The Best Private Schools in Johnstown, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Johnstown. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Resurrection Christian School
Resurrection Christian School
Resurrection Christian School is a highly-regarded Christian private school located just minutes from Johnstown in Loveland. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, the school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on both academic excellence and spiritual development. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and has a strong track record of college placements. Extracurricular programs include competitive athletics, fine arts, and various clubs.
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Ridgeview Classical Schools
Ridgeview Classical Schools
Ridgeview Classical Schools is a nationally recognized classical charter school serving the northern Colorado region, including Johnstown families. The school follows a rigorous classical curriculum emphasizing great books, Socratic dialogue, and traditional liberal arts education. Serving grades K-12, Ridgeview consistently ranks among Colorado's top schools for academic achievement and test scores. The curriculum includes mandatory Latin instruction, advanced mathematics, and comprehensive humanities programs. The school features a dedicated campus with specialized classrooms, library resources, and athletic facilities, drawing students from across the region for its academic excellence.
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University Schools
University Schools
University Schools is a comprehensive K-12 charter school serving northern Colorado communities including Johnstown. The school offers a diverse academic program featuring both traditional college preparatory tracks and specialized pathways including STEM Academy and International Baccalaureate programs. The campus includes state-of-the-art science labs, technology centers, performing arts facilities, and athletic complexes. University Schools emphasizes personalized learning with advisory programs and maintains strong college acceptance rates. The school serves as a regional educational hub with transportation options available for students from surrounding communities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Johnstown, Colorado
What are the primary private school options serving families in Johnstown, Colorado, and are they located in Johnstown or nearby?
While Johnstown itself has a limited number of standalone private campuses, families commonly consider schools in the broader Northern Colorado region. Notable options include Resurrection Christian School in Loveland (about a 15-minute drive), which offers a Christian-based education from preschool through 12th grade. Ridgeview Classical Schools in Fort Collins (a K-12 classical liberal arts charter school, often considered a private-like option) and University Schools, also in Greeley/Fort Collins, are other prominent choices. Many Johnstown residents commute to these schools, making transportation an important local consideration.
How does Colorado's school choice and voucher system impact private school affordability for Johnstown families?
Colorado offers several programs that can reduce the cost of private education. The most significant is the Colorado Choice Scholarship Program, a tax credit scholarship for students from low- and middle-income families that can be used at participating private schools, including some in the area. Additionally, the state has a robust open enrollment policy, but this primarily applies to public and charter schools. For private schools like Resurrection Christian, financial aid and tuition assistance are often available directly from the institution. It's crucial for Johnstown parents to research each school's specific financial policies and apply for aid early.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Johnstown, CO, that differ from local public schools?
Schools in the region offer distinct specializations. Resurrection Christian School emphasizes faith integration, competitive athletics, and STEM programs within a Christian worldview. Ridgeview Classical Schools (Fort Collins) provides a unique, rigorous classical education model centered on the Great Books, logic, and Latin, which is rare in public districts. University Schools is known for its accelerated college-preparatory curriculum and early college credit opportunities through partnerships with local universities. These programs offer alternatives to the Johnstown-Milliken RE-5J public school curriculum, often with smaller class sizes and specific pedagogical approaches.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Resurrection Christian that serve the Johnstown community?
Timelines are school-specific but generally follow an annual cycle. For most Northern Colorado private schools, the application window for the following academic year opens in the fall or early winter (October-January), with deadlines often in February or March. The process typically includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and possibly an entrance assessment. For popular schools, waiting pools can form quickly, so Johnstown parents are advised to begin inquiries a full year in advance. Some schools may have rolling admissions if space allows, but early application is strongly recommended.
For a family living in Johnstown, what are the key practical considerations when choosing between the local public schools and a private school in a neighboring city?
The decision involves several local factors. First is **commute time and transportation**—attending a private school in Loveland, Fort Collins, or Greeley requires a daily drive of 15-45 minutes, which impacts family logistics and costs. Second is **community connection**—children may have friends in different towns, affecting social life and extracurricular participation. Third is **cost**—weighing private tuition against the no-cost public option, considering available scholarships. Finally, consider the **educational fit**: Johnstown public schools offer a standard curriculum with local community ties, while private options provide specific religious, classical, or accelerated pathways. Many families visit both their local Johnstown public school and their top private choices to compare environments directly.
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