The Best Private Schools in Davis, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Davis. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Sacramento Country Day School
Independent School
Sacramento Country Day School is a premier independent school serving the greater Sacramento region, including Davis families. As the only Sacramento-area school offering both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, it provides exceptional college preparatory education. The school features state-of-the-art facilities, including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, students receive personalized attention from highly qualified faculty. The school offers extensive extracurricular programs, competitive athletics, and a strong track record of college admissions to top universities.
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St. James School
Catholic Diocese of Sacramento
St. James School is a long-established Catholic private school providing faith-based education with strong academic foundations. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum including advanced STEAM programs, Spanish language instruction from preschool through 8th grade, and character development integrated throughout all subjects. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, St. James creates a nurturing environment that emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community service. The school features modern facilities and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
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Da Vinci Charter Academy
Davis Joint Unified School District (Charter)
Da Vinci Charter Academy is a highly-regarded public charter school offering a private school-like educational experience with small class sizes and personalized attention. The school emphasizes project-based learning, critical thinking, and college preparation with a strong STEM focus. Students benefit from a rigorous academic curriculum while developing real-world skills through hands-on projects and community partnerships. The school maintains a supportive, inclusive environment with dedicated teachers and strong parent involvement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Davis, California
What are the main types of private school options available to families in Davis, California?
Davis offers a limited but distinct range of private school options. Within the city, you'll find charter schools like Da Vinci Charter Academy, which is a public charter but operates with an independent, project-based learning model often sought by private school families. For traditional private education, St. James School provides a Catholic, K-8 education. Many Davis families also look to nearby Sacramento, where institutions like Sacramento Country Day School (a PreK-12 independent school) offer rigorous college-preparatory programs. The Davis landscape is characterized by smaller, mission-driven schools rather than a large number of expansive private campuses.
How does the tuition for private schools in and around Davis, CA, compare to the state average, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition in the Davis area varies significantly. A local K-8 parochial school like St. James may have tuition in the range of $8,000-$12,000 annually. In contrast, a top-tier independent day school in nearby Sacramento, like Sacramento Country Day School, can have tuition exceeding $30,000 for upper grades. While these figures are generally in line with or slightly below California's coastal urban centers, they are still substantial. Most established private schools, including those serving Davis families, offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. California also has programs like the California Credit Union's School Loan and various scholarship funds for private education that local families can explore.
What unique academic or specialized programs do private schools serving Davis students emphasize?
Private schools accessible to Davis families often leverage their independence to offer specialized curricula not always available in the public system. Da Vinci Charter Academy is renowned for its hands-on, interdisciplinary Da Vinci Project and design-thinking approach. St. James School integrates faith-based education with a strong core curriculum and character development. Sacramento Country Day School offers advanced STEM programs, extensive arts, and world languages starting in lower school. A common thread is smaller class sizes and a focus on personalized learning, which aligns with Davis's overall community values of innovation and individual attention.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Davis, CA?
The process is school-specific but generally follows a California private school calendar. For schools like St. James and Sacramento Country Day, the main application cycle runs from fall (September-December) for admission the following academic year, with deadlines often in January or February. Key steps include submitting an application, school records, teacher recommendations, and often a student visit or assessment. Da Vinci Charter Academy, as a public charter, holds an annual lottery for any open spaces, typically in the spring, with a mandated public enrollment period. Given the competitive nature and limited seats, especially for entry grades, starting the process early in the fall is highly recommended for Davis parents.
How do the educational environments of Davis private schools compare to the highly-rated Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) public schools?
This is a central consideration for Davis families. DJUSD is consistently ranked among the top public school districts in California, offering excellent academic programs. The choice for private schools often comes down to specific educational philosophies and environments. Private and charter options typically offer smaller, more intimate school communities (Da Vinci has about 500 students total, St. James is under 200), alternative pedagogical approaches (like project-based learning at Da Vinci), or a values-based framework (like at St. James). They may also provide more flexibility in curriculum pacing. For some families, the private option is about a distinct mission fit rather than a departure from academic quality, as both sectors in Davis are strong. The decision frequently involves weighing the unique offerings of a private school against the cost, given the high quality of the free public alternative.
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