The Best Private Schools in Mountain View, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Mountain View. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Francis High School
Catholic Diocese of San Jose
St. Francis High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school known for its rigorous academic program and strong community values. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with 24 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with a robust athletics program featuring 23 CIF sports and numerous extracurricular activities including robotics, debate, and community service programs.
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Challenger School - Ardis
Challenger School
Challenger School in Mountain View provides a structured, back-to-basics education focused on developing independent thinking and academic excellence. The school's unique curriculum emphasizes phonics-based reading instruction, advanced mathematics, and logic development from preschool through middle school. Students consistently score in the top percentiles on standardized tests. The school features well-equipped classrooms, dedicated science labs, and outdoor play areas. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's consistent academic results and focus on developing critical thinking skills in a supportive environment.
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Stratford School - Mountain View
Stratford School
Stratford School in Mountain View offers an accelerated academic program with a strong focus on STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). The school provides a balanced curriculum that challenges students while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Features include specialized science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and dedicated art and music spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention. Extracurricular offerings include robotics, coding, music, and various sports programs, creating a well-rounded educational experience for elementary students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Mountain View, California
What are the main types of private schools available in Mountain View, CA, and how do they differ?
Mountain View offers a diverse range of private schools catering to different educational philosophies. You'll find college-preparatory Catholic schools like St. Francis High School (co-ed, 9-12), which emphasizes a holistic education with strong athletics and arts. There are also proprietary schools like the Challenger School - Ardis (preschool-5th grade) and Stratford School - Mountain View (preschool-5th), which focus on rigorous academic fundamentals, phonics-based reading, and logic in a structured environment. Additionally, the area is home to independent, project-based, and Montessori schools. This variety allows parents to choose based on pedagogical alignment, from highly structured academic tracks to more student-led exploratory models.
How does the tuition for private schools in Mountain View, CA, compare to the broader Bay Area, and what financial aid options are typical?
While still significant, tuition in Mountain View can be slightly more accessible than in neighboring cities like Palo Alto or Los Altos, but it remains firmly within the high-cost Bay Area range. For the 2024-2025 academic year, elementary schools like Stratford or Challenger often have tuition ranging from $25,000 to $35,000 annually. St. Francis High School tuition is approximately $26,000-$28,000. Most established schools in Mountain View offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need, and many participate in the BASIC Fund, a California-specific scholarship program for lower-income families. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as funds are limited and the process is separate from admissions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in Mountain View that leverage the local Silicon Valley environment?
Mountain View private schools deeply integrate STEM and innovation into their curricula, capitalizing on the city's position in Silicon Valley. Stratford and Challenger schools introduce coding, robotics, and scientific reasoning as early as elementary school. St. Francis High School offers extensive computer science pathways, engineering courses, and partnerships with local tech companies for mentorship and internships. Many schools also emphasize entrepreneurship, with programs in design thinking and project-based learning that solve real-world problems. This tech-forward focus is balanced with strong arts and humanities programs, ensuring a well-rounded education that reflects the innovative spirit of the region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in Mountain View, CA?
The timeline for Mountain View private schools is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Stratford and Challenger, the application process for the following academic year typically opens in August or September, with deadlines for priority consideration between January and February. This often includes a parent interview, student assessment/visit, and submission of records. St. Francis High School follows a similar timeline, with entrance exams (HSPT) held in the fall. Notification dates are usually in March, with contracts due shortly after. Due to high demand, especially for entry-grade levels (preschool, kindergarten, and 9th grade), starting the process 12-18 months in advance is strongly advised. Many schools also host open houses in the fall.
For families considering both options, what are the key differences between the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District (public) and a private high school like St. Francis in Mountain View?
The primary public high school for Mountain View residents is Mountain View High School (MVHS), part of the highly-rated Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District. Key differences include class size (public schools are larger), curricular flexibility, and specific programs. St. Francis offers a defined, college-prep curriculum with a required theology component and a strong communal identity. MVHS provides a broader range of elective choices, including extensive AP courses, and may have more diverse student demographics. Private schools often have more resources for individualized attention and consistent extracurricular access, while public schools offer the full spectrum of a large, comprehensive campus. The choice often hinges on a family's preference for a specific educational environment, religious affiliation, and the value placed on smaller, consistent cohort models versus the scale and diversity of a top public school.
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