The Best Private Schools in West Covina, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in West Covina. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Lucy's Priory High School
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
St. Lucy's Priory High School is a highly-regarded all-girls Catholic college preparatory school serving the San Gabriel Valley region including West Covina. Founded by the Benedictine Sisters, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 100% college acceptance rate. The campus features modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. Notable programs include Advanced Placement courses, competitive sports teams, and comprehensive arts education. The school emphasizes leadership development and community service within a supportive, faith-based environment.
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Damien High School
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Damien High School is a highly-regarded all-boys Catholic college preparatory school serving students from West Covina and throughout the San Gabriel Valley. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with 26 Advanced Placement courses and extensive STEM opportunities. The 22-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and technology labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts centers. Damien emphasizes brotherhood, service, and academic excellence, with a strong track record of college placements to top universities nationwide. The school maintains a vibrant extracurricular program including championship athletic teams and extensive arts offerings.
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South Hills Academy
Independent
South Hills Academy is a prestigious independent private school located directly in West Covina, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. The school is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School offering both the Primary Years and Diploma Programs. The 10-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The academy emphasizes global citizenship, critical thinking, and character development while maintaining small class sizes and individualized attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in West Covina, California
What are the main types of private schools available in West Covina, CA, and how do they differ?
West Covina offers a diverse range of private school options catering to different educational philosophies and needs. The city is notably home to prominent single-gender Catholic institutions like St. Lucy's Priory High School (all-girls) and Damien High School (all-boys), which offer college-preparatory curricula rooted in faith-based values. For co-educational options, South Hills Academy provides a secular, independent education from preschool through 8th grade. Additionally, the area has various parochial elementary schools affiliated with local parishes and smaller independent academies. This mix allows West Covina parents to choose based on gender preference, religious affiliation, academic rigor, and school culture.
How does tuition for private schools in West Covina, CA, typically compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for West Covina's top private schools is generally competitive with or slightly below the average for California private schools, which often exceeds $15,000 annually for high school. For the 2023-2024 academic year, Damien and St. Lucy's high school tuition ranges from approximately $12,000 to $16,000. South Hills Academy, as a K-8, may have a different fee structure. Importantly, these schools actively offer financial aid packages, scholarships (including merit-based and need-based), and parish subsidies for affiliated families. California's tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans can also now be used for K-12 private school tuition, providing a state-specific financial benefit for families planning ahead.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are highlighted by West Covina's leading private schools?
West Covina's private schools distinguish themselves with specialized programs that leverage their unique identities. St. Lucy's Priory High School emphasizes a strong STEM program and visual/performing arts within its all-girls environment. Damien High School is renowned for its extensive athletics program, particularly in football and baseball, competing in the prestigious CIF-Southern Section, and offers robust engineering and robotics tracks. South Hills Academy focuses on foundational excellence with character education and technology integration from an early age. Many of these schools also offer unique partnerships with local colleges for dual-enrollment opportunities and have active community service requirements tied to the San Gabriel Valley region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Damien and St. Lucy's in West Covina?
The enrollment process for West Covina's premier private high schools is highly structured and begins early. For 9th-grade admission, the process typically starts in the fall of a student's 8th-grade year. Key steps include attending open houses (often held September-November), submitting an application by a January deadline, taking a mandatory entrance exam (like the HSPT), and providing transcripts and recommendations. Admissions decisions are usually released in March. For schools like Damien and St. Lucy's, which draw from across the San Gabriel Valley, applying early is crucial due to competitive spaces. Sibling and parish member preferences are common factors in the decision process.
For families considering both public and private options, what are the key decision factors specific to education in West Covina, California?
In West Covina, the decision often hinges on academic focus, class size, and specialized environments. The West Covina Unified School District offers solid public options, but private schools like Damien, St. Lucy's, and South Hills Academy provide significantly smaller average class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25-35+ in public), allowing for more individualized attention. The private schools also offer a consistent college-prep curriculum, whereas public school offerings can vary more by individual school and program availability. Furthermore, the distinct mission-driven communities—whether faith-based or independent—in West Covina's private schools provide a structured environment that many families seek. Transportation can be a consideration, as private schools in West Covina do not provide district busing, drawing a geographically wider student body that often requires carpool planning.
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