The Best Private Schools in Manitou Springs, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Manitou Springs. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Colorado Springs School
Independent School
The Colorado Springs School is a prestigious independent day school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located just minutes from Manitou Springs, CSS offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with distinctive programs including International Baccalaureate, extensive outdoor education, and experiential learning. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and a 28-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. CSS emphasizes character development and global citizenship while maintaining strong college placement records.
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Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Independent Boarding & Day School
Fountain Valley School is a highly respected independent boarding and day school serving the Colorado Springs region, including Manitou Springs. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with exceptional academic, athletic, and arts programs. Situated on a 1,100-acre campus, FVS features outstanding facilities including modern classrooms, science centers, arts studios, and extensive athletic facilities. The school is known for its diverse student body, strong teacher-student relationships, and unique programs like their renowned equestrian program and outdoor education. With a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, students receive personalized attention.
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St. Mary's High School
Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs
St. Mary's High School is Colorado Springs' oldest Catholic college preparatory school, serving families from Manitou Springs and the broader Pikes Peak region. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with strong emphasis on STEM education, humanities, and faith formation. St. Mary's features modern facilities including advanced science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for academic excellence with 100% college acceptance rates. Extracurricular programs include competitive athletics, performing arts, and community service opportunities, all within a values-based educational environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Manitou Springs, Colorado
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and what are their key characteristics?
While Manitou Springs itself has limited on-site private K-12 institutions, families commonly look to several prestigious nearby schools in Colorado Springs. The top options include The Colorado Springs School (K-12, known for its experiential, college-prep curriculum and block scheduling), Fountain Valley School of Colorado (9-12, a boarding and day school with a strong focus on global engagement and outdoor education), and St. Mary's High School (9-12, a Catholic, co-ed college preparatory school). Many families in Manitou Springs also consider independent schools like The Vanguard School or Montessori programs in the region. The commute to these schools from Manitou Springs is typically 15-25 minutes, offering a blend of mountain-town living with access to robust private education.
How does tuition for private schools in the Manitou Springs, Colorado area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition ranges from approximately $15,000 to $25,000+ annually. St. Mary's High School is generally on the lower end of this spectrum for a high school program, while Fountain Valley School and The Colorado Springs School are at the higher end, reflecting their extensive facilities and programs. All major schools offer need-based financial aid, and some, like St. Mary's, have parish subsidy programs. Colorado also has state-sponsored scholarship opportunities like the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) for private school students, and many schools participate in the Children's Scholarship Fund. It's crucial to apply for financial aid early, as deadlines often precede admission decisions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Manitou Springs, CO, offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools in this region uniquely integrate the Colorado landscape and culture into their programs. Fountain Valley School has a renowned Horsemanship program and utilizes the nearby mountains for outdoor education and trips. The Colorado Springs School emphasizes "place-based learning," with frequent field studies to local sites like Garden of the Gods, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and Pikes Peak for science, history, and art classes. Many schools also have strong environmental science programs that take advantage of the diverse ecosystems along the Front Range. This focus on experiential, outdoor learning is a defining characteristic of private education in the Pikes Peak region, offering students an education deeply connected to their community and environment.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools serving Manitou Springs, Colorado families?
The admission process for competitive private schools like Fountain Valley, The Colorado Springs School, and St. Mary's High School is similar and requires advanced planning. The timeline typically begins in the fall (September-October) a full year before desired entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in October-November), submitting applications by January/February deadlines, completing student interviews and visits, and taking standardized tests like the SSAT or ISEE. Financial aid applications are usually due concurrently with admission applications. Admission decisions are released in March, with enrollment contracts due in April. For families in Manitou Springs, it's highly recommended to start research and campus visits in the spring or summer prior to application, as spaces, especially in specific grades, can be limited.
For a family considering both the Manitou Springs public school district and private options, what are the key comparative factors specific to this Colorado community?
The decision involves weighing distinct educational models and community investment. The Manitou Springs School District 14 is well-regarded, smaller, and offers a public IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Programme at the high school—a rare offering. Choosing the local public schools means full community integration and no tuition. The private options, however, often provide smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, distinct pedagogical approaches (like Montessori or progressive experiential learning), and specialized college counseling. A practical factor for Manitou Springs residents is the daily commute to private schools in Colorado Springs versus walking or a short drive to district schools. Furthermore, private schools may offer more consistency in programming, as they are not subject to Colorado public school funding fluctuations and ballot measures. The choice often comes down to a family's priority on a specific educational philosophy versus the community-centric, tuition-free IB path available locally.
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