The Best Private Schools in Vacaville, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Vacaville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Jesuit High School
Jesuit Schools Network
Jesuit High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the greater Sacramento region, including Vacaville families. Founded in 1963, this all-boys school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 26 Advanced Placement courses and comprehensive college counseling. The 33-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts center, athletic complex, and technology-rich classrooms. The school emphasizes character formation through its Ignatian tradition and offers extensive extracurricular programs including championship athletics, robotics, debate, and community service. With a 98% college acceptance rate to four-year universities, Jesuit consistently ranks among the top private schools in Northern California.
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Notre Dame School
Diocese of Sacramento Catholic Schools
Notre Dame School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving students from preschool through 8th grade. Established in 1979, the school offers a comprehensive academic program rooted in Catholic values with strong emphasis on core subjects, technology integration, and character development. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, and technology resources. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 18:1, ensuring personalized attention. Extracurricular activities include sports, music programs, and community service opportunities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, and strong academic preparation for high school.
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St. Francis High School
Diocese of Sacramento Catholic Schools
St. Francis High School is a highly-respected all-girls Catholic college preparatory school that serves students from throughout the Sacramento region, including Vacaville. Established in 1940, the school offers a comprehensive academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and extensive college counseling services. The campus features modern science labs, technology centers, performing arts facilities, and athletic complexes. St. Francis emphasizes leadership development, community service, and academic excellence within a supportive all-girls environment. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and offers robust extracurricular programs including championship athletics, visual and performing arts, and numerous clubs and organizations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Vacaville, California
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Vacaville, California, and do we need to commute to nearby cities?
While Vacaville itself is home to well-regarded institutions like Notre Dame School (K-8), many families in Vacaville consider private high schools in the broader Sacramento region. This includes Jesuit High School in Carmichael and St. Francis High School in Sacramento, both of which are approximately a 30-45 minute commute. Vacaville's location between Sacramento and the Bay Area means parents often evaluate schools in both directions, making transportation and carpool logistics a key local consideration.
How does tuition for private schools in the Vacaville area compare to the California state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for Vacaville-area private schools varies. Notre Dame School in Vacaville has a different tuition structure than the regional Catholic high schools. For schools like Jesuit and St. Francis, annual high school tuition often ranges from $20,000 to $25,000, which is slightly above the state average for private secondary schools. Importantly, most of these schools offer substantial need-based financial aid and diocesan-supported scholarships. California's tax-advantaged 529 plans can also be used for K-12 private tuition, a benefit many local families utilize.
Are there unique academic or extracurricular programs offered by private schools serving Vacaville students that leverage the local environment?
Yes, several schools offer programs tied to the region. Given Vacaville's proximity to Travis Air Force Base, schools like Notre Dame have experience supporting military families. Jesuit High School's robust engineering and robotics programs connect with the tech and aerospace industries in the greater Sacramento Valley. Furthermore, many schools have strong agricultural and environmental science programs that take advantage of Solano County's rural landscapes for hands-on learning, which is a distinctive feature compared to urban private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Notre Dame, Jesuit, and St. Francis for a Vacaville resident?
The process is competitive and requires early planning. For Notre Dame School in Vacaville, applications for the following academic year often open in the fall, with deadlines in early winter. For the prestigious Sacramento-area high schools, the timeline is even more critical. Applications for Jesuit and St. Francis typically open in August/September of a student's 8th-grade year, with deadlines in November or December. This includes taking the HSPT entrance exam, submitting transcripts, and often an interview. Vacaville families must factor in this early deadline and the potential for entrance exam test sites in Sacramento.
For a family living in Vacaville, what are the key factors when deciding between the local public school district and a private school option that may require commuting?
The decision often hinges on academic focus, values, and logistics. Vacaville Unified School District offers strong programs, including specialized academies. Choosing a private school like those mentioned often involves seeking a specific religious education (Catholic), smaller class sizes, or a particular college-preparatory rigor. The major trade-off is the daily commute to Sacramento, which impacts family schedules and costs. Many Vacaville families find the community and academic outcomes worth the commute, while others prefer investing time and resources within the local public system, avoiding up to 1.5 hours of daily drive time.
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