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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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