The Best Private Schools in Rancho Cordova, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rancho Cordova. 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 premier all-boys Catholic college preparatory school serving Rancho Cordova and the broader Sacramento region. As an International Baccalaureate World School, Jesuit offers both IB and AP curricula with exceptional academic outcomes. The school features a 33-acre campus with modern STEM facilities, extensive athletic complexes, and dedicated arts spaces. Jesuit emphasizes the formation of "Men for Others" through community service requirements and character development programs. The school maintains strong college placement records with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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St. Francis Catholic High School
Diocese of Sacramento
St. Francis Catholic High School is a highly-regarded all-girls college preparatory school serving the greater Sacramento area including Rancho Cordova. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes leadership development, community service, and faith formation while offering robust extracurricular programs including championship athletics, visual and performing arts, and numerous student clubs.
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Merryhill School
Spring Education Group
Merryhill School in Roseville serves families throughout the Sacramento metropolitan area including Rancho Cordova. This private school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on STEM education and character development. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, science labs, Spanish language instruction from an early age, and technology integration. The school features modern classrooms, science laboratories, and outdoor learning spaces. Merryhill focuses on individualized learning plans and maintains small class sizes to ensure personalized attention and academic excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rancho Cordova, California
What are the primary private school options available within Rancho Cordova, California, and what are their educational approaches?
Within Rancho Cordova city limits, a prominent option is Merryhill School, which offers a private, non-sectarian education from preschool through elementary with a focus on STEM and character development. While St. Francis Catholic High School and Jesuit High School are frequently cited as top regional schools, it's important for Rancho Cordova parents to note their campuses are actually located in nearby Sacramento. These prestigious Catholic, college-preparatory schools do, however, serve many students from the Rancho Cordova community. The landscape is largely comprised of local private preschools and elementary programs, with families often looking to neighboring Sacramento for extensive high school options.
How does tuition for private schools in the Rancho Cordova, CA, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Rancho Cordova area reflects the higher cost of living in California. For example, local elementary programs like Merryhill can range from approximately $12,000 to $18,000 annually. The highly-regarded Catholic high schools in Sacramento that serve Rancho Cordova families, such as St. Francis and Jesuit, have tuition often exceeding $20,000 per year. Importantly, most established private schools in the region offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need, and California parents should investigate the California Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which can provide scholarships for students attending private schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools serving Rancho Cordova students offer, leveraging the local economy or community?
Private schools in and around Rancho Cordova often design programs that connect to the region's strong aerospace, technology, and public safety sectors. For instance, schools may have enhanced engineering tracks, robotics clubs, and partnerships with local tech companies or Mather Airport. Furthermore, due to Rancho Cordova's diverse community and proximity to the state capital, schools like Jesuit High School offer renowned civic engagement and social justice programs. Local private elementary schools may also emphasize environmental science, taking advantage of the American River Parkway and other natural resources for hands-on learning.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools that Rancho Cordova students commonly attend?
For the sought-after Sacramento-area Catholic high schools like St. Francis and Jesuit, the process for Rancho Cordova residents begins over a year in advance. Prospective students must typically take an entrance exam (like the HSPT) in the fall of their 8th-grade year, with applications due in early winter. Open houses are held in the preceding fall. These schools have competitive admissions, considering grades, test scores, recommendations, and sometimes interviews. For local private elementary schools, timelines can be more flexible, but it is advisable to inquire at least 6-12 months before the desired start date, as some grades have waitlists.
For a family living in Rancho Cordova, what are the key considerations when choosing between a local public school and a private school option?
Key considerations include educational philosophy, class size, and specific program offerings. Rancho Cordova is part of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD), which has both highly-rated and struggling schools, making specific location within the city important. Private options offer smaller class sizes, religious education (if desired), and often a consistent college-prep curriculum from kindergarten onward. However, parents must weigh the significant tuition cost against the free public option, considering commute times to private schools outside the city limits. The decision often hinges on whether a family seeks a specific values-based education or specialized academic focus not fully available in their assigned public school.
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