The Best Private Schools in Camino, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Camino. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Oak Ridge Montessori School
American Montessori Society
Oak Ridge Montessori School is a highly-rated private school serving families from Camino and the broader Sierra foothills region. Established in 1982 and accredited by the American Montessori Society, the school offers authentic Montessori education for children ages 2 through 12. The program emphasizes individualized learning, hands-on materials, and development of independence within a carefully prepared environment. The school features spacious classrooms, beautiful outdoor learning environments, and specialized Montessori materials. Enrichment programs include music, art, foreign language, and physical education. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, experienced Montessori-trained teachers, and the strong foundation it provides for lifelong learning.
Programs:
St. Patrick School
Catholic Diocese of Sacramento
St. Patrick School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving the Camino and greater Placerville area. Established in 1956, this accredited institution offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years teaching experience, and a well-rounded curriculum including advanced STEM programs, music, arts, and competitive sports. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, small class sizes averaging 18 students, and strong community involvement. The campus includes a library, computer lab, and outdoor recreational facilities.
Programs:
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Sacramento
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School serves families throughout the Sierra foothills region including Camino. This well-established school offers education from transitional kindergarten through 8th grade with a focus on academic excellence and character development. The school features a comprehensive curriculum with advanced mathematics and language arts programs, dedicated science labs, and extensive extracurricular offerings including competitive sports teams, music programs, and community service opportunities. The campus includes modern facilities with technology integration in all classrooms, a gymnasium, and outdoor play areas. Parents highlight the strong parent-teacher community and the school's commitment to developing well-rounded students.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Camino, California
What are the primary private school options available for families in Camino, California, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Camino, located in El Dorado County, offers a small but distinct selection of private schools. The main options include St. Patrick School and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, both providing faith-based, K-8 education rooted in Catholic values and a traditional academic curriculum. For families seeking an alternative approach, Oak Ridge Montessori School offers education based on the Montessori method, which emphasizes child-led learning and multi-age classrooms. Given Camino's rural-mountain setting, these schools often incorporate the local environment into their programs and have close-knit, community-focused atmospheres. There are no private high schools directly in Camino, so families typically look to neighboring Placerville or boarding options for secondary education.
How does tuition for private schools in Camino, CA, compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options specific to California families?
Tuition for Camino's private schools is generally below the high averages seen in major California metropolitan areas but is significant relative to local household incomes. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition for K-8 at the local Catholic schools typically ranges from $6,000 to $8,500 annually. Montessori tuition can be higher, often exceeding $10,000. All schools offer need-based financial aid, and importantly, California families may be eligible for additional support through the California Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships funded by donations to qualified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their specific aid packages, parish subsidies (for Catholic schools), and payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Camino private schools offer that leverage the local Sierra Nevada environment?
Private schools in Camino uniquely integrate the natural surroundings of the Sierra Nevada foothills into their curricula. It's common for schools to have robust outdoor education programs, including nature studies, local ecology projects, and gardening. Given the proximity to Apple Hill, some schools incorporate agricultural science and visits to local ranches. Extracurriculars often emphasize outdoor activities like hiking, skiing/snowboarding clubs (taking advantage of nearby Sierra-at-Tahoe), and environmental stewardship programs. This focus provides a hands-on, place-based learning experience that is distinctive to schools in this region, contrasting with more urban private school offerings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Camino, and are there considerations for transferring from local public school districts?
The enrollment timeline for Camino's private schools typically begins in January for the following fall, with priority often given to siblings of current students and parish members (for Catholic schools). The process usually involves an application, school records review, family interview, and for some grades, a student assessment. A key consideration for Camino families is the interschool transfer process from the El Dorado Union High School District or the Mother Lode Union Elementary School District. It's advisable to initiate contact with your preferred private school well before the public school year ends to understand their capacity and transfer requirements. Due to small class sizes, especially in the upper grades, spaces can be limited, so early application is recommended.
For families considering the choice, what are the notable differences between the public schools in the Camino area and the local private school options?
The primary differences lie in class size, educational approach, and community. Camino's public schools, part of the Mother Lode Union Elementary School District, offer a solid, tuition-free education but often have larger class sizes. The local private schools provide much smaller student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for highly individualized attention. The Catholic schools offer daily religious instruction and moral formation, while the Montessori school provides a specific, self-directed pedagogical approach not available in the public system. Furthermore, private schools in Camino often have more flexibility in curriculum and can avoid some of the state-mandated testing and programming, though they still meet California's private school standards. The trade-off, of course, is cost, with families weighing the financial investment against the desired educational environment and values alignment.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Private Secondary Schools Near Camino, CA | A Parent's Guide
For parents in Camino, the search for "private secondary schools near me" is often a journey that begins right here in our own community but extends thoughtfully into the greater Sierra foothills region. While Camino itself is home to several excellent foundational private institutions like St. Patrick School, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, and Oak Ridge Montessori School, it’s important to note that these primarily serve the preschool through elementary or middle school grades. This means your search for a dedicated private high school experience will naturally lead you to explore the neighboring towns and cities, which offer a variety of strong secondary options within a commutable distance. This reality shapes the decision-making process for local families, blending the desire for a close-knit, values-based education with the practicalities of a slightly longer school commute.
The good news is that the region surrounding Camino is rich with diverse private secondary choices. Looking towards Placerville, you’ll find faith-based options that provide a seamless continuation for students graduating from Camino’s own Catholic elementary schools. Heading towards the El Dorado Hills or Folsom areas opens up a wider array, including college-preparatory academies, independent schools with robust STEM or arts programs, and even boarding school options a bit farther afield. When you type "private secondary schools near me" from Camino, you’re really tapping into the educational landscape of the entire western slope of El Dorado County. This search is less about finding something within walking distance and more about finding the right philosophical and academic fit for your teenager, with the understanding that a 20 to 40-minute drive is part of the commitment to their specialized education.
This local context brings several key considerations to the forefront for Camino parents. First is the daily commute. Assessing your family’s schedule and your child’s ability to use travel time productively is crucial. Many families form carpools with neighbors who are on the same educational path. Second is the concept of educational continuity. If your child is currently at a local school like Oak Ridge Montessori, you’ll want to investigate how its pedagogical philosophy translates to secondary programs in the area, seeking schools that nurture that same love for self-directed learning. Finally, there’s the community aspect. Choosing a school in a neighboring town means your child’s social and extracurricular world will expand beyond Camino. This can be a tremendous benefit, offering broader opportunities, but it requires intentional effort to stay connected to their local peer group.
Ultimately, your search for private secondary schools near Camino is an investment in your child’s future trajectory. It involves weighing the unique benefits of a private high school—smaller class sizes, specialized programs, and often a strong focus on character development—against the logistics of making it work from our more rural setting. We recommend starting your search by defining your priorities: is it a particular religious affiliation, a specific academic strength, or a certain learning environment? Then, plan visits to schools in Placerville, El Dorado Hills, and beyond. Talk to other Camino parents who have navigated this transition; their insights on commute patterns and school cultures are invaluable. The perfect fit is out there, offering a challenging and supportive environment where your student can thrive, all within the beautiful backdrop of our Gold Country region.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities