The Best Private Schools in Millbrae, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Millbrae. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School
Episcopal Diocese of California
St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School serves students from preschool through eighth grade and draws families from Millbrae and surrounding communities. The school features a comprehensive STEAM program, Spanish language instruction starting in kindergarten, and a strong emphasis on character education. The campus includes modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and outdoor learning spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and offers extensive extracurricular activities including robotics, music, and competitive sports.
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Notre Dame High School
Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
Notre Dame High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school for young women located just minutes from Millbrae. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 21 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, a performing arts center, and modern athletic facilities. The school emphasizes leadership development and community service, with students completing over 16,000 hours of service annually. Extracurricular offerings include robotics, mock trial, and numerous athletic teams.
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St. Catherine of Siena School
Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
St. Catherine of Siena School is a Catholic parochial school serving students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade. Located in nearby Burlingame, the school serves many Millbrae families and offers a strong academic foundation with integrated technology throughout the curriculum. The school features dedicated science labs, a library media center, and modern athletic facilities. The comprehensive program includes music, art, physical education, and Spanish language instruction. The school community emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and service to others.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Millbrae, California
What are the primary private school options available within Millbrae, CA, and what grade levels do they serve?
Millbrae offers a few well-regarded private schools, primarily with a religious affiliation. Notre Dame High School is a private, Catholic, college-preparatory school serving grades 9-12. St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School is an independent Episcopal school offering programs from preschool through 8th grade. St. Catherine of Siena School is a Catholic parish school serving students from transitional kindergarten through 8th grade. For families seeking secular or other specialized private options, looking at neighboring communities like Burlingame, San Mateo, or San Francisco expands the choices significantly, though Millbrae's local options provide strong foundational and secondary education.
How does tuition for private schools in Millbrae, CA, compare to the broader San Francisco Bay Area, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for Millbrae's private schools is generally high but can be somewhat more moderate compared to schools in San Francisco or Palo Alto. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $10,000-$18,000 for elementary/middle schools and $25,000+ for high school. All the major schools in Millbrae offer need-based financial aid, and some may have parish subsidies or merit scholarships. California's tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans can also now be used for K-12 private school tuition, up to $10,000 per year per beneficiary, which is a key state-specific financial consideration for families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in Millbrae that leverage the local Bay Area environment?
Millbrae private schools integrate the Bay Area's tech and cultural resources into their programs. Notre Dame High School emphasizes STEM with project-based learning and partnerships with local tech companies. Its location near SFO and major transit hubs also facilitates unique field studies and internship opportunities. St. Matthew's and St. Catherine's both incorporate environmental science and stewardship, using nearby parks, the bay shoreline, and local watersheds as living classrooms. Additionally, the cultural diversity of Millbrae and the Peninsula is often reflected in world language programs, cultural celebrations, and community service projects focused on local needs.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Millbrae, and how competitive is admission?
The enrollment timeline for Millbrae private schools follows the standard Bay Area independent school calendar. Applications for the following fall typically open in August or September, with deadlines between January and February. The process includes school tours, open houses (often in the fall), submission of applications, student assessments/interviews, and teacher recommendations. Admission competitiveness varies; Notre Dame High School, as the only Catholic high school in the immediate area, draws from a wide geographic region and can be selective. The elementary/middle schools also have limited spaces, especially in popular entry grades like TK/Kindergarten and 6th grade, so early inquiry and application are strongly advised.
For families considering both, what are the notable differences between Millbrae's public school district and its private school options?
Millbrae Elementary School District and Millsmont High School District (for high school) are generally well-regarded public systems. The key differences lie in class size, curriculum flexibility, and religious education. Millbrae's private schools offer smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25+ in public) and more individualized attention. They provide a specific value-based education (Catholic or Episcopal) integrated throughout the curriculum, which public schools cannot offer. Academically, private schools like Notre Dame have a mandated college-prep curriculum for all students, while public schools offer more diverse tracks (e.g., vocational, standard). Private schools also often have more extensive arts and language programs at the elementary level. The choice often hinges on a family's priorities for religious education, desired learning environment, and budget, as public schools are tuition-free.
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