The Best Private Schools in Woodland Hills, California
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Woodland Hills. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Sierra Canyon School
Independent
Sierra Canyon School is a highly regarded independent day school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Located just minutes from Woodland Hills in Chatsworth, the school is known for its rigorous college preparatory curriculum, exceptional faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. Sierra Canyon offers a comprehensive educational experience with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and diverse extracurricular opportunities including competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, and community service programs.
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Chaminade College Preparatory
Marianist Catholic
Chaminade College Preparatory is a distinguished Catholic school located in adjacent West Hills, serving students in grades 6-12. Founded by the Marianist tradition, the school combines rigorous academic preparation with character formation and spiritual development. The 23-acre campus features modern academic buildings, science and technology labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. Chaminade offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement options, competitive athletics programs, and rich extracurricular activities. The school is particularly noted for its strong community atmosphere, dedicated faculty, and successful college placement record.
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Notre Dame High School
Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Notre Dame High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school located in nearby Sherman Oaks, serving students throughout the San Fernando Valley including Woodland Hills. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with extensive Advanced Placement and honors courses, complemented by robust arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs. The campus features modern academic facilities, science and technology labs, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. Notre Dame emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual formation, and service to others, preparing students for success in college and beyond. The school maintains a strong tradition of academic achievement and community involvement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Woodland Hills, California
What are the main types of private schools available in Woodland Hills, CA, and how do they differ?
Woodland Hills, located in the San Fernando Valley, offers a diverse range of private school options. The area is notably home to prestigious independent schools like Sierra Canyon School, known for its strong academics, arts, and athletics, often with a college-prep focus. You'll also find faith-based institutions such as Chaminade College Preparatory (Catholic, co-ed) and Notre Dame High School (Catholic, single-sex). Additionally, there are smaller parochial elementary schools and secular progressive schools. The key differences lie in educational philosophy (e.g., religious formation vs. secular independent), campus size, student body composition, and specific programmatic strengths like STEM or performing arts, which are prominent in several Woodland Hills schools.
How does tuition for private schools in Woodland Hills, CA, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typical?
Tuition at top Woodland Hills private schools like Sierra Canyon, Chaminade, and Notre Dame is generally at or above the California state average for private secondary education, often ranging from approximately $25,000 to over $40,000 annually for high school. California's higher cost of living is a factor. However, these schools typically offer robust financial aid programs funded through endowments and annual fundraising. It's common for schools to use the Clarity Application or similar needs-based assessment tools. Many also offer merit scholarships, and some have parish subsidies for affiliated families at Catholic schools. We strongly recommend applying for financial aid simultaneously with admission, as deadlines are strict and funds are limited.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are signature offerings at Woodland Hills private schools?
Private schools in Woodland Hills leverage their Los Angeles-area location to offer unique programs. Sierra Canyon is renowned for its extensive arts conservatory and competitive athletics, often drawing students interested in entertainment industry connections. Chaminade College Preparatory emphasizes its Engineering and Applied Science program, a dedicated STEM track. Notre Dame High School offers distinctive single-gender education within a Catholic framework, with strong leadership and service programs. Many schools also utilize the nearby Santa Monica Mountains for environmental science and have partnerships with local universities and businesses for internships. The proximity to cultural institutions in LA is a significant academic and extracurricular asset.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools in Woodland Hills?
The process for schools like Sierra Canyon, Chaminade, and Notre Dame is highly structured and begins early. Prospective families should start researching in the spring or summer before the desired fall entry year. The key steps include: attending open houses (often held September-November), submitting applications by January deadlines, completing standardized testing (like the HSPT or ISEE), scheduling student interviews and shadow days, and submitting teacher recommendations. Admission decisions are typically released in March. For the most competitive grades, especially 9th entry, starting the process 12-18 months in advance is advisable. Sibling and legacy applicants often have earlier or priority deadlines.
For families considering both public and private options, what are the defining characteristics of the private school environment in Woodland Hills?
Choosing a private school in Woodland Hills often involves seeking a specific community or educational approach not guaranteed in the large, well-regarded but crowded Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) public schools like El Camino Real Charter. Private schools here offer smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students), more individualized attention, and a mission-driven culture—whether faith-based or centered on a particular pedagogical philosophy. They provide greater programmatic consistency and often have more resources for arts, technology, and college counseling. The trade-off is cost and a less socio-economically diverse student body. The defining characteristic is choice: parents can select an environment that closely aligns with their values and their child's learning style.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Small Private Schools in Woodland Hills, CA
For parents in Woodland Hills beginning the search for the right educational environment for their child, the phrase “small private schools near me” often represents a desire for something more personal and focused than what larger institutions can offer. The San Fernando Valley, and Woodland Hills in particular, is home to several well-known preparatory schools, but nestled within and around our community are a number of exceptional smaller private schools that provide a distinct, intimate learning experience. These institutions often feature lower student-to-teacher ratios, a strong sense of community, and programs tailored to individual learning styles, making them a compelling option for families seeking a close-knit academic setting.
When considering small private schools in our area, it’s important to define what “small” means for your family. For some, it might be a K-8 school with fewer than 200 students, where every teacher knows every child’s name and strengths. For others, it could be a specialized high school program with focused tracks in arts, sciences, or leadership. The benefit in Woodland Hills is that you can find these environments without sacrificing academic rigor or extracurricular opportunities. Many small schools leverage their size to foster deep partnerships with local businesses, cultural institutions in the Valley, and the natural resources of the Santa Monica Mountains for experiential learning. This local connectivity turns the entire community into a classroom.
Your search for “small private schools near me” in Woodland Hills should involve looking beyond just the most prominent names. While schools like Sierra Canyon, Chaminade, and Notre Dame are excellent, they are larger, comprehensive campuses. The smaller alternatives might be independent faith-based academies, progressive Montessori schools, or college-prep micro-schools that have recently emerged. Visiting these campuses is crucial; you’ll feel the difference immediately in the hallway interactions and the visibility of student work. Pay attention to how the school culture aligns with your family’s values and your child’s personality. Does the schedule allow for the infamous Valley traffic? Is there a before/after-care program that accommodates Los Angeles commutes? These practical, local considerations are as important as the curriculum.
Ultimately, choosing a small private school in Woodland Hills is about finding a place where your child is seen, known, and challenged as an individual. The investment goes beyond tuition; it’s an investment in a community that will support your child’s growth during their formative years. Take the time to schedule tours, ask detailed questions about class size and teacher retention, and speak to current parents. The right small school can provide an unparalleled foundation, offering a safe and nurturing environment where students gain the confidence to excel academically and personally. In the diverse educational landscape of Woodland Hills, these hidden gems often provide the personalized attention and community feel that many families are actively seeking, making the search for “small private schools near me” a journey well worth taking.
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