The Best Private Schools in Los Alamitos, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Los Alamitos. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Hedwig Catholic School
Diocese of Orange Catholic Schools
St. Hedwig Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the Los Alamitos community since 1960. The school offers a comprehensive education from transitional kindergarten through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, science programs, and extensive arts education. The school features modern classrooms, a dedicated science lab, and extensive athletic facilities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and strong community involvement.
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St. John Bosco High School
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
St. John Bosco High School is an all-boys Catholic college preparatory school that serves students throughout Los Alamitos and the greater Long Beach area. Founded by the Salesians of Don Bosco, the school offers a rigorous academic program with notable strengths in STEM education, including advanced placement courses and specialized academies. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. The school is particularly renowned for its championship athletic programs and comprehensive college counseling, with graduates consistently attending top universities nationwide.
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St. Joseph High School
Diocese of Orange
St. Joseph High School is a co-educational Catholic college preparatory school that serves the Los Alamitos community and surrounding areas. The school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, providing students with multiple pathways to academic excellence. The campus features modern STEM labs, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. Known for its strong community spirit and academic rigor, St. Joseph prepares students for success in college and beyond through a balanced approach that emphasizes intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Los Alamitos, California
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Los Alamitos, California, and what are their educational models?
While Los Alamitos itself is a smaller city, families have access to several highly-regarded private schools in the immediate area, most with a religious affiliation. The top options include St. Hedwig Catholic School (co-ed, TK-8), St. John Bosco High School (all-boys, 9-12 in Bellflower), and St. Joseph High School (all-girls, 9-12 in Lakewood). These schools offer a college-preparatory curriculum grounded in Catholic values. For families seeking non-religious options, they typically look to neighboring cities like Cypress, Long Beach, or Orange County, which offer independent preparatory schools. The concentration of single-gender high schools is a notable feature of the local private education landscape.
How does tuition for private schools in the Los Alamitos, CA area compare to statewide averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the primary private schools serving Los Alamitos families is generally in line with or slightly below the high-cost averages for California's major metropolitan areas. For the 2023-2024 school year, St. Hedwig Catholic School (K-8) tuition is approximately $7,000-$8,000, while St. Joseph and St. John Bosco High Schools are in the $12,000-$14,000 range. All these schools offer need-based financial aid and active tuition assistance programs (TAP) funded by parish and diocesan support. Additionally, California's SB 98 legislation allows for tax-credit scholarships through organizations like the Catholic Education Foundation, which can significantly reduce costs for qualifying families.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private high schools serving Los Alamitos students, like St. John Bosco and St. Joseph?
The private high schools in the Los Alamitos orbit are known for robust specialized programs. St. John Bosco High School features a renowned Engineering and Technology Academy, a highly competitive athletics program (especially football), and extensive STEM pathways. St. Joseph High School offers distinguished programs in STEM, Visual and Performing Arts, and a comprehensive Biomedical Science pathway. Both schools provide extensive Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings, college counseling, and signature campus ministry/service programs. Their locations in larger cities (Bellflower and Lakewood) provide access to broader internship and partnership opportunities than a smaller city might offer alone.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like St. Hedwig Catholic School for Los Alamitos residents?
The enrollment process for Los Alamitos-area Catholic schools typically begins a full year in advance. For St. Hedwig Catholic School (TK-8), applications for the following academic year usually open in September/October, with priority given to parishioners of St. Hedwig Church and siblings of current students. The process includes submitting an application, school records, teacher recommendations, and often a student assessment or shadow day. High schools like St. Joseph and St. John Bosco have similar early timelines, with application deadlines often in December or January for 9th-grade entry. It's crucial for Los Alamitos parents to plan ahead, as these schools draw from a wide regional pool and spaces can be competitive.
How do the academic environments and outcomes of private schools serving Los Alamitos compare to the highly-rated Los Alamitos Unified School District (LAUSD) public schools?
This is a key consideration for Los Alamitos families, as LAUSD public schools are consistently ranked among the top in California. The choice often comes down to educational philosophy and environment rather than academic quality alone. LAUSD offers exceptional, tuition-free education with high test scores and college acceptance rates. The local private schools provide a values-based education with smaller class sizes, a specific religious foundation, and often a more structured environment. The private high schools boast near-100% college matriculation rates, with many students attending selective Catholic and private universities. For some families, the single-gender model of the local Catholic high schools is a decisive factor. The decision frequently hinges on whether a family prioritizes the community-oriented, comprehensive public system or the mission-driven, faith-based private alternative.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Private Elementary Schools in Los Alamitos, CA
For parents in Los Alamitos beginning the important search for “private elementary schools near me,” you are embarking on a journey that balances academic excellence with the unique character of our community. Nestled in northwest Orange County, Los Alamitos offers a blend of suburban comfort and close-knit neighborhoods, making the choice of an elementary school a foundational decision for your family’s daily life and your child’s future. The search is deeply personal, extending beyond a simple list to finding an environment that aligns with your values and educational aspirations.
While our city is home to exceptional secondary institutions like St. John Bosco and St. Joseph High Schools, the landscape for private elementary education often leads families to explore the immediate area and neighboring cities. A cornerstone option within our own community is St. Hedwig Catholic School, providing a faith-based, TK-8 education that has served local families for generations. Its presence offers continuity, allowing children to build long-term friendships within a familiar setting, a significant advantage in a tight-knit town like Los Alamitos. However, the quest for “private elementary schools near me” naturally expands to include the rich offerings in surrounding areas such as Los Alamitos Unified School District, Cypress, Seal Beach, and Long Beach, which are all within a very manageable commute.
This regional search requires a local parent’s perspective. Consider your daily rhythm: traffic on Katella Avenue or the 605 freeway during drop-off times is a practical reality. Many families find that schools in adjacent communities are often just a 10-15 minute drive, making a broader geographic net highly feasible. When evaluating options, Los Alamitos parents often prioritize schools that complement our community’s emphasis on safety, strong parent involvement, and well-rounded development. Look for institutions that offer robust arts or STEM programs, character education, and smaller class sizes—features that define the private school advantage.
Your research should involve more than websites; it demands firsthand experience. Schedule tours, observe classrooms in session, and speak directly with administrators and teachers. Ask specific questions about how the school fosters a sense of belonging and how it supports students transitioning into the esteemed local high schools you’re already aware of. Attend a school event or community fair if possible; the atmosphere will tell you a great deal. For Los Alamitos families, finding the right private elementary school is about creating a partnership—a second home for your child that supports their growth while keeping your family connected to the community you love. The perfect fit is out there, offering a nurturing launchpad for the incredible journey ahead.
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