The Best Private Schools in Rosemead, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rosemead. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Thomas Aquinas School
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
St. Thomas Aquinas School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Rosemead and Monterey Park communities. Established in 1959, the school offers comprehensive education from transitional kindergarten through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning and academic excellence. The school features modern facilities including science labs, computer labs, and extensive athletic facilities. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty, strong community environment, and well-rounded education that includes robust STEM programs, Spanish language instruction from early grades, and comprehensive arts and music education. The school maintains small class sizes and has a proven track record of preparing students for competitive high schools.
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Polytechnic School
Independent School
Polytechnic School is one of Southern California's premier independent day schools serving the greater San Gabriel Valley, including Rosemead families. Founded in 1907, Poly offers a rigorous college preparatory program from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is renowned for its exceptional academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities including science centers, performing arts theaters, and athletic complexes. Students benefit from a 8:1 student-teacher ratio and outstanding college placement results. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, ethical leadership, and interdisciplinary learning with extensive opportunities in robotics, debate, championship athletics, and community service programs.
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Mayfield Junior School
Holy Child Schools Network
Mayfield Junior School of the Holy Child Jesus is a respected independent Catholic school serving students from Rosemead and surrounding communities. Established in 1931, the school provides co-educational education from kindergarten through 8th grade with a focus on developing the whole child. The campus features modern learning spaces including innovation labs, art studios, and chapel facilities. The school's Holy Child educational philosophy emphasizes intellectual curiosity, spiritual growth, and social responsibility. Programs include comprehensive STEM education, extensive visual and performing arts, competitive athletics, and outdoor education. Parents consistently highlight the nurturing environment, exceptional faculty, and strong sense of community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rosemead, California
What are the primary private school options available within Rosemead, CA, and what are their educational approaches?
Within the city limits of Rosemead, St. Thomas Aquinas School is a prominent Catholic K-8 option offering a faith-based, traditional academic curriculum. For families willing to consider schools in the immediate greater San Gabriel Valley area, renowned institutions like Polytechnic School (Poly) in Pasadena and Mayfield Junior School in Pasadena are within a reasonable commute. Poly is a highly selective, secular K-12 school known for its rigorous STEM and humanities programs, while Mayfield is an independent Catholic junior school for grades K-8 with a strong emphasis on the whole child. The availability of top-tier schools just outside Rosemead means parents often consider a broader geographic range when searching for the right fit.
How does tuition for private schools in and near Rosemead, CA, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typical?
Tuition in the Rosemead area varies dramatically. A local parish school like St. Thomas Aquinas typically has more modest tuition, often ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 annually, making it accessible to many families. In contrast, elite independent schools like Polytechnic and Mayfield in neighboring Pasadena have tuitions that can exceed $40,000 per year, aligning with the high cost of similar institutions across California. Most private schools, including these, offer need-based financial aid, and many Catholic schools offer parish subsidies or multi-child discounts. California’s tax-advantaged 529 plans can also be used for K-12 private school tuition, which is an important state-specific financial consideration for parents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Rosemead residents?
Schools serving Rosemead families provide diverse specialized programs. St. Thomas Aquinas integrates Catholic sacramental preparation and Spanish language instruction into its core curriculum. The nearby Polytechnic School is renowned for its advanced mathematics trajectory, extensive robotics and engineering programs, and a commitment to hands-on science from the earliest grades. Mayfield Junior School emphasizes a "whole child" education with signature programs in visual and performing arts, character development, and a strong focus on writing. For Rosemead parents, this means access to both strong faith-based foundations and world-class preparatory programs within a short drive.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the San Gabriel Valley, like those near Rosemead?
For the most sought-after schools in the region (e.g., Polytechnic, Mayfield), the process is highly structured and begins very early. Parents should initiate research 12-18 months before desired entry. Key steps include attending open houses in the fall (often September-November), submitting applications by early January (with deadlines strictly enforced), and completing student assessments and family interviews in winter. Admission decisions are typically released in March. For Rosemead’s St. Thomas Aquinas, the process may be more rolling but still benefits from early inquiry. A key local consideration is that many families apply to multiple schools, so understanding each school's specific timeline is crucial.
How do the class sizes and student-teacher ratios in Rosemead-area private schools compare to local public school options?
This is a defining difference. Rosemead public schools, part of the Garvey School District, often have class sizes of 24-30 students or more. In contrast, private options offer significantly lower ratios. St. Thomas Aquinas typically maintains classes around 20-25 students with a dedicated teacher. The elite independent schools boast even smaller settings; for example, Polytechnic and Mayfield Junior School often have student-teacher ratios below 10:1, with average class sizes between 15-18 students. This allows for highly personalized attention, differentiated instruction, and deeper student-teacher relationships, which is a major factor for parents choosing private education in the Rosemead area.
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