The Best Private Schools in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Colorado Springs. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Colorado Springs School
Independent School
The Colorado Springs School is a highly-regarded independent day and boarding school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Known for its rigorous college preparatory curriculum and innovative block schedule, CSS emphasizes experiential learning and character development. The school features a beautiful 28-acre campus with modern facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains a strong track record of college placements and academic excellence.
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Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Independent Boarding and Day School
Fountain Valley School is a prestigious independent boarding and day school serving grades 9-12 with a strong reputation for academic excellence and character development. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with both AP and IB options, set on a beautiful 1,100-acre campus at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Notable programs include their renowned equestrian center, extensive outdoor education, and global studies opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes and has a diverse student body with both domestic and international students.
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The Vanguard School
Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy
The Vanguard School is a highly-rated public charter school serving grades K-12 with a classical education approach and rigorous academic standards. While technically a public charter, it operates with the selectivity and academic focus of a private institution and is consistently ranked among the top schools in Colorado. The school emphasizes classical liberal arts education, character development, and college preparation. With strong test scores, comprehensive arts programs, and competitive athletics, Vanguard has earned recognition for academic excellence and high parent satisfaction rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Colorado Springs, Colorado
What are the main types of private schools available in Colorado Springs, CO, and how do they differ?
Colorado Springs offers a diverse range of private schools catering to different educational philosophies. You'll find traditional college-preparatory day schools like The Colorado Springs School, which emphasizes experiential learning. There are boarding/day options like the Fountain Valley School of Colorado, known for its expansive campus and focus on global engagement. Specialized schools, such as The Vanguard School, provide targeted support for students with specific learning needs. Additionally, the city has a strong presence of faith-based schools (Christian, Catholic, Lutheran) and classical education academies. This variety allows parents to match a school's philosophy closely with their child's learning style and family values.
How does tuition for private schools in Colorado Springs compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are available locally?
Tuition in Colorado Springs varies widely but is often slightly below the average for Colorado's Front Range urban areas. For K-12 day schools, annual tuition can range from approximately $10,000 to over $25,000. Most top-tier schools, including those listed, have robust financial aid programs funded through endowments and annual giving. Importantly, Colorado has the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit," which incentivizes donations to private school financial aid funds, thereby increasing the aid pool. Many Colorado Springs schools also participate in the state's "Choice Scholarship" program for students with special needs, and some offer multi-child discounts. It's essential to apply for aid directly through each school's financial aid office using tools like the SSS (School and Student Services).
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in Colorado Springs that leverage the local Colorado environment?
Colorado Springs private schools uniquely integrate the region's natural and cultural resources into their programs. Many schools, including Fountain Valley and The Colorado Springs School, have extensive outdoor education programs that utilize the nearby Rocky Mountains for hiking, climbing, and environmental science studies. Given the city's proximity to military installations and aerospace/defense contractors, several schools have strong STEM partnerships and robotics teams. Furthermore, the local arts scene, including the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, partners with schools for advanced arts education. Some schools also incorporate Western history and conservation studies, taking advantage of the region's heritage and organizations like the Rocky Mountain Field Institute.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in Colorado Springs?
The enrollment process for sought-after private schools in Colorado Springs often begins 12-18 months before the desired start date. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically held in the fall), submitting applications by January or February deadlines for the following academic year, and completing student assessments or shadow days. Many schools require the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or other standardized assessments. Admission decisions are commonly released in March. Due to the presence of military families from Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, and the Air Force Academy, some schools have specific protocols or flexibility for mid-year transfers. We recommend initiating contact with admissions offices in the early fall to secure tour dates and understand specific requirements.
How do private schools in Colorado Springs address the specific needs of a highly mobile population, including military families?
Recognizing that Colorado Springs is a major military hub, many private schools have developed specific programs to support transient families. These include streamlined application processes for PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves, pro-rated tuition for mid-year enrollment, and dedicated counseling services to help students transition. Schools often have active communities of military families who provide peer support. Academically, many schools align their curricula with national standards to ease transfers and offer robust college counseling that understands the complexities of applications from students with records from multiple schools. This specialized support is a significant differentiator for Colorado Springs private schools compared to those in less mobile communities.
Private Education Insights
Top Private High Schools in Colorado Springs: A Parent's Guide
When you begin searching for the "best private high schools near me" in Colorado Springs, you quickly discover that our city offers a remarkable diversity of educational philosophies, each catering to different student strengths and family values. This isn't about finding a single top-ranked school, but rather identifying the environment where your teenager will thrive academically, socially, and personally. The unique backdrop of the Front Range, with its blend of military families, tech professionals, and long-standing community members, creates a dynamic student body in these institutions, enriching the learning experience with a wide array of perspectives.
One of the first considerations for Colorado Springs families is the educational approach. For parents seeking a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with a strong emphasis on experiential learning, The Colorado Springs School stands out. Its signature "Block Plan" allows for deep immersion in subjects, and its location near the Austin Bluffs offers a campus that encourages outdoor exploration as part of its educational model. This is ideal for the student who learns best by doing and who benefits from a schedule that mimics the intensity of a university seminar. Meanwhile, the Fountain Valley School of Colorado provides a distinctive boarding and day school option with a profound commitment to its 1,100-acre campus as a living classroom. Its focus on global engagement and outdoor education resonates with families who value a tight-knit community and a curriculum that extends far beyond traditional classroom walls, preparing students for leadership in an interconnected world.
For families prioritizing structured, classical education with a focus on core knowledge and civic virtue, The Vanguard School offers a compelling choice. Its commitment to a content-rich, sequential curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences appeals to parents looking for academic rigor within a clear moral framework. It’s important to visit and feel the culture of each school; the drive up to Fountain Valley’s serene campus feels different from the urban energy at The Colorado Springs School, and each atmosphere attracts a different kind of learner. Beyond these well-known names, Colorado Springs is also home to excellent faith-based and specialized academies, meaning your search for the "best private high schools near me" should include conversations about your child’s need for spiritual grounding or specific programmatic strengths like STEM or the arts.
Ultimately, the best fit accounts for more than prestige. Consider the daily commute from neighborhoods like Briargate, Broadmoor, or the growing communities north of the city—traffic on I-25 can be a real factor in quality of life. Engage with current parents and ask about teacher accessibility, homework loads, and how the school supports the transition into ninth grade. The investment is significant, so ensure the philosophy aligns with your family’s goals. By looking beyond the rankings and focusing on the specific environment each Colorado Springs private high school cultivates, you can find a place where your student will not only be prepared for college but will also develop the character and confidence to navigate the future.
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