The Best Private Schools in Golden, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Golden. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ralston Valley Montessori
Independent
Ralston Valley Montessori serves families throughout the Golden area with its authentic Montessori approach. The school offers a comprehensive education from early childhood through middle school, emphasizing individualized learning, hands-on materials, and development of the whole child. With small class sizes and AMI-trained teachers, the school provides a nurturing environment that fosters independence, critical thinking, and social responsibility. The campus features modern Montessori classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and specialized areas for practical life activities. Parents consistently praise the school's dedicated faculty and the remarkable academic and personal growth they observe in their children.
Programs:
St. Mary's Academy
Independent Catholic School
St. Mary's Academy is a highly respected independent Catholic school that draws students from Golden and throughout the Denver metro area. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum from preschool through 12th grade, with particular strengths in STEM education, fine arts, and character development. The 26-acre campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, athletic facilities, and technology-rich classrooms. With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, students receive personalized attention and support. The school's long history of academic excellence is reflected in its 100% college acceptance rate and numerous National Merit Scholars.
Programs:
Kent Denver School
Independent
Kent Denver School serves the Golden community as one of the top-ranked independent schools in Colorado. The school provides a challenging academic environment with extensive Advanced Placement offerings, innovative programs in entrepreneurship and global studies, and outstanding arts and athletics. The 220-acre campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated spaces for innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to developing ethical leaders, Kent Denver emphasizes community service, honor principles, and character education. The school maintains small class sizes and boasts exceptional college placement results, with graduates regularly attending top-tier universities nationwide.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Golden, Colorado
What are the main private school options available for families living in Golden, Colorado, and are they located within the city or in nearby areas?
Golden itself has a limited number of private schools within its immediate city limits, with Ralston Valley Montessori being a notable local option. Most families in Golden look to surrounding communities for additional prestigious choices. These include St. Mary's Academy in Englewood (a PreK-12 Catholic school) and Kent Denver School in Cherry Hills Village (a 6-12 independent college-preparatory school), both within a 20-30 minute commute. This means Golden residents have access to a range of educational philosophies—Montessori, faith-based, and rigorous college-prep—by being part of the broader Denver metro area.
How does tuition at private schools serving Golden, CO, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the top private schools accessible to Golden families is generally at or above the Colorado private school average. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $12,000-$15,000 for elementary grades at schools like Ralston Valley Montessori to over $30,000 for upper grades at Kent Denver School. Importantly, Colorado has the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit," which can benefit donors to scholarship funds. All major schools offer robust need-based financial aid programs. For instance, Kent Denver and St. Mary's Academy award millions in aid annually, making them more accessible to qualified students from Golden, regardless of family income.
Given Golden's identity as a hub for science and engineering (home to the Colorado School of Mines and NREL), do local private schools offer specialized STEM programs?
Absolutely. Private schools in the Golden area leverage the city's unique scientific ecosystem to enhance their STEM offerings. St. Mary's Academy features a dedicated STEM Institute with advanced research opportunities, while Kent Denver School has strong engineering and computer science pathways, often incorporating field studies and guest lectures from local institutions. Even at the Montessori level, Ralston Valley Montessori emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based science. Many schools facilitate partnerships with the Colorado School of Mines for student projects or mentorship, providing a distinct advantage not found in all private school markets.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Denver metro area that Golden families apply to?
The timeline is critical and requires early planning. For schools like Kent Denver and St. Mary's Academy, the process for the following fall begins a full year in advance. Key steps include: attending open houses (September-November), submitting applications (typically due in January), completing student visits/assessments (January-February), and receiving decisions (mid-March). Financial aid applications run concurrently. Because these schools draw from the entire Denver metro, including Golden, spaces are competitive, especially in entry grades (PreK, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th). We recommend Golden families start research and tours in the fall.
For families considering the highly-rated Jefferson County Public Schools in Golden, what are the primary reasons to also consider a private school?
While JeffCo Public Schools are well-regarded, Golden families often choose private options for specific reasons: 1) **Specialized Educational Philosophies:** Such as the child-led, individualized learning at Ralston Valley Montessori. 2) **Smaller Class Sizes and Community:** Private schools often offer significantly lower student-to-teacher ratios. 3) **Mission-Driven Education:** For example, the values-based, college-prep environment at St. Mary's Academy or the intensive college counseling at Kent Denver. 4) **Program Consistency:** Private schools are not subject to the same district-wide budget or policy shifts that can affect public school programs. The choice often comes down to seeking a specific learning environment or community alignment beyond the excellent baseline provided by JeffCo.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Fit: A Guide to Private Special Education Schools in Golden, CO
For parents in Golden, Colorado, embarking on the journey to find the right educational environment for a child with unique learning needs, the search for "private special education schools near me" can feel both urgent and overwhelming. The good news is that the Denver metropolitan area, with Golden at its heart, offers a supportive and diverse landscape of specialized options. While Golden itself is home to several excellent traditional private schools like Ralston Valley Montessori, St. Mary's Academy, and Kent Denver School, it’s important to understand that these institutions typically offer learning support within a mainstream setting rather than a dedicated, full-spectrum special education program. Your search will likely extend into neighboring communities, but this brings access to some of the region's most respected specialized schools.
The first step is to clearly define your child's specific needs. Are you looking for a school specializing in dyslexia and language-based learning differences, autism spectrum disorder support, social-emotional learning, or other developmental challenges? This clarity is crucial because Colorado boasts several top-tier, mission-specific schools a reasonable commute from Golden. For instance, schools like The Joshua School in Englewood or The Anchor Center for Blind Children in Denver are renowned for their focused, therapeutic approaches. Many families find that the commute from Golden to these specialized centers in Lakewood, Littleton, or Denver is manageable and well worth the exceptional, tailored education their child receives.
When researching, look beyond the phrase "private special education schools near me" and delve into the specifics of each program’s philosophy, student-to-teacher ratios, therapeutic integration, and transition planning. A key local consideration is the interplay between private placement and your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Jefferson County Public Schools, which serves Golden, may provide funding or transportation assistance through a contract with an approved private special education school if it’s determined the district cannot meet the child’s needs. This process, known as a "out-of-district placement," is an important conversation to have with your Jeffco school district team.
Furthermore, the community in Golden and the surrounding foothills is rich with resources. Connecting with local parent advocacy groups or the Colorado Department of Education’s Exceptional Student Services unit can provide invaluable guidance and recommendations. While you may not find a dedicated private special education school within Golden’s city limits, your location positions you within a hub of exceptional options. The journey involves mapping your child’s unique profile to the specialized programs scattered throughout the western Denver suburbs. It requires visits, detailed questions, and trust in your instincts, but the outcome—a school where your child is understood, challenged, and empowered—is the ultimate goal. The path starts with defining needs, leveraging local resources, and exploring the profound expertise available just a short drive from your doorstep in Golden.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities