The Best Private Schools in Santa Rita, Gu
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Santa Rita. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Harvest Christian Academy
Harvest Christian Academy
Harvest Christian Academy is a highly-regarded private school serving the entire Guam community, including Santa Rita. Founded in 1997, it offers a comprehensive K-12 education with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and Christian values. The school features modern facilities, including science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and athletic fields. Academically, it provides a rigorous curriculum with Advanced Placement (AP) courses, robust STEM programs, and college counseling. Extracurricular activities span sports, music, drama, and community service, fostering well-rounded development. Parent satisfaction is high, with praise for dedicated teachers, small class sizes, and a supportive community environment. The school is accredited and known for its high graduation rates and college acceptance records.
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Santa Barbara Catholic School
Catholic Schools of Guam
Santa Barbara Catholic School is a well-established private institution that serves families across Guam, including those in Santa Rita. Since its founding in 1995, it has built a reputation for academic rigor within a faith-based environment, offering programs from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school emphasizes core subjects integrated with Catholic teachings, and features facilities such as a library, computer labs, and playgrounds. Extracurriculars include choir, band, sports teams, and service projects, promoting character development and community engagement. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's safe, nurturing atmosphere, qualified faculty, and strong parent-teacher collaboration. It is accredited and focuses on preparing students for high school with a solid academic and moral foundation.
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St. Francis Catholic School
Catholic Schools of Guam
St. Francis Catholic School, founded in 1972, is a respected private school that serves the southern region of Guam, including Santa Rita. It provides a holistic education from pre-K to 8th grade, blending academic excellence with Catholic values. The school boasts well-maintained facilities, including smart classrooms, a gymnasium, and outdoor recreational areas. Its curriculum covers core subjects enhanced by religious education, technology integration, and cultural activities like Chamorro language and traditions. Extracurricular options include sports, art clubs, and community service, encouraging student engagement and leadership. Parent reviews highlight the school's committed teachers, inclusive environment, and strong sense of community. Accredited and with a long track record, it is known for fostering academic success and personal growth in a supportive setting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Santa Rita, Gu
What are the primary private school options available for families in Santa Rita, GU, and what are their core educational philosophies?
In Santa Rita, GU, the three main private schools are Harvest Christian Academy, Santa Barbara Catholic School, and St. Francis Catholic School. Harvest Christian Academy typically offers a Protestant Christian, college-preparatory education. Santa Barbara Catholic School and St. Francis Catholic School provide faith-based education rooted in Catholic traditions and values. These schools are central to the private education landscape in the village, offering alternatives to the Guam Department of Education's public schools. Given the limited number of options, it's important for parents to visit each campus to understand their specific curricular focus, community environment, and how their religious or academic philosophy aligns with your family's goals.
How does tuition at private schools in Santa Rita, GU, compare to the cost of living on Guam, and are there any local financial aid or scholarship resources?
Tuition for private schools in Santa Rita, GU, varies but is a significant consideration given Guam's high cost of living, which is influenced by the importation of goods. While specific figures change annually, parents should budget for several thousand dollars per child per year. Importantly, many families on Guam utilize the "Kåttihu" (Educational Tax Credit) program. This Guam-specific law allows businesses to redirect a portion of their Business Privilege Tax (BPT) liability to approved private schools in exchange for a tax credit, which schools then use to offer tuition scholarships or grants. Directly inquire with Harvest Christian Academy, Santa Barbara Catholic School, and St. Francis Catholic School about their participation in the Kåttihu program and other need-based or merit-based aid they may offer.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Santa Rita's private schools offer that reflect the culture and environment of Guam?
Private schools in Santa Rita often integrate the unique Chamorro culture and island environment into their programs. This may include classes or units on Chamorro language, history, and traditions, especially around significant events like Mes Chamorro (Chamorro Month). Given Guam's location, some schools might emphasize marine biology or environmental science, leveraging the island's coral reefs and ecosystems as living classrooms. Extracurriculars may also reflect island life, with potential clubs or activities focused on canoeing, storytelling, or traditional dance. It's advisable to ask each school specifically about their cultural curriculum and how they connect classroom learning to the local community and environment of Guam.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Santa Rita, GU, and are there waitlists due to limited capacity?
Enrollment timelines for private schools in Santa Rita generally begin in the early calendar year (January-March) for the following academic year, which typically aligns with the public school calendar starting in August. Due to the limited number of seats available in these three schools, it is common for popular grades to have waitlists, especially for early elementary and key transition years. The process usually involves submitting an application, academic records, possibly attending an interview or assessment, and providing baptismal records for the Catholic schools. Parents are strongly encouraged to initiate contact with their school(s) of choice by November or December to obtain specific deadlines and requirements, as spaces fill quickly in Santa Rita's constrained private school market.
For families in Santa Rita, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools and the available private schools?
The decision often centers on class size, religious education, and specific program offerings. Public schools in Santa Rita, like all Guam Department of Education schools, are tuition-free but may have larger class sizes and face systemic challenges reported across the district. The private schools in Santa Rita offer smaller, more controlled classroom environments and mandatory religious instruction. For Catholic families, sacramental preparation is a major draw. Furthermore, private schools may have more flexibility in their curriculum and often boast higher standardized test scores and college acceptance rates. However, this comes with a direct financial cost. Parents should consider the daily commute, as some private options might be located in neighboring villages, and weigh the value of a faith-based education against the financial commitment required.