The Best Private Schools in Morrison, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Morrison. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Colorado Academy
Independent
Colorado Academy is a top-ranked independent school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, located approximately 12 miles from Morrison. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement options and maintains a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The 94-acre campus features state-of-the-art academic buildings, extensive arts facilities including dedicated studios and theaters, and comprehensive athletic facilities. Colorado Academy is particularly noted for its balanced approach to education, emphasizing academic rigor alongside arts, athletics, and community engagement. The school consistently achieves high college placement rates and maintains strong parent satisfaction ratings.
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Kent Denver School
Independent
Kent Denver is a highly-regarded co-educational independent school serving grades 6-12, located just 15 minutes from Morrison. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes averaging 12 students. Notable features include state-of-the-art science and technology facilities, comprehensive arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The 220-acre campus provides extensive facilities including a new innovation lab, performing arts center, and athletic complex. Kent Denver consistently sends graduates to top-tier universities and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence.
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St. Mary's Academy
Independent
St. Mary's Academy is a prestigious independent school serving students from preschool through 12th grade, located approximately 10 miles from Morrison. The school offers the International Baccalaureate program at all levels and is known for its strong academic reputation. Features include dedicated STEM labs, extensive arts facilities, and competitive athletic programs. The 26-acre campus includes modern classrooms, science centers, and athletic fields. St. Mary's emphasizes global citizenship and character education while maintaining small class sizes and personalized attention for students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Morrison, Colorado
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Morrison, Colorado, and how accessible are they?
While Morrison itself is a small town with limited on-site private institutions, families in Morrison commonly consider several prestigious nearby schools in the Denver metro area. The most frequently referenced are Kent Denver School (in Englewood, about 20 minutes east), Colorado Academy (in Lakewood, about 15-20 minutes southeast), and St. Mary's Academy (also in Englewood). These schools are easily accessible via I-70 and C-470. Many families in Morrison form carpools to manage the commute. There are also smaller parochial and independent options in surrounding Jefferson County, but the three listed are the most prominent day schools drawing from the Morrison area.
How does tuition at top private schools near Morrison, CO, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typical?
Tuition at schools like Kent Denver, Colorado Academy, and St. Mary's Academy is significant, often ranging from approximately $30,000 to $38,000 per year for upper grades, which is above the Colorado private school average. These schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust need-based financial aid programs. It's common for 20-30% of the student body to receive aid. Colorado also has the "Child Care Contribution Credit" for donations to scholarship funds for low-income students, which supports some financial aid pools. Families in Morrison should apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are allocated early.
Given Morrison's mountain-town character, do nearby private schools offer specialized programs in environmental science, outdoor education, or sustainability?
Absolutely. The private schools serving Morrison leverage Colorado's natural landscape. Colorado Academy has a renowned Wilderness Program integrated into its curriculum. Kent Denver School emphasizes sustainability with a campus garden and related coursework. St. Mary's Academy incorporates outdoor and experiential learning. These programs are a significant draw for Morrison families who value outdoor access. Schools often utilize the nearby foothills, parks like Red Rocks, and even mountain campuses for retreats and scientific fieldwork, blending rigorous academics with the local environment.
What is the enrollment timeline and key admission considerations for competitive private schools in the Morrison, CO, area?
The admission process for the top-tier schools near Morrison is highly structured and begins early. The primary application deadline is typically in January for the following academic year, with assessments, student visits, and interviews occurring in the fall and winter. Key considerations include strong academic records, teacher recommendations, and student essays. For Morrison families, demonstrating an interest in and ability to manage the commute is sometimes informally assessed. Sibling and legacy preferences exist but are not guarantees. It is crucial to start the process 12-18 months in advance, especially for middle and high school entry points.
How do the class sizes and educational approaches of private schools near Morrison differ from the highly-rated public schools in the Jefferson County R-1 district?
Jefferson County public schools, including those serving Morrison, are generally well-regarded. The key differentiators for private options are smaller class sizes (often 12-18 students vs. 25+ in public), more individualized attention, and distinct educational philosophies. For example, Colorado Academy and Kent Denver offer extensive arts, athletics, and advanced curricula without district funding constraints. The private school experience is often more cohesive from preschool through 12th grade, whereas public schooling in Morrison may involve transitions between specific schools. The choice often comes down to a desire for a specific community, religious affiliation (at St. Mary's), or specialized programs not available in the public system, balanced against the cost of tuition.
Private Education Insights
Discovering the Best Private Boarding Schools for Morrison, Colorado Families
For families in Morrison, the decision to explore private education often leads to a conversation about community, values, and the right environment for a child to thrive. While our local area is fortunate to have exceptional day schools like Kent Denver School, St. Mary’s Academy, and Colorado Academy, some families begin to consider a broader horizon, including the unique world of private boarding schools. This path, while different from the daily commute to Cherry Hills Village or Englewood, can offer a transformative educational experience that aligns with the values many Morrison parents seek: rigorous academics, character development, and a tight-knit community, all within a structured residential setting.
The consideration of a private boarding school often stems from a desire for a deeply immersive learning environment. The 24/7 campus life fosters unparalleled independence, time-management skills, and resilience—traits highly valued by parents who appreciate Morrison’s own blend of mountain self-reliance and suburban sophistication. For a student passionate about specialized arts, sciences, or athletics, a boarding school can provide facilities and focused mentorship that are difficult to replicate locally. It’s an extension of the personalized attention found at our top local private schools, but with the added dimension of living alongside peers and faculty, turning learning into a holistic life experience.
However, the logistics for a Morrison family are distinct. The choice inherently means less daily involvement in your child’s routine, which is a significant emotional and practical shift. It requires trust in the institution’s community to provide the support and guidance you would. Fortunately, Colorado and the broader Rocky Mountain region are home to several prestigious boarding options, making visits and even occasional weekend trips home more feasible than a coast-to-coast arrangement. Schools like the Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs or the Telluride Mountain School offer programs that resonate with our Colorado ethos, emphasizing outdoor education and environmental stewardship alongside academic rigor.
Financially, private boarding schools represent a substantial investment, often exceeding the tuition of local day schools when room and board are factored in. It’s crucial to investigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities thoroughly, as many schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity. The process also involves candid family discussions. Is your child self-motivated and socially adaptable? Will they thrive in, rather than simply cope with, a residential setting? These are the core questions that move the decision beyond academics.
Ultimately, exploring private boarding schools is not a rejection of the excellent opportunities in Morrison but an expansion of them. It’s about finding the perfect fit for a child who might need a different kind of challenge or community to fully ignite their potential. For families who value the strong foundations found in our local private institutions but are curious about a fully immersive path, the boarding school model presents a compelling, life-shaping alternative worth thoughtful consideration. The journey begins with research, campus visits, and honest conversations, ensuring that if you choose this route, it’s a decision made with confidence and clarity for your child’s future.
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