The Best Private Schools in Fountain, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Fountain. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Vanguard School
The Vanguard School
The Vanguard School is a highly-rated college preparatory school serving students from Fountain and the broader Colorado Springs area. Founded in 1996, the school specializes in serving gifted and academically talented students with a challenging curriculum that includes numerous AP courses and advanced STEM programs. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, ensuring personalized attention. Vanguard's classical education approach emphasizes critical thinking, writing skills, and character development. The school has consistently high college acceptance rates and strong academic outcomes, making it a top choice for families seeking rigorous private education.
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Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Fountain Valley School
Fountain Valley School is a prestigious college-preparatory boarding and day school serving the Fountain and Colorado Springs area. Founded in 1930, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with small class sizes and personalized attention. The 1,100-acre campus features exceptional facilities including modern classrooms, science labs, arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes global citizenship, outdoor education, and character development alongside academic excellence. With a diverse student body and dedicated faculty, FVS prepares students for top colleges and universities while fostering individual growth and leadership skills.
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St. Mary's High School
Catholic Schools of Colorado Springs
St. Mary's High School is a long-established Catholic college preparatory school that serves students from Fountain and throughout the Pikes Peak region. Founded in 1884, the school combines rigorous academics with faith-based education in the Catholic tradition. The curriculum includes numerous Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. The historic campus features modern academic facilities, science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. St. Mary's emphasizes service learning, leadership development, and spiritual growth alongside academic achievement, with graduates consistently gaining admission to selective colleges and universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Fountain, Colorado
What are the main types of private schools available in Fountain, Colorado, and how do they differ?
Fountain, Colorado, offers a diverse range of private school options, each with a distinct educational philosophy. The top schools include Fountain Valley School of Colorado, a prestigious co-ed boarding and day school with a college-preparatory focus and a strong emphasis on experiential learning and its 1,100-acre campus. The Vanguard School is a notable day school serving students with specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and ADHD, offering specialized, individualized instruction. St. Mary's High School in nearby Colorado Springs is a popular choice for Fountain families seeking a Catholic, co-ed college preparatory environment. This variety allows parents to choose based on academic rigor, specialized support, or religious affiliation.
How does tuition for private schools in the Fountain, CO, area compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition in the Fountain area varies significantly based on the school type. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at Fountain Valley School is approximately $38,000, while The Vanguard School's tuition is around $32,000. St. Mary's High School tuition is roughly $15,000. All these schools offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. Importantly, Colorado has the "Child Care Contribution Credit" and the "Child Care Expenses Credit," which can provide state income tax credits for a portion of tuition paid to qualifying schools. Additionally, the "Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative" (COSI) may offer further support. Families are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid directly through each school's process, as grants and scholarships can substantially reduce the net cost.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Fountain leverage due to their Colorado location?
Private schools in the Fountain area deeply integrate Colorado's natural and cultural environment into their programs. Fountain Valley School is renowned for its "Humanities in the West" program and extensive outdoor education, including trips to the nearby Rocky Mountains and Southwest canyons. Its equestrian program utilizes the school's vast land. The Vanguard School uses the state's outdoor spaces for therapeutic recreation and hands-on science learning. While not in Fountain proper, St. Mary's High School and other regional privates often have strong STEM programs connected to local industries like aerospace (with proximity to Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever SFB) and environmental science. This regional focus provides students with unique, experiential learning opportunities not found in a standard curriculum.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Fountain, Colorado?
The enrollment process for Fountain-area private schools is competitive and begins early. Key steps include: 1) **Fall (Year Prior)**: Attend open houses and virtual tours (typically September-November). 2) **Application Deadline**: Most schools, like Fountain Valley and Vanguard, have deadlines in January or February for the following fall. 3) **Testing/Assessments**: Required standardized testing (SSAT, ISEE) or school-specific educational evaluations (especially for Vanguard) are scheduled in winter. 4) **Interviews & Visits**: Student interviews and shadow days occur from fall through winter. 5) **Admissions Decisions**: Notifications are usually released in March. 6) **Financial Aid**: Deadlines align closely with application deadlines. Due to limited seats, especially in specialized programs, starting the process 12-18 months in advance is highly recommended for Fountain families.
For a family living in Fountain, what are the key considerations when comparing a top-rated public school in District 8 (Fountain-Fort Carson) with the local private school options?
Families in Fountain should consider several local factors. **Public Schools (Fountain-Fort Carson D8)**: Offer no tuition cost, diverse student populations heavily influenced by nearby Fort Carson, and specialized programs like the "International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme" at Fountain-Fort Carson High School. **Private Schools**: Offer smaller class sizes (e.g., 8:1 student-teacher ratio at Vanguard), specialized curricula (college-prep, therapeutic, or faith-based), and often more resources per student. A major consideration is transportation; private schools rarely provide bus service from Fountain, requiring a commute to Colorado Springs for Vanguard and St. Mary's, or to the east side of Fountain for Fountain Valley. The decision often hinges on whether a child needs a specific, tailored educational approach that the public system may not provide, balanced against the financial investment and commute.
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