The Best Private Schools in Gilroy, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Gilroy. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Catherine School
Diocese of San Jose Catholic Schools
St. Catherine School is a highly-rated Catholic private school serving Gilroy and Morgan Hill families. Established in 1959, the school provides a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on faith-based learning and academic excellence. The school features modern STEM labs, comprehensive arts programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. Parents consistently praise the dedicated teachers, strong community atmosphere, and well-rounded education that prepares students for high school success. The campus includes updated facilities with technology integration throughout all grade levels.
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Archbishop Mitty High School
Diocese of San Jose Catholic Schools
Archbishop Mitty High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school that serves Gilroy students alongside the broader South Bay area. Founded in 1964, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 28 Advanced Placement courses and specialized academies in STEM, arts, and global studies. The 24-acre campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. With a 100% college acceptance rate and numerous merit scholarship recipients annually, Mitty provides exceptional preparation for higher education. The school maintains transportation options for Gilroy-area families.
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Oakwood School
Independent Private School
Oakwood School is an independent private school serving Gilroy and South Santa Clara County since 1976. The school offers a progressive, project-based education for students from preschool through 8th grade. Oakwood's curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and social-emotional development within small class sizes. The campus features outdoor classrooms, art studios, and science labs designed to support experiential learning. Parents consistently highlight the school's nurturing environment, individualized attention, and strong sense of community. The school's graduates typically gain admission to top private high schools throughout the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Gilroy, California
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Gilroy, California, and do they cover all grade levels?
Gilroy itself has a limited number of private schools, with St. Catherine School being a prominent local option offering a Catholic education from Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. For high school, many Gilroy families look to neighboring communities. Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose (about a 30-minute drive) is a highly-regarded Catholic college-preparatory school serving grades 9-12. Additionally, Oakwood School in Morgan Hill (approximately 15-20 minutes away) offers a progressive, project-based K-12 education. Therefore, while elementary and middle school options are local, accessing a private high school typically involves commuting within Santa Clara County.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Gilroy, CA, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are commonly available?
Tuition in the Gilroy area varies significantly. Local St. Catherine School's tuition is generally below the state average for private elementary schools, often ranging in the $8,000-$12,000 per year range. In contrast, regional schools like Archbishop Mitty High School and Oakwood School have tuitions that align with or exceed the California average for private high schools, often between $25,000 and $35,000 annually. Most schools offer need-based financial aid, and many Catholic schools participate in the BASIC Fund, a California-specific scholarship program for lower-income families. Additionally, California's tax-advantaged 529 plans can be used for K-12 private school tuition up to $10,000 per year per beneficiary.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Gilroy students that leverage the local environment?
Schools serving Gilroy families often incorporate the region's agricultural and technological identity into their programs. St. Catherine School may have garden-based learning tied to Gilroy's "Garlic Capital" heritage. Archbishop Mitty High School offers robust STEM pathways and partnerships with Silicon Valley tech firms, relevant for parents working in the tech sector who live in Gilroy. Oakwood School in Morgan Hill emphasizes environmental science and sustainability, potentially utilizing nearby natural spaces like Henry W. Coe State Park for experiential learning. These programs provide a context-rich education that connects classroom learning to the broader Santa Clara County and Central Coast community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in and around Gilroy, California?
The timeline is critical and requires early planning. For schools like Archbishop Mitty and Oakwood, the application process for the following academic year typically opens in August or September, with deadlines for applications and financial aid requests falling between December and January. Entrance exams or assessments are usually held in January. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are communicated in March. St. Catherine School may have a more rolling admissions process but still encourages applications by early spring. Given the competitive nature of regional schools and limited seats, Gilroy parents are advised to begin attending open houses in the fall, sometimes a full year before desired enrollment.
For a family living in Gilroy, what are the key considerations when deciding between a local public school and a private school, especially regarding commute and community?
The decision heavily involves logistics and educational philosophy. Gilroy Unified School District offers neighborhood schools with no tuition. Choosing a local private school like St. Catherine provides a faith-based community with a shorter commute. Opting for a prestigious high school like Archbishop Mitty, however, means a significant daily commute (up to an hour round-trip) on Highway 101, impacting family time and extracurricular participation. The private school choice often involves seeking a specific religious foundation, smaller class sizes, or a particular pedagogical approach (like Oakwood's project-based model) that may not be available in the public system. Parents must weigh the financial cost, commute time, and alignment with family values against the convenience and cost-free nature of the local public schools.
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