The Best Private Schools in Littleton, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Littleton. 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 respected independent school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located just minutes from Littleton in Englewood, the school offers a rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum with exceptional college preparation. The 25-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. Students consistently achieve top test scores and gain admission to prestigious universities nationwide.
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Kent Denver School
Kent Denver School
Kent Denver School is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the Littleton area with a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. The school offers a challenging curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement opportunities and comprehensive arts and athletic programs. The 220-acre campus features modern academic buildings, performing arts facilities, and extensive athletic fields. Kent Denver emphasizes community engagement and ethical leadership, with a diverse student body and dedicated faculty who provide personalized attention. The school maintains strong college placement records and offers robust extracurricular opportunities.
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Colorado Academy
Colorado Academy
Colorado Academy is a distinguished independent school serving the Littleton and Denver metropolitan area with a century-long tradition of educational excellence. The school offers a comprehensive PreK-12 program with advanced college preparatory curriculum, extensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The 94-acre campus features modern academic facilities, performing arts centers, science laboratories, and extensive athletic complexes. Colorado Academy emphasizes experiential learning, character development, and global awareness, with small class sizes and a student-teacher ratio that ensures personalized attention. The school consistently produces graduates who attend top-tier colleges and universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Littleton, Colorado
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Littleton, Colorado, and how do their educational philosophies differ?
Littleton, Colorado, is served by several prestigious private schools, though many of the most prominent are located in nearby Denver suburbs. Top-tier options accessible to Littleton families include **Kent Denver School** in Englewood (a college-prep school with a strong arts and athletics balance), **Colorado Academy** in Denver (known for its progressive, experiential learning approach), and **St. Mary's Academy** in Englewood (a Catholic, all-girls school with a rigorous IB curriculum). Within Littleton proper, you'll find smaller parochial and independent schools, such as St. Mary Catholic School (K-8) and Highline Academy Southeast (a public charter with a private school feel). The key difference lies in philosophy: from faith-based and classical to progressive and college-preparatory, allowing parents to choose based on their child's learning style and family values.
How does tuition at private schools in the Littleton, CO, area compare, and what financial aid or payment options are typically available?
Tuition for major private schools near Littleton is significant, reflecting Colorado's competitive educational landscape. For the 2024-2025 school year, high school tuition at Kent Denver and Colorado Academy exceeds $35,000 annually, while St. Mary's Academy is slightly lower. K-8 programs are generally less, often in the $20,000-$28,000 range. Importantly, Colorado has a unique funding mechanism: most of these schools offer robust need-based financial aid, funded through endowments and annual fundraising. Many also participate in the **Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit**, which incentivizes donations for tuition assistance. Payment plans (10- or 12-month) are standard. It's crucial to apply for financial aid concurrently with admissions, as funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Littleton-area private schools offer that leverage Colorado's environment and culture?
Private schools in the Littleton/Denver metro area excel at integrating Colorado's unique geography and culture into their programs. Many, like **Colorado Academy** and **Kent Denver**, have extensive outdoor education programs, including mandatory wilderness trips, rock climbing, and ski/snowboard outings that utilize the nearby Rocky Mountains. Sustainability and environmental science are strong focuses, with hands-on projects related to water conservation and ecology relevant to the arid Front Range. Furthermore, several schools have robust engineering and entrepreneurship programs that connect with Colorado's thriving tech and aerospace industries, offering partnerships with local companies. This blend of outdoor experiential learning and STEM innovation is a hallmark of the region's top private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools serving Littleton, Colorado families?
The admissions timeline for sought-after Denver-area private schools is early and structured. The process typically begins **12-18 months** before desired enrollment. Key dates include: Open Houses (August-October), Application Deadlines (early January for the following fall), Student Visits/Interviews (Fall/Winter), and Admission Decisions released (mid-March). For Littleton families, it's vital to plan for potential entrance testing (ISEE or SSAT) in the fall. Many schools also consider "demonstrated interest," so attending tours and events is important. Given the competitive nature, especially for middle and high school entry points (6th and 9th grades), starting early is strongly advised. Sibling and legacy applicants often have priority, but are not guaranteed admission.
For families considering the choice, how do the academic and community environments of Littleton's top private schools compare to the highly-rated Littleton Public Schools (LPS) district?
This is a central consideration for Littleton families. **Littleton Public Schools (LPS)** is consistently ranked among Colorado's top public districts, offering excellent academics, athletics, and arts at no tuition cost. The choice often hinges on specific needs and preferences. Private schools like Kent Denver or Colorado Academy typically offer smaller class sizes (10-15 students vs. 25+ in LPS), more individualized attention, and distinct educational philosophies (e.g., International Baccalaureate at St. Mary's). They may also provide more specialized programs in arts, technology, or outdoor education. However, LPS offers extensive Advanced Placement (AP) courses, strong extracurriculars, and the community familiarity of neighborhood schools. The decision often comes down to seeking a specific pedagogical approach, religious education, or a smaller community environment versus the comprehensive, tuition-free option of a top-tier public district.
Private Education Insights
Discovering the Best Private Boarding Schools for Littleton, Colorado Families
For families in Littleton, the journey to find the right educational environment for their child often leads to exploring the excellent local private day schools like St. Mary’s Academy, Kent Denver School, and Colorado Academy. These institutions offer rigorous academics, close-knit communities, and a wealth of extracurriculars right in our backyard. However, as you consider all avenues for your child’s growth, you might also be looking beyond the Denver metro area at the unique opportunities presented by private boarding schools. This option, while requiring more distance, can be a transformative choice for the right student, offering benefits that extend far beyond the classroom.
The concept of a private boarding school might seem geographically distant from life here in Littleton, with our focus on community and mountain-access living. Yet, for some students, the structured, immersive environment of a boarding school can be the perfect catalyst for independence and profound academic engagement. These schools provide a 24/7 learning community where education isn’t confined to school hours. Students learn time management, self-advocacy, and resilience alongside peers and mentors, often in settings with exceptional facilities for the arts, sciences, and athletics that rival small colleges. For a Littleton student passionate about a specific field—be it advanced STEM research, classical music, or equestrian sports—a boarding school can offer specialized programs that are harder to find locally.
When considering this path, Colorado parents have a distinct advantage. Several prestigious boarding schools are located within a manageable distance in the Rocky Mountain region or the West Coast, making family visits and long weekends home more feasible than an East Coast option. Furthermore, the ethos of many of these schools aligns with Colorado values: an emphasis on outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and a healthy, active lifestyle. Your child could trade an afternoon of Front Range hiking for one in the Wasatch or Cascade mountains, maintaining that vital connection to the outdoors that is central to so many of our lives here.
The decision between a top-tier Littleton day school and a boarding school is deeply personal. It hinges on your child’s readiness for a high level of independence and their specific academic or personal goals. If you are intrigued, we recommend starting the exploration early. Attend virtual open houses, plan visits to a few campuses, and speak candidly with your child about the social and emotional aspects of living away from home. For a student who is highly motivated, seeks unparalleled academic depth, and is ready to embrace a global community, a private boarding school can be an investment that shapes their character and future in remarkable ways. It’s about finding the ecosystem where your child will not just learn, but truly thrive.
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