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The Best Private Schools in Capay, California

Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Capay. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.

3
Private Schools
4.7
Average Rating
0
Total Students
3
School Types

School Overview

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Religious Schools
3
Secular Schools
3
Different Types

Top-Rated Private Schools

The Phoenix School

Independent

4.8

The Phoenix School in Davis is a highly-rated independent private school serving students from preschool through 6th grade, drawing families from throughout Yolo County including Capay. The school follows a progressive educational model emphasizing hands-on, project-based learning and social-emotional development. Notable features include extensive outdoor education programs, integrated arts curriculum, Spanish language instruction from early grades, and a strong focus on environmental stewardship. The school boasts exceptional teacher retention, with many faculty holding advanced degrees and averaging 12+ years at the institution. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high due to the school's nurturing environment and innovative approach to education.

2431 Portage Bay East, Davis, CA 95616, Capay, California CA 95616
Grades: K-12
Founded 1996

Programs:

Progressive educationProject-based learningOutdoor education

St. John's Academy

Catholic Diocese of Sacramento

4.7

St. John's Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic private school located in nearby Woodland, serving families throughout Yolo County including Capay. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with an average of 15+ years teaching experience, robust STEM curriculum, comprehensive arts program including music and visual arts, and competitive sports teams. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and consistently achieves above-average standardized test scores.

432 Marshall Ave, Woodland, CA 95695, Capay, California CA 95695
Grades: K-12
Founded 1989

Programs:

Catholic educationSTEM programFine arts+1 more

Stratford Preparatory School

Stratford School

4.6

Stratford Preparatory School in Sacramento is part of the respected Stratford School network and serves families throughout the greater Sacramento region, including Capay residents seeking rigorous college preparatory education. The school offers comprehensive programs from preschool through middle school with a strong emphasis on advanced academics, STEM education, and character development. Features include state-of-the-art science labs, comprehensive technology integration, competitive robotics teams, extensive arts programs including theater and music, and championship athletic teams. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and consistently places graduates in top high school programs throughout Northern California.

2500 Old Gravel Road, Sacramento, CA 95833, Capay, California CA 95833
Grades: K-12
Founded 1999

Programs:

Advanced academicsSTEM focusCollege preparatory+1 more

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about private schools in Capay, California

What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Capay, California?

Capay is a small, rural community, so local private school options within the immediate town are limited. However, families in the Capay area typically look to nearby communities in Yolo and Colusa Counties. Notable schools serving the region include St. John's Academy (a Catholic K-8 school in nearby Woodland), The Phoenix School (a progressive K-8 in Esparto), and Stratford Preparatory School (a college-prep middle and high school in Marysville). Many Capay families also consider private schools in the larger cities of Davis or Chico, which involve a longer commute. Transportation is a key logistical consideration for Capay residents.

How does tuition for private schools in the Capay, CA, region compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options?

Tuition for private schools serving the Capay area is generally below the high averages seen in major California metropolitan areas but is a significant consideration for local family budgets. For the 2024-25 school year, K-8 tuition at schools like St. John's Academy or The Phoenix School typically ranges from $6,000 to $10,000 annually. Stratford Preparatory School, as a college-prep secondary school, may charge between $12,000 and $16,000. Most schools offer need-based financial aid, and California residents should explore the California Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which can provide scholarships for students attending private schools. Sibling discounts are also commonly available.

What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Capay, California, offer that leverage the local environment?

Private schools in the Capay region often integrate the area's agricultural and natural resources into their curricula. The Phoenix School, for example, emphasizes environmental science and hands-on learning, potentially utilizing local farms for agricultural education. St. John's Academy incorporates community service projects within Yolo County. Stratford Preparatory School's college-prep focus includes strong STEM programs. Furthermore, the rural setting allows schools to offer unique extracurriculars like equestrian programs, agricultural robotics (through 4-H partnerships), and outdoor education trips to nearby sites like the Capay Valley or Cache Creek, which are less accessible to urban schools.

What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Capay, California, families?

The enrollment process for private schools in this region often begins in the winter for the following fall semester. Key dates are: Open Houses (January-February), application deadlines (typically February-March), and notification/rollout (March-April). Due to the limited number of seats in these smaller schools, early inquiry is strongly advised. The process usually includes a submitted application, school records, teacher recommendations, and a family/student interview. For Capay residents, schools may ask about your commute plan. Some schools, like St. John's Academy, give priority to parish members or siblings of current students, so it's important to check each school's specific priority criteria.

For a Capay, CA, resident, what are the main considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school?

The core decision for Capay families often balances community, curriculum, and commute. Capay is part of the Esparto Unified School District, a small rural district. Choosing a private school like those in Woodland or Esparto may offer smaller class sizes, specialized religious or pedagogical instruction (e.g., Montessori or progressive models at The Phoenix School), or a focused college-prep track at Stratford. However, this choice necessitates a daily commute of 20-45 minutes each way, which impacts family logistics and extracurricular participation. The public district provides transportation and a true neighborhood school experience. The decision frequently hinges on whether the specific educational approach and community of a private school justify the tuition cost and travel time from Capay.

Private Education Insights

Discover Top-Rated Small Private Schools Near Capay, CA | A Parent's Guide

For families in Capay, the search for the right educational environment often leads to a meaningful question: what are the benefits of small private schools near me? Nestled in the serene, agricultural landscape of the Capay Valley, the choice for a more intimate, focused learning community can feel particularly aligned with the values of close-knit living and personalized attention. Unlike the sprawling campuses found in larger metropolitan areas, the small private schools serving our community, such as St. John’s Academy, The Phoenix School, and Stratford Preparatory School, offer a distinct educational model centered on deep relationships and tailored academic journeys.

The local context here in Capay is unique. Many families are drawn to the area for its connection to nature, its agricultural roots, and a sense of community that values each individual. This ethos translates powerfully into the classroom environments of our area’s small private schools. With typically smaller class sizes, teachers have the opportunity to know every student not just as a learner, but as a whole person. This means instruction can be adapted to a child’s specific learning style, whether they need additional challenges or more supportive scaffolding. A student struggling with a math concept won’t get lost in the shuffle, and a child passionate about the environmental sciences abundant in our valley can have projects nurtured in real-time.

When researching small private schools near me in Capay, parents will discover that each institution carves its own niche while sharing the core advantage of scale. St. John’s Academy offers a structured, values-based education that many families seek for its consistent framework. The Phoenix School often emphasizes progressive, project-based learning that encourages creativity and independent thinking. Stratford Preparatory School focuses on a rigorous academic curriculum designed to prepare students for competitive higher education. The key is that at each, your child is a name, not a number. This facilitates not only academic growth but also strong social-emotional development, as students learn to collaborate, communicate, and lead within a supportive and known community.

Practical considerations for Capay families often include commute and community integration. The benefit of a small school locally is that it often becomes an extension of your family network. Carpooling becomes simpler, involvement in school events is more accessible, and your family’s values are more likely to be reflected and reinforced in the school’s culture. It’s advisable to visit, to sit in on a class, and to ask questions about how the school leverages its size to create unique opportunities—perhaps through partnerships with local farms for science programs or community service projects in nearby towns like Esparto or Guinda.

Ultimately, the search for small private schools near me in Capay, California, is about finding a learning environment that mirrors the community you’ve chosen to call home. It’s an investment in an education where your child is seen, known, and challenged to grow at their own pace, surrounded by both the rolling hills of the valley and a dedicated circle of educators and peers. Taking the time to explore these intimate academic settings can lead to a profoundly rewarding educational partnership for years to come.

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