The Best Private Schools in Ontario, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ontario. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Webb Schools
The Webb Schools
The Webb Schools is a prestigious independent boarding and day school located in nearby Claremont, serving students throughout the Inland Empire including Ontario. Founded in 1922, Webb offers a rigorous college preparatory education with exceptional academic programs. The school features a 70-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities including modern science laboratories, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. Known for its honor code and character education, Webb provides a comprehensive educational experience with small class sizes, advanced placement courses, and unique programs like the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology. The school maintains a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and has a strong track record of college placements at top universities.
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St. Lucy's Priory High School
St. Lucy's Priory High School
St. Lucy's Priory High School is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Ontario and throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Founded by the Benedictine Sisters in 1962, the school combines rigorous academics with character formation rooted in Benedictine values. The curriculum includes honors and Advanced Placement courses across all disciplines, with particular strengths in science, mathematics, and the arts. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, a performing arts center, and athletic facilities. St. Lucy's emphasizes leadership development and community service, with a strong track record of graduates attending competitive colleges and universities. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities.
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Damien High School
Damien High School
Damien High School is an all-boys Catholic college preparatory school that serves students from Ontario and the surrounding Inland Empire region. Founded in 1966 by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Damien provides a comprehensive education grounded in Catholic traditions and values. The school offers a robust curriculum including 23 Advanced Placement courses, a specialized STEM academy, and strong programs in business and the arts. The 22-acre campus features modern academic facilities, extensive athletic complexes, and dedicated spaces for technology and the arts. Damien emphasizes character development, leadership, and service while maintaining strong academic outcomes with graduates regularly attending top universities. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and competitive sports programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ontario, California
What are the main types of private schools available in Ontario, California, and how do they differ?
Ontario, CA, offers a diverse range of private school options, primarily including independent college-preparatory schools, single-sex Catholic schools, and co-ed Catholic institutions. The Webb Schools in nearby Claremont (a short commute from Ontario) is a prestigious independent boarding and day school known for its rigorous academics and museums. Within Ontario proper, St. Lucy's Priory High School is an all-girls Catholic school with a strong liberal arts focus, while Damien High School is an all-boys Catholic school. These schools differ in educational philosophy, single-gender vs. co-ed environments (for the Catholic schools), and campus culture. Many families in the Inland Empire also consider private schools in neighboring Claremont and Upland.
How does tuition for private high schools in Ontario, CA, typically compare, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition in the Ontario area varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Damien and St. Lucy's have tuitions typically ranging from $12,000 to $16,000 annually. The Webb Schools, as a top-tier independent boarding school, has a substantially higher tuition, often exceeding $50,000 for boarding students and around $45,000 for day students. Importantly, all these schools offer need-based financial aid, and many have parish subsidy programs for active Catholic families. California does not have a statewide voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, so aid is primarily school-based. It's crucial to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admission.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Ontario area that leverage local resources?
Private schools in and near Ontario leverage Southern California's resources for unique programs. The Webb Schools are renowned for the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, the only accredited museum on a secondary school campus in the nation, offering unparalleled research opportunities in paleontology. Damien High School has a strong engineering and robotics program, often competing regionally. St. Lucy's Priory emphasizes leadership and arts, with connections to local cultural institutions. Proximity to the Ontario International Airport, major logistics companies, and Claremont Colleges also facilitates internship and dual-enrollment opportunities for older students in fields like business and aviation.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools in Ontario, California?
The enrollment process for Ontario-area private schools like Damien, St. Lucy's, and The Webb Schools is highly structured and begins early. The key timeline is: Admissions applications open in August/September for the following fall. Entrance exams (such as the HSPT or ISEE) are usually taken between October and January. Application deadlines are typically in mid-January. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are released in March, with enrollment contracts due shortly thereafter. Many schools also require shadow days (where the student visits a class) and parent interviews. It is critical to start the process at least a year in advance, especially for competitive schools like Webb.
For families living in Ontario, what are the key considerations when choosing between a top-rated public school in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District and a local private school?
The decision hinges on several Ontario-specific factors. Top public schools like Colony High School offer robust AP programs and extracurriculars at no direct tuition cost. Choosing a private school like Damien or St. Lucy's often involves seeking a faith-based education, smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 30+ in public), or a single-gender environment. The Webb Schools offer a boarding option and an exceptionally low student-to-teacher ratio with a focus on deep, inquiry-based learning. Transportation is also a key factor; private schools do not provide district transportation, so commuting to Claremont (Webb) or within Ontario must be planned. Families should assess the value of specific programs (e.g., paleontology at Webb) against the significant financial investment.
Private Education Insights
Top Prep Schools Near Ontario, CA: A Parent's Guide to Private Education
When you find yourself searching for "prep schools near me" from your home in Ontario, California, you’re embarking on a significant journey for your family. The term "prep school" often conjures images of distant, ivy-covered campuses, but right here in the Inland Empire, we are fortunate to have exceptional college-preparatory institutions that blend rigorous academics with strong community values. Your search is not just about proximity; it’s about finding an educational environment that will prepare your child for university and beyond while aligning with your family's ethos. Ontario and its surrounding communities offer a distinctive mix of options, each with its own character and strengths, making a localized understanding crucial.
The landscape of prep schools near Ontario is wonderfully diverse. You have renowned institutions like The Webb Schools in Claremont, a short drive away, which offers a unique blend of single-gender classrooms within a coeducational environment, deeply focused on honor and moral leadership. Closer to home, St. Lucy's Priory High School in Glendora provides a college-prep curriculum rooted in the Benedictine tradition, emphasizing the development of the whole person in a supportive, all-girls setting. For families considering all-boys education, Damien High School in La Verne stands out with its robust Spartan tradition, strong STEM programs, and a commitment to forming "gentlemen of faith, scholarship, and service." These schools represent the core of the preparatory mission in our area.
Your search for "prep schools near me" in Ontario must also consider the practical rhythms of daily life. Traffic along the 10 and 210 freeways is a real factor, so evaluating commute times during drop-off and pick-up hours is essential. Many families from Ontario find that carpool networks become a vital part of their community, connecting them with other parents in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, and Claremont. Furthermore, the cultural and economic fabric of the Inland Empire means these schools often have a strong focus on fostering resilience, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement, preparing students to be leaders in our dynamic region.
Beyond the impressive academic reputations, the true measure of a prep school is fit. We encourage you to move beyond the online search and experience these communities firsthand. Attend open houses at Damien, St. Lucy's, and Webb. Observe the interactions between students and teachers. Ask current parents from Ontario about their experiences with the transition to high school and the college counseling support. Notice how the school’s values are lived daily. The right preparatory school will not only challenge your child academically but will also nurture their character in a way that feels like an extension of your family. Your local search is the first step toward finding a place where your student will thrive, build lasting friendships, and build an unshakeable foundation for their future. The ideal fit is out there, waiting to be discovered just beyond that "prep schools near me" query.
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