The Best Private Schools in Woodland, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Woodland. 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 one of Northern California's most prestigious private schools, serving students from Woodland and throughout the Sacramento metropolitan area. As a Catholic Jesuit college preparatory school, it offers both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs alongside a comprehensive STEM academy. The 33-acre campus features state-of-the-art science and technology centers, extensive athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, community service, and leadership development, Jesuit consistently ranks among the top private schools in California, attracting students seeking rigorous college preparation and holistic education.
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St. Francis High School
Diocese of Sacramento Catholic Schools
St. Francis High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving students throughout the Sacramento region, including Woodland families. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 24 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive visual and performing arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. With a 100% college acceptance rate and state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complex, St. Francis provides exceptional educational opportunities. The school's suburban Sacramento location makes it easily accessible for Woodland commuters seeking top-tier private secondary education.
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Holy Rosary Catholic School
Diocese of Sacramento
Holy Rosary Catholic School is Woodland's premier private Catholic school offering comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade. The school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations, featuring modern STEM labs, comprehensive music and arts programs, and competitive athletics. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence. The campus includes well-maintained facilities with technology-integrated classrooms, a library, and recreational spaces serving the Woodland community for generations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Woodland, California
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Woodland, California, and what grade levels do they serve?
Woodland, CA, offers a limited number of private schools, with the most prominent being Holy Rosary Catholic School (TK-8) and St. Francis High School (9-12). While Jesuit High School is a highly-regarded option, it is located in nearby Carmichael, CA, and serves as a regional draw for Sacramento-area families, including those from Woodland. For younger grades, Holy Rosary is the primary local Catholic elementary option. Families in Woodland often also consider private schools in the greater Sacramento region, which requires factoring in commute times.
How does tuition for private schools in and near Woodland, CA, compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Holy Rosary Catholic School's tuition is approximately $7,000-$8,000 annually, while St. Francis High School's tuition is around $19,000. Jesuit High School's tuition is comparable to St. Francis. Most private schools in California, including these, offer need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for active Catholic families at schools like Holy Rosary. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as funds are limited. California also has programs like the California Credit Union School Loan, which some local families utilize.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Woodland-area private schools offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Holy Rosary Catholic School integrates faith-based education with a standard curriculum and may offer smaller class sizes than Woodland Joint Unified School District public schools. St. Francis High School provides a college-preparatory curriculum with notable arts and athletics programs, including a strong robotics team. A key differentiator for families considering Jesuit High School is its distinctive Ignatian pedagogy, emphasizing cura personalis (care for the whole person), and extensive service-learning requirements. These schools often have more uniform requirements and structured environments compared to the diverse offerings of larger public high schools like Woodland High School.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Holy Rosary and St. Francis in Woodland, CA?
The enrollment process for Woodland's private schools generally begins in the fall for the following academic year. Holy Rosary Catholic School typically holds open houses in early winter, with application deadlines in January or February. St. Francis High School's process is similar, with prospective student events in the fall. Both schools may require entrance exams (HSPT for high schools), student interviews, and records from previous schools. Sibling and parish member applicants often receive priority. It's highly recommended to contact the school's admissions office directly by October to ensure you meet all deadlines and requirements.
For a family in Woodland, what are the practical considerations when choosing between a local private school and the highly-rated public schools in the area?
The decision hinges on several Woodland-specific factors. Woodland Joint Unified has some well-regarded public schools and specialized programs, such as the Dual Language Immersion program. Choosing a local private school like Holy Rosary or St. Francis involves weighing factors like religious education, smaller class sizes, and a specific educational philosophy against no tuition cost. For high school, the choice may involve comparing the college-prep focus and community of St. Francis with the diverse AP offerings and larger social environment of Woodland High or Pioneer High. Additionally, commuting to a school like Jesuit High School in Sacramento involves a significant daily drive (45+ minutes), impacting family logistics and student time.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Private Primary Schools in Woodland, CA | A Parent's Guide
As a parent in Woodland, California, beginning the search for “private primary schools near me” can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You’re looking for an educational foundation that aligns with your family’s values, fosters your child’s unique potential, and feels like a true community. Here in our part of Yolo County, the landscape of private education offers distinct choices, each with its own character, and understanding the local context is key to finding the right fit for your young learner.
When families in Woodland explore private primary schools, one immediate consideration is the blend of local institutions and nearby regional options. Within our city, Holy Rosary Catholic School stands out as a longstanding pillar, offering a faith-based, K-8 education right in the heart of the community. For many Woodland families, the appeal of a school like Holy Rosary is its close-knit environment and the continuity of having a child in the same nurturing setting for their entire primary education. The daily commute is minimal, allowing for more family time and deeper integration into local networks. This hyper-local option answers the “near me” search with a proven, community-centered model.
However, the definition of “near” can expand when considering the specialized offerings of the greater Sacramento area. Many Woodland parents also look at esteemed schools like Jesuit High School in Carmichael, though it’s crucial to note Jesuit begins at 9th grade. This highlights an important planning point: some families choose a local primary school with an eye on a specific secondary pathway. The daily drive to schools in Sacramento or Davis is a reality for some, factoring in commute time, carpools, and the value of that specific educational philosophy against the convenience of a truly neighborhood school. It’s a personal calculus that involves mapping your family’s daily rhythm.
Your search for private primary schools near me in Woodland should also account for the practicalities of our agricultural-rich region. School calendars and event schedules often nod to local rhythms, and the community feel within these schools is deeply connected to the fabric of Woodland itself. When visiting schools, ask about how they incorporate our local environment and history into their curriculum. Furthermore, engage with current parents at playgrounds or local spots like the Farmers Market; firsthand insights about the day-to-day experience, from drop-off lines to after-school activities in our specific locale, are invaluable.
Ultimately, the journey is about matching your child’s needs with an environment where they will thrive. Start by clearly defining your priorities—whether they are academic rigor, faith integration, small class sizes, or a particular extracurricular focus. Then, schedule visits. There is no substitute for feeling the atmosphere of a classroom, observing student interactions, and speaking directly with teachers and administrators. In Woodland, you have the opportunity to choose a school that is not just an institution, but an extension of your family’s community, providing a strong and thoughtful foundation for these critical early years of learning and growth.
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