The Best Private Schools in Hillside, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hillside. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Graland Country Day School
Independent
Graland Country Day School is a highly respected independent school serving the Denver metropolitan area, including Hillside. With a 96-year legacy of educational excellence, the school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program emphasizing academic rigor, character development, and experiential learning. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. Graland's curriculum integrates advanced STEM education with robust arts programs and competitive athletics. The school maintains small class sizes with a 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, and strong community values that prepare students for success in high school and beyond.
Programs:
St. Anne's Episcopal School
Episcopal
St. Anne's Episcopal School is a premier independent school located in Denver that serves families throughout the metro area, including Hillside. The school offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for Pre-K through 8th grade students, providing a globally-focused education. The 14-acre campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, art studios, and extensive athletic facilities. St. Anne's emphasizes character education, community service, and outdoor learning through its unique mountain campus program. The school maintains a diverse student body and offers comprehensive extracurricular programs including competitive sports, music, theater, and robotics. Parents consistently highlight the school's strong academic foundation, inclusive community, and excellent preparation for secondary education.
Programs:
Kent Denver School
Independent
Kent Denver School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving students from Hillside and throughout the Denver metropolitan area. The school offers a rigorous academic program for grades 6-12 on a beautiful 220-acre campus featuring state-of-the-art science and innovation centers, performing arts facilities, and athletic complexes. Kent Denver's curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and interdisciplinary learning with advanced STEM research opportunities and comprehensive arts programs. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top universities nationwide. With small class sizes averaging 15 students and a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Kent Denver provides personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. Parents consistently praise the school's academic excellence, supportive community, and outstanding college counseling program.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hillside, Colorado
What are the top private school options available in Hillside, Colorado, and what are their educational philosophies?
Hillside, Colorado, is home to several highly-regarded private schools, each with a distinct approach. Graland Country Day School is known for its progressive, experiential learning model that emphasizes critical thinking and character development. St. Anne's Episcopal School offers a balanced program rooted in Episcopal values, focusing on academic rigor within a supportive community. Kent Denver School provides a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with strong arts and athletics programs. While these are the most prominent, exploring schools in neighboring Denver suburbs may expand your options, as Hillside itself is a smaller community within the greater metro area.
How does tuition at Hillside, Colorado private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at top private schools in the Hillside/Denver metro area is generally above the Colorado state average for private education. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at schools like Graland, St. Anne's, and Kent Denver often ranges from approximately $30,000 to $38,000 for upper grades. Colorado has limited state-level voucher or tax credit programs for private education, so financial assistance is primarily offered directly by the schools through need-based financial aid. These schools typically have substantial endowment funds dedicated to aid, and it's crucial to apply for financial aid concurrently with admission to be considered.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Hillside-area private schools offer that leverage Colorado's environment and culture?
Private schools in the Hillside region uniquely integrate Colorado's landscape and ethos into their programs. Many, including Graland and Kent Denver, have robust outdoor education programs that utilize the nearby Rocky Mountains for leadership trips, environmental science, and skiing. Sustainability and environmental science are often emphasized in curricula, reflecting Colorado's values. Furthermore, schools may offer specialized programs in fields like aerospace engineering or entrepreneurship, tapping into the state's tech and startup sectors. This local connection provides students with hands-on learning opportunities that are distinctly Coloradan.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in Hillside, Colorado?
The admission process for Hillside-area private schools is highly structured and begins early. For kindergarten entry, the process often starts 12-18 months in advance, with open houses in the fall prior to the desired enrollment year. Application deadlines are typically in January, followed by assessments and play-based observations for younger children, and student visits/interviews for older applicants. Notification dates are usually in mid-March. Given the competitive nature of schools like Graland, St. Anne's, and Kent Denver, it is highly recommended to engage with schools through tours and events well before the deadline to demonstrate genuine interest.
For families considering both, what are key differences between the public schools in Hillside, Colorado, and the local private school options?
The key differences lie in class size, curricular flexibility, and resources. Hillside public schools are part of the larger county district, offering a standardized curriculum with potentially larger class sizes. The premier private schools in the area offer significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for more individualized attention. They also have the autonomy to design innovative curricula without state testing mandates, often leading to more project-based and interdisciplinary learning. However, this comes at a high financial cost, whereas public schools are tuition-free. Private schools may also have more extensive facilities (theaters, labs, fields) funded through tuition and philanthropy, but they lack the diverse socioeconomic and cultural mix typically found in a public school setting.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities