The Best Private Schools in Coral Gables, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Coral Gables. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ransom Everglades School
Independent
Ransom Everglades is one of South Florida's most prestigious independent college preparatory schools, serving students in grades 6-12. Founded through the merger of two historic institutions, the school combines rigorous academics with exceptional facilities including waterfront campuses. The school emphasizes honor, scholarship, and community service, with graduates consistently attending top-tier universities. Located just minutes from Coral Gables, it offers extensive athletic programs, state-of-the-art science labs, and a comprehensive arts curriculum.
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Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart is an independent Catholic school for girls in grades pre-K through 12, located adjacent to Coral Gables in historic Coconut Grove. As part of the international Network of Sacred Heart Schools, Carrollton provides a rigorous college preparatory education grounded in spiritual values and global awareness. The school features beautiful campus facilities, including modern science labs, art studios, athletic fields, and historic buildings. Carrollton emphasizes leadership development, community service, and academic excellence, with graduates consistently accepted to prestigious universities nationwide.
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Gulliver Prep
Gulliver Schools
Gulliver Preparatory School is a highly respected independent day school serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. With a sprawling 24-acre campus just west of Coral Gables, the school offers both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs. Known for its diverse student body and exceptional college placement, Gulliver features state-of-the-art facilities including science and innovation centers, performing arts theaters, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes and offers over 100 extracurricular activities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Coral Gables, Florida
What are the main types of private schools available in Coral Gables, Florida, and how do they differ?
Coral Gables offers a diverse range of prestigious private schools, primarily categorized as independent college-preparatory schools and faith-based institutions. Top-tier independents like Ransom Everglades School and Gulliver Prep are known for rigorous academics, extensive AP/IB programs, and strong athletic and arts offerings. Schools like Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart provide a single-sex, faith-based education within a national network. Additionally, Coral Gables has several respected Catholic and Episcopal K-12 schools. The key differences lie in educational philosophy (e.g., experiential learning at Ransom Everglades vs. the Sacred Heart goals at Carrollton), campus settings (urban vs. suburban), and religious affiliation.
How does tuition for top private schools in Coral Gables, FL, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition at premier Coral Gables private schools is among the highest in Florida. For the 2024-2025 academic year, high school tuition at schools like Ransom Everglades and Gulliver Prep often exceeds $45,000, significantly above the state's private school average. This reflects their extensive facilities, low student-to-teacher ratios, and location in an affluent market. However, most of these schools offer substantial need-based financial aid, with some awarding millions annually. Florida also offers state-sponsored programs like the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, which can provide eligible families with significant tuition assistance for participating private schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are signature to Coral Gables private schools due to their South Florida location?
Coral Gables private schools leverage their South Florida setting for distinctive programs. Ransom Everglades is renowned for its mandatory marine science and sailing programs, utilizing its Biscayne Bay waterfront campus. Gulliver Prep offers a specialized Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, tapping into Miami's global industry. Several schools, including Carrollton, have robust global studies and language immersion programs (especially in Spanish), reflecting the city's international character. Furthermore, proximity to the University of Miami and other cultural institutions allows for advanced research partnerships, internships, and access to world-class arts venues rarely available elsewhere.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in Coral Gables, and how can parents prepare?
The admission process for Coral Gables' top private schools is highly competitive and begins early. Key steps include: 1) **Initial Inquiry (Spring before desired year):** Attend open houses (often a year in advance). 2) **Application Deadline (Typically January):** Submit applications, teacher recommendations, and transcripts by early January for the following fall. 3) **Standardized Testing (Fall/Winter):** Most require the ISEE or SSAT. 4) **Student and Parent Interviews (Winter):** Conducted on campus. 5) **Decision Notification (March):** Most schools release decisions in mid-March. Given the competition, parents are advised to start research 18-24 months in advance, ensure their child is academically prepared, and schedule school tours to demonstrate genuine interest.
For families considering both options, how do the top private schools in Coral Gables compare academically to the highly-rated public schools like Coral Gables Senior High?
While Coral Gables Senior High is an excellent "A-rated" public magnet school, the leading private schools offer distinct advantages. Private schools like Ransom Everglades and Gulliver Prep typically have much smaller class sizes (often 12-15 students vs. 25+), allowing for personalized attention. They often offer more extensive advanced curricula, including full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programs and a wider array of AP courses. Their resources fund state-of-the-art labs, technology, and specialized faculty. However, Coral Gables High provides a diverse, large-school experience with no tuition. The choice often hinges on a family's priority for individualized education and specific programs versus the cost savings and dynamic scale of a top public magnet.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Best Autism-Focused Private Schools in Coral Gables, Florida
For parents in Coral Gables seeking a supportive and tailored educational environment for a child on the autism spectrum, the search for the right "private schools for autism near me" is both deeply personal and critically important. While our city is renowned for its prestigious college-preparatory institutions like Ransom Everglades, Gulliver Prep, and Carrollton, these schools, while excellent in their own right, may not offer the specialized, therapeutic-focused programming that many neurodiverse learners require. The good news is that the greater Miami-Dade area, with Coral Gables at its heart, is home to several exceptional private options dedicated to serving students with autism and related learning differences, blending academic rigor with essential life and social skills training.
Your search will likely lead you beyond the immediate city limits to specialized schools in neighboring communities, which are easily accessible from our tree-lined streets. The key is to look for programs with low student-to-teacher ratios, certified specialists like Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and speech-language pathologists on staff, and a curriculum that is both individualized and integrated. Many of these schools employ methodologies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), structured teaching, and social thinking curricula, all within a nurturing classroom setting. Visiting these campuses, perhaps after dropping off another child at a local Coral Gables school, will give you a feel for the environment—observe the classroom structure, the clarity of visual supports, and the way staff interact with students.
When evaluating options, consider the daily commute from Coral Gables. Traffic on US-1 or the Dolphin Expressway can influence your choice, making schools in South Miami, Coconut Grove, or Kendall potentially more manageable. Furthermore, think about the school’s long-term vision. Some programs focus intensely on therapeutic intervention with the goal of transitioning students to a less restrictive environment, possibly even back into a mainstream private school setting in the future. Others provide a supportive academic journey through to graduation. It’s also wise to connect with other local parents; networks formed through Coral Gables community centers or your child’s current therapists can offer invaluable, candid referrals.
Ultimately, finding the right private school for autism near Coral Gables means finding a partner in your child’s development. The ideal school will see your child’s unique strengths and challenges, crafting an education plan that promotes growth, confidence, and independence. It will be a place where academic learning is interwoven with social communication, sensory regulation, and practical life skills. While the path may feel complex, the resources within our South Florida community are robust. By focusing on specialized, accredited programs with proven expertise in autism spectrum disorders, you can find a supportive educational home where your child can thrive, all within a reasonable distance from our beautiful Gables community.