The Best Private Schools in Glen Ellen, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Glen Ellen. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Dunham School
Independent
The Dunham School offers a classical Christian education serving families throughout Sonoma County, including Glen Ellen. The school emphasizes rigorous academics through the classical trivium model, integrating faith and learning across all subjects. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes Latin, logic, rhetoric, and robust STEM programs. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. Extracurricular offerings include competitive sports, music ensembles, drama productions, and community service opportunities.
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Sonoma Country Day School
Independent
Sonoma Country Day School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from Glen Ellen and throughout Sonoma County. The school offers a progressive, project-based curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development. Academic programs include comprehensive STEAM education, Spanish language immersion starting in kindergarten, and extensive arts integration. The 30-acre campus features state-of-the-art classrooms, science laboratories, performing arts center, athletic fields, and outdoor learning spaces. The school maintains small student-teacher ratios and has a strong track record of preparing students for competitive secondary schools.
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Justin-Siena High School
Lasallian Catholic
Justin-Siena High School is a Lasallian Catholic college preparatory school that serves students from Glen Ellen and throughout the North Bay region. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with over 20 Advanced Placement courses, extensive visual and performing arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The 40-acre campus features modern academic buildings, science and technology labs, performing arts center, athletic complex, and chapel. Justin-Siena emphasizes character formation, community service, and academic excellence, with nearly 100% of graduates attending four-year colleges and universities. The school provides transportation options for students from Sonoma County.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Glen Ellen, California
Are there any private schools physically located within Glen Ellen, CA, or do families typically look to neighboring towns?
There are no major private K-12 school campuses physically located within the town of Glen Ellen itself. Families in Glen Ellen typically look to private schools in the broader Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley regions. The schools you'll most commonly consider, like The Dunham School (Sonoma), Sonoma Country Day School (Santa Rosa), and Justin-Siena High School (Napa), are within a 15-30 minute commute. This is an important logistical consideration for Glen Ellen parents, factoring in daily transportation along routes like Highway 12 and Arnold Drive.
What is the range of annual tuition for private schools serving Glen Ellen, CA, families, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for the top private schools accessible to Glen Ellen families varies significantly by grade level and school. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range from approximately $25,000 to $40,000+ annually. Justin-Siena High School (9-12) and Sonoma Country Day School (K-8) are at the higher end of this spectrum, while some smaller parochial or independent schools may be slightly lower. Crucially, all these schools offer robust financial aid and merit scholarship programs based on need and achievement. California does not have a state-funded voucher program, so aid is primarily school-based.
How do the educational philosophies and program specializations of the top private schools near Glen Ellen, CA, differ?
The schools near Glen Ellen offer distinct educational approaches. The Dunham School in Sonoma provides a progressive, project-based learning environment with a strong focus on the arts and outdoor education, leveraging the Sonoma landscape. Sonoma Country Day School in Santa Rosa is known for its rigorous academic curriculum, advanced STEM programs, and emphasis on community leadership. Justin-Siena High School in Napa offers a college-preparatory curriculum within a Lasallian Catholic framework, featuring strong arts, athletics, and service-learning programs. This diversity allows Glen Ellen parents to choose based on pedagogical alignment with their child's needs.
What are the key enrollment timelines and application steps for private schools in the Glen Ellen, CA, area?
The enrollment process for competitive private schools in the Sonoma/Napa region is highly time-sensitive. The primary application season runs from September to January for admission the following fall. Key steps include: attending fall open houses (often virtual and in-person), submitting applications by January deadlines, scheduling student assessments and interviews in January/February, and receiving decisions in March. Given the limited seats and high demand, especially at the kindergarten and 9th-grade entry points, Glen Ellen families are advised to begin research and tours at least 12-18 months in advance.
For a family in Glen Ellen, what are the unique benefits of a local private school versus the public school options?
Glen Ellen is served by the Dunham School District (Dunham Elementary) and Adele Harrison Middle School, which feed into Sonoma Valley High School. The primary benefits of a local private school often include smaller class sizes, specialized academic or arts programs not available in the smaller public districts, and a different community environment. For families in rural Glen Ellen, a private school can provide a consistent peer cohort from a wider geographic area. However, the trade-off is significant tuition cost versus the no-cost public option and the daily commute to schools outside the immediate town. The decision often hinges on a family's specific educational priorities and logistical capacity.
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