The Best Private Schools in San Martin, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in San Martin. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Oakwood School
Oakwood School
Oakwood School is a highly-regarded private school located just minutes from San Martin in Morgan Hill. Serving students from preschool through 8th grade, the school offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme that emphasizes inquiry-based learning and global perspectives. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and extensive athletic facilities. Oakwood is known for its strong academic foundation, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty providing personalized attention. The school's comprehensive curriculum includes robust STEM programs, foreign language instruction starting in elementary grades, and extensive arts education. Parent satisfaction is consistently high, with families praising the school's nurturing environment and excellent college preparatory foundation.
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St. Catherine School
Diocese of San Jose
St. Catherine School is a well-established Catholic private school serving San Martin and the greater Morgan Hill area. Founded in 1955, the school has built a strong reputation for academic excellence within a faith-based community. Serving students from transitional kindergarten through 8th grade, St. Catherine offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes advanced STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programming, Spanish language instruction from early grades, and robust extracurricular activities. The school features modern facilities including technology-enhanced classrooms, science labs, and athletic fields. Parents consistently praise the school's strong community values, dedicated teachers, and the balanced education that prepares students both academically and morally for high school and beyond.
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Pacific Point Christian Schools
Pacific Point Christian Schools
Pacific Point Christian Schools is a respected private Christian institution located in nearby Gilroy, serving families from San Martin and surrounding communities. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. Pacific Point features a well-rounded curriculum that integrates faith and learning, including advanced placement courses, extensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. The campus includes modern academic buildings, science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school is particularly noted for its strong sense of community, individualized student attention with small class sizes, and excellent college acceptance rates. Families appreciate the school's commitment to developing both academic excellence and character formation in a supportive Christian environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in San Martin, California
What are the primary private school options available for families living in San Martin, California, and what are their core educational approaches?
San Martin, CA, is served by a few key private institutions, each with a distinct focus. Oakwood School is a well-regarded, non-sectarian private school offering a progressive, project-based learning environment from preschool through middle school. St. Catherine School provides a Catholic, faith-based education rooted in traditional academics and values for students in grades TK-8. Pacific Point Christian Schools offers a Protestant Christian education, integrating biblical principles across a comprehensive academic curriculum. Given San Martin's more rural setting within Santa Clara County, these are the primary dedicated private options, with many families also considering schools in nearby Morgan Hill, Gilroy, or San Jose for a broader selection.
How does tuition for private schools in San Martin, CA, compare to the broader Bay Area, and what financial aid options are typically available?
While still a significant investment, tuition for private schools in the San Martin area is generally lower than in the urban cores of San Jose or San Francisco. For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition at local schools like St. Catherine or Pacific Point Christian often ranges from approximately $8,000 to $12,000 for elementary grades, which is below the Bay Area's high-end averages. All accredited schools offer need-based financial aid, and many participate in California programs like the California Tax Credit Scholarship Program (administered by organizations like ACE Scholarships) for eligible families. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do San Martin private schools offer that leverage the local community and environment?
Private schools in San Martin often utilize the area's agricultural and open-space setting. For example, Oakwood School emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning, which can include garden-based science projects and environmental studies connected to the surrounding farmland. St. Catherine School may integrate community service projects with local parishes and organizations in South Santa Clara County. Pacific Point Christian Schools might offer outdoor education programs that take advantage of the proximity to the Santa Cruz Mountains. This connection to a less urbanized environment allows for distinctive programs focused on sustainability, agriculture, and outdoor leadership not as easily replicated in metropolitan private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in San Martin, and are there considerations for families moving to the area?
The enrollment process for San Martin private schools typically begins in the fall, with application deadlines between January and February for the following academic year. Key steps include submitting an application, school records, teacher recommendations, and often a student assessment or shadow day. Given the smaller size of these schools, spaces are limited, especially in popular entry grades like Transitional Kindergarten (TK), Kindergarten, and 6th grade. For families relocating to San Martin outside this cycle, it's essential to contact schools directly about mid-year availability. We recommend connecting with the admissions office at Oakwood, St. Catherine, or Pacific Point Christian as soon as your move is planned, as they may have waiting lists.
For families considering the choice between the local public school district (Morgan Hill Unified) and private schools in San Martin, what are the key differentiating factors?
The decision often hinges on class size, educational philosophy, and specific program offerings. Public schools in the Morgan Hill Unified School District, which serves San Martin, are well-regarded but have larger class sizes. Private schools in San Martin offer significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for more individualized attention. Furthermore, private options provide a choice in educational ethos: secular progressive (Oakwood), faith-based Catholic (St. Catherine), or faith-based Protestant (Pacific Point Christian). For specialized learning needs or religious instruction, private schools are the clear choice. However, public schools offer a tuition-free education with extensive extracurriculars and advanced placement courses at the high school level, which local private K-8 schools do not provide, necessitating a secondary school plan.
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