The Best Private Schools in Orangevale, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Orangevale. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Sacramento Country Day School
Independent
Sacramento Country Day School is a premier independent school located in Sacramento, serving the broader region including Orangevale. Known for its academic excellence, it provides a challenging curriculum with advanced placement courses, STEM programs, and arts integration. The school features state-of-the-art facilities, including science labs, a performing arts center, athletic fields, and technology resources. With a low student-teacher ratio, it fosters critical thinking, creativity, and leadership through diverse extracurricular activities like robotics, drama, and sports. Parent reviews highlight high satisfaction with its supportive community and consistent track record of graduates attending top colleges.
Programs:
St. Francis High School
Catholic Diocese of Sacramento
St. Francis High School is a distinguished all-girls Catholic high school in Sacramento, serving students from Orangevale and surrounding areas. It offers a comprehensive college preparatory education with advanced placement courses, robust STEM and humanities programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities in athletics, arts, and community service. The campus boasts excellent facilities, including modern classrooms, science and computer labs, a theater, and sports complexes. Recognized for its strong academic outcomes and nurturing environment, the school emphasizes leadership development and personal growth, resulting in high parent and student satisfaction rates.
Programs:
St. John the Evangelist School
Catholic Diocese of Sacramento
St. John the Evangelist School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade in Orangevale. It offers a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with faith-based values, featuring small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a strong sense of community. The campus includes modern facilities such as technology-enhanced classrooms, a science lab, library, and playgrounds. Extracurricular programs encompass music, art, sports, and community service, with high parent satisfaction noted for its supportive environment and focus on holistic student development. The school emphasizes college preparatory skills and character building, making it a top choice for families in the area.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Orangevale, California
What are the main types of private schools available to families in Orangevale, CA, and how do their educational approaches differ?
Orangevale, CA, offers a few distinct types of private schools within and near the community. St. John the Evangelist School provides a traditional, faith-based Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade, emphasizing values and a structured curriculum. Sacramento Country Day School, located in nearby Sacramento, is a secular, independent Pre-K through 12 school known for a rigorous college-preparatory program, small class sizes, and a strong emphasis on arts and innovation. St. Francis High School, also in Sacramento, is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school. For Orangevale families, this means choosing between a local parish school, a commute to a top-tier independent day school, or a single-gender Catholic high school, each with a unique philosophy and community.
How does tuition for private schools in the Orangevale, CA, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools serving Orangevale families varies significantly. Parish schools like St. John the Evangelist are generally more affordable, often ranging from $6,000 to $10,000 annually, while independent schools like Sacramento Country Day School can exceed $30,000 per year for upper grades, which is above the California private school average. Most schools offer need-based financial aid, and California residents should also explore the California Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which can provide scholarships for students attending qualifying private schools. Additionally, many schools offer payment plans and sibling discounts. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school's admissions office about their specific aid packages and deadlines.
For a family in Orangevale, what is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Sacramento Country Day School or St. Francis High School?
The enrollment process for top private schools in the Sacramento/Orangevale area is highly structured and often begins over a year in advance. For fall admission, most schools open applications in August or September, with deadlines typically between January and February. The process usually includes a campus tour, a completed application, student assessments or entrance exams, teacher recommendations, and a family interview. For St. Francis High School, specific placement tests are required. Admission decisions and financial aid awards are typically communicated in March. Given the competitive nature and limited seats, Orangevale families are advised to start researching and visiting schools in the fall of the year prior to desired enrollment.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible from Orangevale, CA, offer that distinguish them from local public schools?
Private schools in the region offer specialized programs that are often more intensive or available earlier than in public schools. Sacramento Country Day School, for instance, has a renowned STEM program with advanced robotics, dedicated science labs from a young age, and a global studies curriculum. St. Francis High School offers a distinctive all-girls engineering and technology institute (ETI) and extensive leadership development programs. St. John the Evangelist School integrates faith and technology with a 1:1 iPad program in middle school. These schools also typically feature smaller athletic teams, more performing arts productions, and tailored college counseling, providing opportunities for deep student engagement that can be harder to find in larger public school districts.
As an Orangevale resident, what are the key logistical considerations, like transportation and commute, when choosing a private school outside the immediate area?
This is a critical factor for Orangevale families. While St. John the Evangelist School is located within Orangevale, both Sacramento Country Day School and St. Francis High School require a commute into Sacramento, which can take 20-45 minutes depending on traffic. Most families provide their own transportation, though some schools may offer bus service or have organized carpool networks among families from the same area. When evaluating schools, consider the daily time commitment, after-school activity transportation, and the impact of the commute on your child's schedule. Many families find the commute worthwhile for the specific educational environment, but it's an important practical aspect to weigh against the benefits of a local public or parish school.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities