The Best Private Schools in Covina, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Covina. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Damien High School
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Damien High School is a highly-regarded Catholic, all-boys college preparatory school serving Covina and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities including championship athletic teams. The 17-acre campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complex. Known for its strong community values and excellent college acceptance rates to top universities.
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St. Lucy's Priory High School
Benedictine Sisters
St. Lucy's Priory High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for young women serving Covina and the eastern San Gabriel Valley. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a supportive, values-based environment. The curriculum includes comprehensive honors and AP courses, strong visual and performing arts programs, and extensive leadership development opportunities. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school maintains a strong track record of college acceptance and student success.
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Heritage Oak Private Education
Heritage Oak School
Heritage Oak Private Education provides a comprehensive educational program serving families throughout the region, including Covina area residents seeking quality private education. The school offers a challenging academic curriculum with emphasis on advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, and technology integration. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, computer labs, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes and individualized attention, with a strong focus on character development and preparing students for competitive high school programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Covina, California
What are the main types of private schools available in Covina, California, and how do they differ?
Covina, CA, offers a distinct mix of private school options catering to different educational philosophies and needs. The area is notably served by prestigious single-gender Catholic college-preparatory high schools like Damien High School (all-boys) and St. Lucy's Priory High School (all-girls), which offer rigorous academics within a faith-based framework. For co-educational and younger students, institutions like Heritage Oak Private Education provide a secular, academically accelerated program from preschool through 8th grade. Additionally, there are smaller parochial elementary schools and independent academies in and around Covina. This variety allows parents to choose based on curriculum focus, religious affiliation, and school culture specific to the San Gabriel Valley.
How does tuition for private schools in Covina, CA, compare to the broader Los Angeles area, and what financial aid options are typical?
While generally high, tuition for private schools in Covina is often slightly more accessible than at comparable institutions in central Los Angeles or the coastal cities. For the 2024-2025 academic year, high schools like Damien and St. Lucy's have tuition in the range of $12,000 to $16,000 annually. K-8 schools like Heritage Oak may range from $10,000 to $14,000. A significant benefit for California families is the potential eligibility for the California Credit Union School Choice Scholarship, a state tax-credit program that provides scholarships for students switching from public to private school. Additionally, most Covina-area private schools offer need-based financial aid, parish subsidies for affiliated families, and payment plans to help manage costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in Covina that leverage the local Southern California context?
Private schools in Covina leverage their Southern California location to offer specialized programs. Damien High School features a renowned Engineering and Applied Science program with partnerships for internships at local tech firms. St. Lucy's Priory emphasizes leadership and arts, with connections to Claremont Colleges and local cultural institutions. Heritage Oak Private Education incorporates California history and ecology into its project-based learning. Commonly, schools offer robust athletic programs competing in the CIF Southern Section, with access to local facilities. Many also integrate service learning projects within the greater San Gabriel Valley community, from environmental initiatives in the nearby Angeles National Forest to partnerships with organizations in downtown Los Angeles.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools like Damien and St. Lucy's in Covina?
The enrollment process for Covina's top private high schools is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Damien and St. Lucy's, the timeline typically starts in the summer before 8th grade, with open houses held in September and October. Prospective student applications are due between December and January. The process almost always includes a required entrance exam (such as the HSPT), a review of middle school transcripts, teacher recommendations, and a family interview. Admissions decisions are usually released in February or March. It is crucial for Covina-area families to register for the entrance exam well in advance, as testing dates fill quickly. Sibling and legacy applicant considerations are common, but not guaranteed.
For a family living in Covina, what are the key considerations when deciding between a top-rated Covina-Valley Unified public school and a local private school?
The decision hinges on several Covina-specific factors. Academically, Covina-Valley Unified has well-regarded schools like South Hills High, offering a strong curriculum, AP courses, and extracurriculars at no direct cost. Choosing a private school like those in Covina often involves seeking a specific environment: smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 30+ in public), a particular religious or values-based education, or a more consistently accelerated track from elementary through high school. Logistically, private schools may draw from a wider geographic area, potentially increasing commute times but also expanding peer networks across the San Gabriel Valley. Financially, families must weigh the significant tuition investment against the potential need for less supplemental tutoring or enrichment that some public school parents seek. Ultimately, it's a choice between a free, comprehensive public system and a tailored, mission-driven private education with associated costs.
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