The Best Private Schools in Montrose, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Montrose. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Telluride Mountain School
Independent School
Telluride Mountain School is a highly-regarded independent school serving the Western Colorado region, including Montrose families. The school offers a rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum combined with extensive outdoor education programs. With small class sizes and exceptional teacher-student ratios, the school emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and environmental stewardship. The college preparatory program boasts 100% college acceptance rates, and the outdoor education component includes regular expeditions in the San Juan Mountains. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with a focus on developing well-rounded, globally-minded individuals.
Programs:
St. Mary Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Pueblo
St. Mary Catholic School is Montrose's premier local private school offering a comprehensive Catholic classical education from preschool through 8th grade. The school features a strong academic foundation with integrated faith formation, modern STEM facilities, and comprehensive fine arts programs. With deep roots in the Montrose community, the school maintains small class sizes and personalized attention. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, moral development, and academic excellence, preparing students for success in high school and beyond. The school campus includes modern classrooms, a dedicated science lab, and extensive athletic facilities.
Programs:
Caprock Academy
Public Charter School (tuition-free private alternative)
Caprock Academy is a highly-rated classical charter school serving students from across Western Colorado, including many from Montrose. While technically a public charter school, it functions as a private school alternative with rigorous admissions and high academic standards. The school offers a comprehensive classical education model from kindergarten through 12th grade, emphasizing great books, Socratic dialogue, and traditional academic disciplines. The college preparatory program features Advanced Placement courses, and the character education component focuses on developing virtuous citizens. Many Montrose families choose Caprock for its exceptional academic reputation and structured learning environment.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Montrose, Colorado
What are the main private school options available for families living in Montrose, Colorado, and do they cover all grade levels?
Montrose offers a few distinct private school options, each with its own focus. St. Mary Catholic School is a long-standing PK-8 institution providing faith-based education. Caprock Academy is a public charter school with a classical curriculum, serving grades K-12, and is a popular choice for families seeking a structured, tuition-free alternative (though charter schools are technically public, they are often considered alongside private options). For a specialized, independent prep school experience, the Telluride Mountain School, located about an hour away in Telluride, serves grades PreK-12 and is known for its place-based and experiential learning, though it involves a significant commute. Notably, there is no traditional, non-religious private high school within Montrose city limits, so families seeking that for grades 9-12 often look at Caprock, Telluride Mountain School, or boarding schools further afield.
How does tuition for private schools in the Montrose, Colorado area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Colorado?
Tuition in the Montrose area varies widely. St. Mary Catholic School has a structured tuition scale, typically ranging from several thousand dollars per year, with parishioner discounts. As a charter school, Caprock Academy is tuition-free. Telluride Mountain School, as an elite independent school, has a significantly higher tuition, comparable to top-tier national private schools. Colorado offers the "Child Care Contribution Credit" for donations to promote child care, which can sometimes be leveraged for preschool programs. More broadly, many Colorado private schools participate in the "ACE Scholarship" program, a state-approved initiative that provides need-based scholarships to lower-income families to attend private schools, which can be a crucial resource for eligible Montrose families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Montrose, CO region offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools in this region uniquely integrate the Western Colorado landscape into their curricula. The Telluride Mountain School is a leader in this, with a robust outdoor education program, winter sports intensives, and a curriculum deeply tied to the San Juan Mountains. Closer to Montrose, Caprock Academy emphasizes a classical, Core Knowledge curriculum with a strong focus on character education and civic responsibility, reflecting a more traditional academic structure. St. Mary Catholic School incorporates its faith-based values across subjects and often participates in community service projects within Montrose. All area schools benefit from proximity to outdoor laboratories like the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which are used for science and field trips.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Montrose, and are there waitlists?
Enrollment processes and timelines differ. For St. Mary Catholic School, enrollment for the upcoming school year often opens in early winter (January/February) for existing families and the broader community, with priority potentially given to parish members and siblings. Caprock Academy, due to its popularity and seat limitations, has a mandatory open enrollment period typically in January, followed by a lottery if applications exceed available space, making timing critical. The Telluride Mountain School has a more rolling admissions process but encourages applications in the winter for the following fall. Given the limited seats, especially at Caprock and in certain grades at St. Mary's, waitlists are common, so initiating inquiries a full year in advance is highly advisable for Montrose-area parents.
For a family considering both public and private options in Montrose, Colorado, what are the key decision factors specific to this community?
In Montrose, the decision often hinges on curriculum philosophy, class size, and grade continuity. The Montrose County School District (RE-1J) offers large, comprehensive public schools with diverse programs and sports. The primary private/charter alternatives offer distinct approaches: a classical, rigorous liberal arts model at Caprock (tuition-free), a faith-based environment at St. Mary's, or an experiential, mountain-focused education at Telluride Mountain School (with a commute). A major practical factor is the lack of a local private high school outside of the charter option, so families must plan for a potential transition after 8th grade. Additionally, the close-knit community feel of the smaller private schools is a significant draw for many, as is the potential for more individualized attention compared to the larger public school classrooms in Montrose.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Private Pre-K Schools in Montrose, Colorado
As a parent in Montrose, Colorado, beginning the search for “private pre k schools near me” marks an exciting and foundational step in your child’s educational journey. This scenic community, nestled against the majestic San Juan Mountains, offers a unique environment where education can be deeply connected to both strong community values and the inspiring natural world. Finding the right early learning environment here means looking for programs that not only prepare young minds academically but also nurture the curiosity and resilience that life in Western Colorado fosters.
Your local search will reveal several excellent options, each with a distinct educational philosophy. For families seeking a faith-based foundation integrated with early academics, St. Mary Catholic School provides a structured, values-oriented pre-kindergarten program right in the heart of Montrose. Its longstanding presence in the community offers a sense of tradition and continuity. Meanwhile, Caprock Academy, a public charter school with a classical curriculum, extends its rigorous educational model to its younger students. Their pre-k program emphasizes phonics and early literacy within a structured framework, appealing to parents who envision a seamless, academically focused path through grade school.
While the specific search for “private pre k schools near me” in Montrose yields these strong local choices, it’s also worthwhile for parents to consider the broader regional landscape. The renowned Telluride Mountain School, though a commute away, represents a premier independent school option that deeply integrates its mountain environment into a progressive, experiential education. For some Montrose families, the drive can be a worthwhile investment for a pre-k experience steeped in outdoor exploration and project-based learning, setting a powerful tone for how education and the natural world intersect.
Beyond curriculum, practical considerations are paramount. When evaluating private pre-k schools in Montrose, inquire about daily schedules that balance play-based learning with gentle academic introduction. Look for programs that leverage our local assets—whether it’s a school garden, outdoor play spaces with views of the Uncompahgre Plateau, or community walks. Consider logistics like drop-off times, after-care options for working parents, and the school’s community feel. Visiting each campus is crucial; you’ll want to sense if the environment feels welcoming and secure, and if the teachers engage with the warmth and attentiveness you desire for your child’s first school experience.
Ultimately, the best choice aligns with your family’s values, your child’s temperament, and your educational goals. The process of researching “private pre k schools near me” in Montrose is about finding a partner in your child’s growth—a place where they can build confidence, social skills, and a joyful love for learning against the beautiful backdrop of our Colorado home. Taking the time to visit, ask questions, and observe will lead you to a program where your preschooler can truly thrive.