The Best Private Schools in Commerce City, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Commerce City. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Academy
St. Mary's Academy
St. Mary's Academy is a highly-regarded independent school serving the greater Denver metropolitan area, including Commerce City families. The school offers a rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with exceptional college placement records. Their 27-acre campus features state-of-the-art STEM labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty holding advanced degrees. Transportation options and financial aid programs make this prestigious institution accessible to Commerce City residents seeking top-tier private education.
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Regis Jesuit High School
Regis Jesuit High School
Regis Jesuit High School serves Commerce City and the broader Denver metro area with its distinguished Catholic, college-preparatory education. Operating as two single-gender divisions within one campus, the school offers comprehensive academic programs with outstanding Advanced Placement course offerings and college counseling. The 85-acre campus features modern science and technology centers, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. With a strong emphasis on service learning and character formation, Regis Jesuit consistently ranks among Colorado's top private high schools, with graduates attending prestigious universities nationwide. Transportation services are available for Commerce City students.
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St. Pius X Catholic School
Archdiocese of Denver
St. Pius X Catholic School provides a faith-based education serving Commerce City families seeking private education from preschool through 8th grade. With over six decades of educational excellence, the school offers a balanced curriculum integrating technology, STEM initiatives, and fine arts. The school features modern classrooms, science labs, and extensive extracurricular programs. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and the strong community atmosphere creates a supportive learning environment. Conveniently located near Commerce City, the school offers before/after-school care and has established relationships with area Catholic high schools for smooth transitions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Commerce City, Colorado
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Commerce City, Colorado, and are they located within the city limits?
While Commerce City itself has a limited number of standalone private campuses, families commonly look to nearby communities for established options. Notable schools in the broader north Denver metro area include St. Pius X Catholic School in Aurora (K-8), Regis Jesuit High School (co-divisional 9-12) in Aurora, and St. Mary's Academy (PreK-12) in Englewood. It's important for Commerce City parents to consider commute times, as these highly-regarded schools are a short drive away but not within Commerce City proper. Many families also explore private schools in Thornton, Brighton, and central Denver.
How does the enrollment and admissions timeline for top private schools near Commerce City, CO, typically work?
The competitive private schools in the Denver metro area, including those serving Commerce City families, generally follow an annual cycle. Applications for the following academic year often open in August or September, with deadlines typically between January and February. For example, Regis Jesuit and St. Mary's Academy have winter application deadlines. Key steps include open houses (often in the fall), submission of applications, student assessments/interviews, and financial aid applications. Notification of acceptance and financial aid awards usually occurs in March. It is crucial to start the process at least a year in advance, especially for sought-after grades like kindergarten, 6th, and 9th.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible from Commerce City offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the region provide specialized programs that may influence a Commerce City family's choice. Regis Jesuit High School is renowned for its distinctive co-divisional model (separate boys' and girls' divisions) and robust Ignatian leadership programs. St. Mary's Academy offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum from Primary Years through Diploma Programme, a rarity in Colorado. St. Pius X provides a strong faith-based curriculum with dedicated Spanish instruction. These schools often feature smaller class sizes, extensive arts and athletics, and college counseling that begins earlier than in many public districts, offering a tailored educational environment.
What is the range of tuition for private schools near Commerce City, Colorado, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for the top private schools serving the Commerce City area varies significantly. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect a range from approximately $8,000-$10,000 annually for elementary grades at a school like St. Pius X to over $20,000 for high school at institutions like Regis Jesuit or St. Mary's Academy. Importantly, all these schools offer substantial need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Colorado also has the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit (CCCC), which provides a state income tax credit for donations to promote child care, including scholarships for private schools. Families are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admissions.
For a Commerce City resident, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school district (School District 27J) to private school options in the region?
The primary considerations involve educational approach, resources, and logistics. Commerce City is served by Brighton School District 27J, a large public district. Key comparisons include: **Class Size:** Private schools typically offer significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios. **Curriculum Flexibility:** Private schools can offer specialized tracks (like IB) and often have more robust arts and language programs. **Transportation:** District 27J provides busing; most private schools do not offer transportation from Commerce City, requiring a family commute. **Cost:** Public schools are tuition-free, while private schools represent a major financial investment. **Community & Values:** Private schools often have a specific religious or philosophical mission. Parents should assess their child's specific needs, visit both types of schools, and weigh the commitment of time and finances.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Non-Religious Private Schools in Commerce City, CO for Your Child
For parents in Commerce City seeking an independent education for their children, the search for the right school is a deeply personal journey. You may be typing “non religious private schools near me” into your search engine, hoping to find options that align with your family’s values without a specific faith-based curriculum. While Commerce City itself is a vibrant and growing community, its immediate landscape of private schools is predominantly affiliated with religious traditions, such as the excellent St. Mary’s Academy, Regis Jesuit High School, and St. Pius X Catholic School. This presents a unique consideration for local families: expanding your geographic search to neighboring areas is often key to finding the secular private education you envision.
The Denver metropolitan area, just a short commute from Commerce City, becomes your primary hunting ground. This search requires a shift in perspective, viewing the entire metro as an extension of your local options. Many families in Commerce City find that the drive to schools in Denver, Aurora, or the northern suburbs is well worth it for a pedagogical philosophy that matches their goals. When researching, look for terms like “independent school,” “secular private school,” or “college-preparatory school” to filter your results. These institutions often emphasize critical thinking, global citizenship, and innovative learning models without religious doctrine as a core component. The commute, often against the predominant traffic flow from Commerce City into Denver, can be manageable and becomes part of the family routine.
Your investigation should focus on the school’s mission statement and curriculum descriptions. Authentically secular schools will clearly state their commitment to a non-sectarian education. It’s also wise to inquire about the student body’s diversity of thought and background, as this is often a cornerstone of such environments. When visiting schools, ask specific questions about how ethical or character education is taught if not through a religious lens. Many non-religious private schools have robust programs in social-emotional learning, community service, and philosophy that build moral character effectively.
Practically speaking, this expanded search means factoring in logistics. Explore transportation options; some schools offer bus routes that extend into the broader region. Also, consider the community aspect. Your child will make friends who may live further away, so planning for playdates and extracurricular involvement requires a bit more coordination. However, the trade-off is access to specialized programs, from STEM labs to intensive arts curricula, that might not be available otherwise. For Commerce City parents, finding a non-religious private school is less about a single local solution and more about strategically tapping into the rich educational ecosystem of the greater Denver area. It’s an investment of time and travel that opens doors to a specific type of learning environment, fostering independent inquiry and a worldview shaped by diverse human experiences rather than a single theological perspective. Start your search with a map of Denver metro independent schools, and prepare to discover some exceptional academic communities just beyond the city limits.
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