer competitive athletic leagues (CIF), a wider variety of clubs, and more structured college counseling. For a student passionate about a specific sport, advanced science lab, or language not offered on the island, these programs can be a compelling reason to undertake the daily commute, providing a broader peer network and preparation for larger university environments.
What is the enrollment process and timeline for an Avalon family applying to a mainland Catholic high school like Mary Star of the Sea?
The process requires early and proactive planning due to the commute logistics. The standard timeline begins in the fall of a student's 8th grade year with open houses (often requiring a dedicated mainland trip). Applications are typically due between December and February for the following fall. Key steps include submitting transcripts from Avalon School, completing the HSPT or similar entrance exam (often administered on the mainland on a Saturday), and an interview. It is crucial for Avalon parents to communicate directly with the school's admissions office about their unique situation. Schools are generally familiar with applicants from the island and can advise on testing logistics, interview formats (sometimes available via video), and important deadline flexibility due to ferry schedules.
How do the private school communities for Avalon students differ from the close-knit environment of the local public Avalon Schools?
Choosing a mainland private school creates a distinct "dual-community" experience for an Avalon student. While they maintain their home life and friendships on the island, they become part of a much larger, religiously affiliated school community on the mainland, often with students from multiple cities across the South Bay and Harbor area. This can significantly expand their social and academic perspectives. However, it requires managing relationships in two separate worlds and can lead to less participation in after-school island activities due to the ferry schedule. The private school community often provides a strong, values-based identity and a focused pathway to college, but it comes with the trade-off of being less integrated into the daily fabric of the small Avalon community during the school week.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Top Private Schools in Avalon, CA: A Parent's Guide to Local Excellence
As a parent in Avalon, the search for the "best private schools near me" takes on a unique dimension. Our island community offers a close-knit public system, but many families look beyond the water to the mainland for private secondary education, seeking specific academic rigor, faith-based learning, or specialized programs. This journey, while involving a commute, opens doors to some exceptional institutions that have long served families from Catalina Island. The process is less about finding a school in your immediate neighborhood and more about identifying the right educational partner accessible from Avalon, one that aligns with your child’s needs and your family’s values.
Three notable schools frequently considered by Avalon families are St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Mary Star of the Sea High School in San Pedro, and St. Joseph High School in Lakewood. Each provides a distinct environment. St. Anthony High School is known for its strong college preparatory curriculum and diverse student body, offering a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and extracurricular activities. For families prioritizing a traditional Catholic education with a deep sense of community, Mary Star of the Sea High School is a compelling choice, fostering a supportive environment that often feels like an extension of family. St. Joseph High School, also a Catholic institution, emphasizes a holistic formation, balancing academic excellence with character development and service.
When evaluating the "best private schools near me" from Avalon, practical logistics become a significant part of the decision. The commute via the Catalina Express is a daily reality, so considering the school’s schedule, proximity to the San Pedro or Long Beach terminals, and potential carpool arrangements with other island families is crucial. Many of these schools are accustomed to enrolling students from Avalon and can provide insights into how other families manage the logistics successfully. It’s also wise to investigate each school’s transportation policies or any affiliated bus services that might ease the journey.
The true measure of the best fit extends beyond rankings. We encourage you to visit these campuses. Attend an open house, feel the culture, and speak directly with administrators about how they support students who commute from Avalon. Ask about homework loads in the context of ferry travel, availability of after-school study halls before the return trip, and how the school facilitates integration for students who may not live nearby. Your definition of "best" will be personal—whether it’s the most robust STEM program, the strongest arts department, or the most welcoming faith community. By framing your search around the specific opportunities accessible from our unique home, you can find an outstanding private school that not only educates your child but also understands the distinctive rhythm of life for an Avalon family.
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