The Best Private Schools in Herriman, Utah
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Herriman. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Waterford School
Independent
Waterford School is consistently ranked as one of Utah's top private schools, serving students from Herriman and throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The school offers a comprehensive liberal arts education with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and arts integration. With a beautiful 42-acre campus in Sandy, Waterford provides state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and offers extensive AP and honors courses. Extracurricular programs include competitive athletics, robotics, debate, and comprehensive arts programs.
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Rowland Hall
Independent
Rowland Hall is Utah's oldest independent school and consistently ranks among the state's top educational institutions. While located in Salt Lake City, the school serves families from Herriman and throughout the Wasatch Front. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional STEM programs, advanced placement courses, and comprehensive arts education. Rowland Hall features two campuses with state-of-the-art facilities including science research labs, innovation spaces, athletic complexes, and performing arts centers. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes critical thinking, ethical leadership, and community engagement through its extensive extracurricular and service programs.
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Juan Diego Catholic High School
Catholic Schools of Utah
Juan Diego Catholic High School serves Herriman families seeking a faith-based education with rigorous academic programs. The school is an International Baccalaureate World School offering the IB Diploma Programme alongside traditional college preparatory courses. The 36-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and technology labs, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. Juan Diego emphasizes service learning and character development within a Catholic framework while maintaining strong academic standards. The school offers extensive extracurricular activities including championship athletics, robotics, theater, and numerous clubs serving diverse student interests.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Herriman, Utah
What are the primary private school options available for families living in Herriman, Utah, and how accessible are they?
While Herriman itself is a rapidly growing community with primarily public schools, the most prominent and accessible private options are located in the broader Salt Lake Valley. The top schools considered by Herriman families include The Waterford School in Sandy (a rigorous, college-preparatory day school), Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper (serving grades 9-12), and Rowland Hall in Salt Lake City (a leading independent school with campuses for lower and upper grades). Accessibility involves a commute of 15-30 minutes via I-15 and Mountain View Corridor. There are also smaller private academies and faith-based schools closer to Herriman, but the aforementioned are the most established. Transportation is typically the family's responsibility, though some schools may offer bus routes from central locations.
How does tuition for private schools in the Herriman, UT area compare, and are there any Utah-specific financial aid or scholarship programs?
Tuition in the Herriman-area private schools varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $30,000+ at The Waterford School, $12,000-$14,000 at Juan Diego CHS, and $30,000+ at Rowland Hall. Utah offers a unique financial benefit through the **Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship** for eligible students with IEPs attending private schools. More broadly, many Utah private schools participate in the **Utah Fits All Scholarship** (the state's new education savings account program), which provides approximately $8,000 per student for qualified educational expenses, including private school tuition. All major schools also offer their own need-based financial aid. It's crucial to apply for aid directly through the school's financial aid service (like SSS) and investigate state scholarship eligibility.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Herriman offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Salt Lake Valley accessible to Herriman families often provide specialized, in-depth programs. The Waterford School is renowned for its arts-integrated curriculum, extensive outdoor education, and strong STEM focus. Juan Diego Catholic High School offers distinctive programs like the **International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme**, robust theology courses, and competitive athletics in the Utah High School Activities Association. Rowland Hall emphasizes inquiry-based learning, has a renowned debate program, and offers advanced interdisciplinary studies. These schools typically have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention and specialized electives (e.g., robotics, symphonic music, advanced language courses) that may be more limited in Herriman's public high schools due to larger student populations.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools serving Herriman, UT families?
Planning ahead is critical. For schools like Waterford and Rowland Hall, the process for fall entry often begins **12-18 months in advance**. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically in the fall), submitting applications by January or February deadlines, completing student assessments/interviews, and receiving decisions in March. **Juan Diego CHS** also has an early application period, usually in the fall prior to entry. Siblings and legacy applicants often receive priority. Given Herriman's growth, spaces can be highly competitive, especially in entry-level grades (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th). We strongly recommend contacting admissions offices the year before you intend to enroll, getting on inquiry lists, and adhering strictly to all deadlines. Waitlists are common.
For families in Herriman considering the choice, what are the notable advantages and trade-offs of a top private school versus the highly-rated public schools in the Jordan School District?
The decision hinges on priorities. Herriman's Jordan School District public schools (like Herriman High) are well-regarded, offer diverse AP courses, and have strong athletics, all with no tuition. Advantages of nearby private schools include: smaller, more cohesive communities; often more rigorous or specialized academic tracks (like IB at Juan Diego); a values-based education (e.g., Catholic identity or a specific educational philosophy); and potentially more resources in arts or specific academic departments. The major trade-offs are the significant financial cost, the daily commute to Sandy, Draper, or Salt Lake City, and possibly fewer broad extracurricular offerings (like certain sports teams) compared to the very large public high schools. Many Herriman families choose private schools for a specific educational approach or community fit that aligns with their family's values.