The Best Private Schools in Del Rey, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Del Rey. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Independent
Crossroads School is a highly prestigious independent K-12 school known for its innovative approach to education. Located just minutes from Del Rey in Santa Monica, the school emphasizes academic excellence while integrating arts and community service. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. With small class sizes and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Crossroads provides personalized attention and has an exceptional college placement record, with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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St. Bernard High School
Catholic
St. Bernard High School is a Catholic co-educational institution located directly in Playa del Rey, serving the Del Rey community. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with advanced placement courses and specialized academies in STEM and arts. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and a performing arts center. With a strong emphasis on character development and community service, St. Bernard maintains a diverse student body and has a long tradition of academic excellence and athletic achievement.
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Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets
Los Angeles Unified School District (Public Magnet)
While technically a public magnet school, Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets operates with the selectivity and specialized focus of a private institution, serving students from Del Rey and surrounding communities. The school offers rigorous, specialized programs in sciences and medicine with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, advanced research opportunities, and partnerships with local universities and medical centers. The magnet program maintains competitive admissions and provides a private-school level education with exceptional college preparation and career pathway programs in healthcare, engineering, and biological sciences.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Del Rey, California
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Del Rey, California?
While Del Rey itself is a smaller neighborhood, it is part of the larger Westside Los Angeles area, providing access to several prestigious private schools. The most notable nearby institutions include Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica, known for its progressive, arts-integrated curriculum, and St. Bernard High School in Playa del Rey, a Catholic college-preparatory school. Additionally, while not a private school, the highly competitive Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets is a sought-after public magnet option that many Del Rey families consider. For younger grades, there are also several well-regarded private elementary schools in the surrounding communities of Playa Vista, Culver City, and Mar Vista.
How does the tuition for private schools near Del Rey, CA, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typical?
Tuition for private schools in the Del Rey-adjacent area is significantly higher than the California state average for private education, reflecting the Los Angeles market and the prestige of the schools. For the 2023-2024 academic year, high school tuition at schools like Crossroads can exceed $45,000, while St. Bernard High School is typically in the $15,000-$20,000 range. Most of these schools offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. It's crucial for California parents to also investigate the California Tax Credit Scholarship program, which can provide scholarships for students attending private schools, and to apply for financial aid by the early deadlines (often in January) for the following school year.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Del Rey, CA?
Private schools serving the Del Rey community offer distinctive programs that leverage their Southern California location. Crossroads School is renowned for its Street/Stage/Studio program, emphasizing arts education alongside rigorous academics, and its strong community service requirements. St. Bernard High School offers a solid college-prep curriculum with a focus on character formation and several AP courses, along with competitive athletic programs. Many schools in the area also incorporate environmental science and sustainability into their curricula, taking advantage of proximity to the Ballona Wetlands and the tech ecosystem in Playa Vista. Robotics, film production, and marine biology are other popular specializations.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Del Rey, California area?
The admission process for top private schools near Del Rey is highly structured and begins very early. For fall entry, the process typically starts in the summer or early fall of the preceding year. Key steps include attending open houses (often between September and November), submitting applications by January deadlines, and completing student assessments and interviews. For schools like Crossroads, sibling and legacy applicant considerations are important, but spaces are extremely competitive. St. Bernard High School follows a similar timeline but may have rolling admissions for later grades if space permits. Families are strongly advised to plan at least 12-18 months in advance, especially for entry into kindergarten, 6th, or 9th grades.
How do families in Del Rey, CA, typically decide between a private school like Crossroads or St. Bernard and the public magnet option, Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets?
This is a common consideration for Del Rey families. The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, cost, and the student's interests. Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets (WESM) is a tuition-free, highly selective public magnet with a focus on STEM and health sciences, requiring a separate application through the LAUSD magnet program. Private schools offer smaller class sizes, distinct religious or philosophical missions (e.g., Crossroads' progressive ethos, St. Bernard's Catholic identity), and often more extensive arts and extracurricular offerings. The financial commitment is the most significant differentiator. Many families apply to both types of institutions, using the magnet program lottery and private school admissions outcomes to inform their final choice based on fit and feasibility.
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