The Best Private Schools in Morgan Hill, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Morgan Hill. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Harker School - Lower School
The Harker School
The Harker School is one of the Bay Area's most prestigious private schools, with its Lower School campus located in nearby San Jose serving families throughout the South Bay region including Morgan Hill. Harker offers an exceptionally rigorous academic program with outstanding facilities including state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school consistently ranks among the top private schools nationally for academic achievement, with graduates attending elite universities. While located in San Jose, Harker actively serves and transports students from Morgan Hill and surrounding communities.
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St. Catherine School
Diocese of San Jose Catholic Schools
St. Catherine School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving Morgan Hill for over six decades. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Features include modern STEM labs, comprehensive arts programs, competitive sports teams, and small class sizes. The school maintains high parent satisfaction with its nurturing environment and rigorous academic standards that prepare students for top high schools in the region.
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Oakwood School
Oakwood School
Oakwood School is a distinguished independent private school serving Morgan Hill with a progressive, project-based educational approach. Serving students from preschool through 8th grade, the school emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and creative expression. The campus features extensive outdoor learning spaces, art studios, science labs, and technology-integrated classrooms. Oakwood is known for its strong community atmosphere, individualized attention, and commitment to developing well-rounded students with excellent preparation for high school and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Morgan Hill, California
What are the main private school options available within Morgan Hill, CA, and what are their educational approaches?
Morgan Hill offers a few core private school options, each with distinct philosophies. **St. Catherine School** is a Catholic, TK-8 school providing a faith-based education with a traditional academic structure. **Oakwood School** is a private, non-sectarian school serving grades K-8, known for its project-based learning, small class sizes, and emphasis on social-emotional development. **The Harker School - Lower School** campus in Morgan Hill is part of the prestigious Harker network, offering a rigorous, college-preparatory program for grades K-5 before students transition to their San Jose campuses. For high school, families typically look at schools in nearby San Jose, Gilroy, or boarding options.
How does tuition for private schools in Morgan Hill, CA, compare to the broader Bay Area, and what financial aid is typically available?
While still significant, tuition in Morgan Hill is generally lower than in the core Silicon Valley cities like Palo Alto or San Jose. For the 2024-25 school year, expect a range of approximately $15,000 to $35,000 annually, with Oakwood and St. Catherine on the lower end and Harker at the higher end. All major schools offer need-based financial aid, and California's tax-advantaged **529 plans** can be used for K-12 private tuition. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as funds are limited. Some schools also offer sibling discounts and flexible payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Morgan Hill private schools offer that leverage the local environment?
Morgan Hill's location near agricultural lands and natural spaces influences its programs. Oakwood School often incorporates environmental science and sustainability into its project-based curriculum, utilizing local gardens and parks. St. Catherine School emphasizes community service within Morgan Hill, partnering with local charities. The Harker Lower School, while part of a larger network, provides a robust foundation in STEM and world languages (like Mandarin and Spanish) starting in kindergarten, preparing students for their upper-school labs and global programs. Outdoor education and field trips to nearby coastal or historical sites are common across schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Morgan Hill, and how competitive is admission?
The timeline is similar to most Bay Area private schools, beginning in the fall for the following academic year. Key steps include: attending open houses (Sept-Nov), submitting applications by January deadlines, and completing assessments/interviews (Jan-Feb). Decisions are often released in March. **Competitiveness varies**: The Harker Lower School is highly selective with a comprehensive assessment process. Oakwood and St. Catherine also have selective admissions but prioritize mission fit and creating a balanced classroom community. Siblings and parishioners (for St. Catherine) often receive priority. Starting the process early is highly recommended.
For families considering both, what are the key differences between Morgan Hill Unified public schools and local private school options?
The primary differences involve class size, specialized programs, and educational approach. Morgan Hill Unified School District (MHUSD) offers strong public options, but private schools provide much smaller class sizes (often 15-20 vs. 25-30+), more individualized attention, and distinct pedagogical models (like Oakwood's project-based learning). Private schools often have more robust arts, language, and technology integration from an early age without reliance on local funding measures. Conversely, MHUSD provides diverse extracurriculars at the comprehensive high school level, no tuition, and a broader peer demographic. The choice often hinges on a family's priority for a specific educational philosophy and resources.
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