The Best Private Schools in San Pedro, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in San Pedro. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Rolling Hills Country Day School
Independent
Rolling Hills Country Day School is a highly-regarded independent school serving the South Bay region including San Pedro. Founded in 1976, the school offers a comprehensive educational program from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. The curriculum integrates STEAM education with a robust arts program and competitive athletics. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, and strong community atmosphere that prepares students for top high schools.
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Chadwick School
Independent
Chadwick School is a prestigious independent day school located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula that serves families throughout the South Bay region, including San Pedro. Founded in 1935, Chadwick offers a comprehensive K-12 education with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in high school. The school is renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum, extensive outdoor education program, and exceptional college placement record. The 45-acre campus features modern classrooms, science centers, performing arts facilities, and extensive athletic complexes. Chadwick emphasizes global citizenship, character development, and academic excellence.
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St. John Bosco High School
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
St. John Bosco High School is a highly-regarded all-boys Catholic college preparatory school that serves students from San Pedro and throughout the South Bay region. Founded in 1940 by the Salesians of Don Bosco, the school offers a comprehensive academic program with specialized academies in STEM, arts, and leadership. The campus features modern science labs, engineering facilities, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. Known for its strong sense of community and character formation, St. John Bosco provides a values-based education that prepares students for college and beyond. The school has particularly strong programs in robotics, athletics, and college counseling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in San Pedro, California
What are the primary private school options available within San Pedro, CA, and what are their core educational models?
San Pedro, CA, is home to a few notable private schools, each with a distinct focus. St. John Bosco High School is a prominent all-boys Catholic college-preparatory school known for its strong academics, athletics, and character formation. While Chadwick School and Rolling Hills Country Day School have "Rolling Hills" in their names and serve the broader Palos Verdes Peninsula area, they are key options for many San Pedro families due to proximity. Chadwick is a prestigious, independent K-12 day school with a rigorous curriculum and a renowned outdoor education program. Rolling Hills Country Day School is an independent junior kindergarten through 8th-grade school emphasizing experiential learning. For younger students, local parochial elementary schools like Mary Star of the Sea Elementary also serve the San Pedro community.
How does tuition for private schools in the San Pedro area compare to the broader Los Angeles region, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools accessible to San Pedro families is competitive with the broader Los Angeles basin but can vary significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, high school tuition at St. John Bosco is approximately $18,000, while Chadwick School's upper school tuition exceeds $45,000. Rolling Hills Country Day School's 8th-grade tuition is around $40,000. These schools offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. California's tax-advantaged 529 plans can be used for K-12 private tuition, and many schools offer payment plans. It's crucial to inquire directly about aid deadlines, as they often align with admission application dates. Some schools also offer merit-based scholarships for specific talents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do San Pedro-area private schools offer that leverage the local coastal environment or community?
Private schools serving San Pedro often integrate the unique coastal and maritime setting into their programs. Chadwick School's signature "Outdoor Education" program, which includes coastal camping, sailing, and environmental science trips, directly leverages Southern California's natural landscape. St. John Bosco High School has a strong engineering and robotics program, with potential for partnerships with the Port of Los Angeles and related industries. Schools in the area frequently incorporate marine biology, environmental studies, and sailing into their curricula or clubs. Furthermore, the diverse, working-port community of San Pedro provides a rich context for community service and cultural studies that many schools emphasize.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. John Bosco, Chadwick, and Rolling Hills Country Day for San Pedro residents?
The timeline is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Chadwick and Rolling Hills Country Day, the process for the following fall typically starts in the summer or early fall, with open houses from September to November. Application deadlines are often in January, with assessments, interviews, and student visits occurring in the winter. Notification dates are usually in March. St. John Bosco High School follows a similar timeline, with entrance exams (the HSPT) typically offered in the fall. For all schools, it is imperative for San Pedro parents to plan at least a year in advance, attend open houses, and note that sibling and legacy applicant deadlines may be even earlier.
For a family in San Pedro, what are the key considerations when deciding between a top-rated local public school (like the San Pedro High School STEM Magnet) and a private school in the area?
The decision hinges on several factors specific to San Pedro. Top public options like the San Pedro High School STEM Magnet offer rigorous, tuition-free education with a specialized focus, but within a much larger student body. Private schools offer smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and often more extensive resources in arts, technology, and college counseling. For college preparatory goals, private schools like Bosco or Chadwick have long-established networks and placement records. Transportation is a key consideration; private schools may require a significant commute, whereas public schools are neighborhood-based. Families must also weigh the value of a single-gender education (Bosco) or a progressive K-12 continuum (Chadwick) against the community-centered, diverse environment of the local public high school.
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