The Best Private Schools in North Highlands, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in North Highlands. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Jesuit High School
Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Jesuit High School is a nationally recognized Catholic college preparatory school for young men, serving the North Highlands area from its Carmichael campus. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with 26 AP courses, specialized programs in engineering and business, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. Jesuit maintains a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and features a 98% college acceptance rate to four-year institutions. The 33-acre campus includes modern science and technology labs, performing arts facilities, and comprehensive athletic complexes. The school's signature "Graduate at Graduation" program focuses on developing students intellectually, spiritually, and socially.
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St. Francis High School
Catholic Diocese of Sacramento
St. Francis High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school for young women, located just 15 minutes from North Highlands. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM opportunities, and comprehensive arts programs. With a 100% college acceptance rate, St. Francis provides personalized college counseling and maintains small class sizes averaging 18 students. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes leadership development and community service, with students completing over 25,000 service hours annually.
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Sacramento Country Day School
Independent School
Sacramento Country Day School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory school serving students from preschool through 12th grade, with many families commuting from North Highlands. As Sacramento's only International Baccalaureate World School, it offers the prestigious IB Diploma Program alongside advanced STEM curriculum and extensive arts programs. The school features small class sizes with a 8:1 student-teacher ratio and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. The campus includes modern science laboratories, dedicated arts studios, technology-integrated classrooms, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes global citizenship and personalized learning pathways for each student.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in North Highlands, California
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in North Highlands, CA, and are they located within the community itself?
While North Highlands itself has a limited number of standalone private campuses, families in this Sacramento County community typically look to nearby areas for premier private education. The top schools often considered, like Jesuit High School (Carmichael), St. Francis High School (Sacramento), and Sacramento Country Day School (Sacramento), are located a short commute away. This means North Highlands parents have access to a robust regional private school market, including single-sex Catholic, independent college-prep, and progressive K-12 institutions, but should factor in transportation to cities like Sacramento and Carmichael.
How does the tuition for private high schools like Jesuit or St. Francis near North Highlands, CA, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typical?
Tuition at leading Sacramento-area private high schools is significant, often ranging from approximately $20,000 to $25,000+ per year, which is above the California private school average. However, these institutions typically offer substantial financial aid and merit scholarship programs. For example, both Jesuit and St. Francis have robust need-based aid packages funded by endowments and donor contributions. California residents should also investigate the state's tax-advantaged **ScholarShare 529 plan** for education savings and note that some schools participate in variable tuition models to make costs more accessible for middle-income North Highlands families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the North Highlands, CA, area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the greater Sacramento area provide specialized programs that may not be as readily available in North Highlands public districts. For instance, Jesuit High School offers a renowned Engineering and Design Institute, while St. Francis High School has extensive partnerships with UC Davis for STEM research. Sacramento Country Day School emphasizes global citizenship with advanced language immersion and international trips. These schools also typically feature smaller class sizes, more intensive college counseling, and distinctive arts or athletics facilities, providing a tailored educational environment that draws families from across the region, including North Highlands.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Sacramento Country Day School for a family from North Highlands, CA?
The enrollment process for top-tier private schools in the Sacramento region is highly structured and begins early. For a fall start, the timeline typically opens in August/September with open houses. Application deadlines are often in January, with required components including student assessments (ISEE or SSAT), interviews, teacher recommendations, and school records. Admissions decisions are usually released in March. It is crucial for North Highlands parents to plan ahead, as waiting lists for coveted spots can be long. Many schools also host "shadow days" where prospective students can visit, which requires scheduling well in advance.
For a family in North Highlands, CA, what are the key considerations when deciding between a local public school and a private school in the Sacramento area?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. North Highlands is served by the Twin Rivers Unified School District, so parents often compare its offerings to private alternatives. Key considerations include: **educational approach** (standardized curriculum vs. independent or faith-based missions), **class size** (often larger in public schools), **specialized programs** (like gifted support or special needs services, which vary), and **cost** (private tuition vs. free public education). Additionally, the **commute** to a private school in Sacramento or Carmichael is a daily logistical factor. Many families value the community and network of a private school, while others prioritize the neighborhood continuity and extracurricular breadth of a well-resourced public high school.
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