The Best Private Schools in Park City, Utah
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Park City. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Park City Day School
Independent
The Park City Day School is an independent IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for students from preschool through 8th grade. The school emphasizes inquiry-based learning, character development, and academic excellence in a nurturing environment. With small class sizes averaging 12-16 students, personalized attention is a hallmark. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and outdoor learning spaces. Extracurricular programs include competitive skiing, mountain biking, robotics, and community service initiatives. The school is known for its strong sense of community and commitment to developing well-rounded, globally-minded students.
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Rowland Hall
Rowland Hall
Rowland Hall is a premier independent school serving students from beginner through 12th grade, with many families commuting from Park City for its exceptional academic reputation. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 24 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. The 40-acre Salt Lake City campus features state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts centers, athletic facilities, and technology-integrated classrooms. Notable programs include competitive robotics, championship skiing teams, extensive visual and performing arts, and community engagement initiatives. The school is particularly recognized for its strong faculty, with over 70% holding advanced degrees, and its commitment to developing ethical, intellectually curious leaders.
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The Waterford School
The Waterford School
The Waterford School is a highly-regarded independent day school serving students from preschool through 12th grade, attracting families from throughout the Wasatch Front including Park City. The school offers a comprehensive liberal arts education grounded in academic rigor and character development. The 42-acre campus features extensive athletic facilities, science laboratories, performing arts centers, and dedicated arts studios. Waterford's curriculum includes 21 Advanced Placement courses, with graduates consistently attending top-tier universities. The school emphasizes arts integration across all disciplines and offers robust athletic programs including championship skiing and snowboarding teams. Known for its beautiful campus and strong community values, Waterford maintains small class sizes and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, ensuring personalized attention and academic excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Park City, Utah
What are the primary private school options available within Park City, Utah, and do I need to commute to the Salt Lake Valley?
Within Park City itself, The Park City Day School is the only independent, secular private school serving grades PK-8. For a K-12 private education, families in Park City often consider schools in the Salt Lake Valley, which involves a commute of 30-45 minutes via Parley's Canyon. The most prominent are Rowland Hall (in Salt Lake City) and The Waterford School (in Sandy). These schools are accustomed to serving Park City families, with many offering bus transportation or carpool networks. Your choice often hinges on the desired grade level and willingness to commute.
How does tuition for private schools serving Park City, UT, compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition at top private schools accessible to Park City residents is significantly higher than the Utah state average for private education, reflecting their prestige and the area's cost of living. For the 2024-25 academic year, tuition ranges from approximately $25,000 at The Park City Day School to over $30,000 for upper grades at Rowland Hall and The Waterford School. Importantly, all these schools offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Utah also has the Carson Smith Scholarship for students with IEPs, which can be used at participating private schools to offset costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Park City-area private schools offer that leverage the local mountain environment?
Private schools serving the Park City community deeply integrate the unique Wasatch Mountain environment into their programs. The Park City Day School emphasizes outdoor education and sustainability, with regular field studies in the local ecosystem. Rowland Hall and The Waterford School both have strong outdoor programs that include skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and environmental science trips, often utilizing Park City's world-class resorts and trails. These schools may adjust schedules or offer "ski bus" transportation during the winter to accommodate student-athletes training with elite local clubs.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Rowland Hall or Waterford that attract Park City families?
The timeline for these competitive schools is early and structured. The application process for the following fall typically opens in August or September, with key deadlines for financial aid and application submissions between January and February. Admissions events and tours are held in the fall. Given the limited seats and the number of applicants from both the Salt Lake Valley and Park City, it is highly advisable to begin the process 12-18 months in advance. Many schools require standardized testing (like the ISEE) and student interviews as part of the holistic review.
For a family moving to Park City, what are the key considerations when choosing between the highly-rated public school district and a private school option?
This is a central decision for new residents. Park City Public School District is exceptionally highly rated, offering modern facilities and diverse programs. The primary considerations for opting for private education often include: desire for a specific educational philosophy (e.g., progressive, classical), smaller class sizes, a different social environment, or a K-12 continuum (as the local public system splits between elementary, middle, and high schools). The commute to a Salt Lake Valley private school is a major factor, impacting daily family logistics. Many families choose the public system for its convenience and quality, while others value the distinct mission and community of a private institution enough to make the commute.