The Best Private Schools in South Jordan, Utah
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in South Jordan. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Waterford School
Independent
The Waterford School is a highly respected independent private school located just north of South Jordan in Sandy. Founded on the principles of liberal arts education, Waterford offers a comprehensive curriculum from preschool through high school. The school is known for its rigorous academic standards, exceptional faculty, and beautiful 43-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities. Waterford emphasizes balanced education with strong programs in arts, athletics, and community service. The school consistently produces graduates who attend top-tier universities and has a reputation for academic excellence throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
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Rowland Hall
Independent
Rowland Hall is one of Utah's oldest and most prestigious independent schools, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located in Salt Lake City, it serves families throughout the Salt Lake Valley including South Jordan. The school offers the International Baccalaureate program alongside Advanced Placement courses and is known for its innovative approach to education. Rowland Hall features exceptional facilities, small class sizes, and a commitment to developing critical thinkers and ethical leaders. The school has strong college placement records and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities in athletics, arts, and community engagement.
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Juan Diego Catholic High School
Catholic Schools of Utah
Juan Diego Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school located in nearby Draper, serving students from South Jordan and throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement options. Juan Diego features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. With strong community support and a track record of successful college placements, Juan Diego provides a values-based education in a diverse learning environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in South Jordan, Utah
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in South Jordan, Utah, and what are their key characteristics?
While South Jordan itself has a limited number of private schools, families commonly consider several prestigious institutions in the broader Salt Lake Valley. The most prominent are The Waterford School (in Sandy, adjacent to South Jordan), known for its rigorous liberal arts and arts-focused curriculum; Rowland Hall (in Salt Lake City), recognized for strong academics and a progressive approach; and Juan Diego Catholic High School (in Draper, very close to South Jordan), which offers a faith-based education. Many South Jordan families commute to these schools. There are also smaller local options, including charter schools which, while public, are often part of the school choice conversation in Utah.
How does tuition for top private schools near South Jordan, UT, compare, and are there financial aid options or state-specific programs to help with costs?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the South Jordan area varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, The Waterford School and Rowland Hall have tuitions ranging from approximately $30,000 to $35,000 for upper grades. Juan Diego Catholic High School is typically lower, often between $12,000 and $15,000. All these schools offer need-based financial aid. Importantly, Utah has the "Utah Fits All Scholarship," a state-funded education savings account program that provides approximately $8,000 per student for eligible families to use for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational services, making private education more accessible for many South Jordan residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the South Jordan vicinity offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools near South Jordan provide specialized programs not always available in public districts. The Waterford School has a renowned arts program, with extensive offerings in visual arts, music, and theater, and requires arts participation through graduation. Rowland Hall emphasizes experiential learning and has a strong focus on science and technology, including robotics and advanced research opportunities. Juan Diego Catholic High School offers a distinctive International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme alongside its Catholic curriculum, and has robust service-learning requirements. Additionally, these schools often have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention than in the large public high schools in the Jordan School District.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Waterford and Rowland Hall for a family from South Jordan?
The enrollment process for the most sought-after private schools near South Jordan is highly structured and begins early. For fall admission, the application cycle typically opens in August or September, one year prior to enrollment. Key steps include submitting an application (often by January), student assessments or visits, parent interviews, and providing teacher recommendations. Admissions decisions are usually communicated in March. It is crucial for South Jordan parents to plan ahead, as waitlists are common, especially for entry grades. We recommend attending open houses in the fall and initiating contact with the admissions office by late summer to understand specific requirements and demonstrate interest.
For a family in South Jordan, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation and community when choosing a private school outside the city?
Choosing a private school in Sandy, Draper, or Salt Lake City requires careful logistical planning from South Jordan. Most families provide their own transportation, as district busing is not typically available for out-of-boundary private schools. This means factoring in a daily commute of 20-40 minutes each way, depending on traffic on I-15 or Bangerter Highway. Carpooling with other South Jordan families is a common solution. Regarding community, your child's social circle and extracurricular commitments will be centered around the school's location, which may require extra travel for playdates, sports practices, and school events. However, many families find that the school's strong community fosters connections that are worth the commute.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Private Pre-K Programs in South Jordan, Utah
As a parent in South Jordan, the search for the right early education setting can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You’re not just looking for childcare; you’re seeking a foundational experience that will ignite your child’s love for learning in a nurturing, structured environment. When you type “private pre k near me” into your search bar, you’re tapping into a desire for something more personalized and academically oriented than many public options, and South Jordan’s educational landscape offers some compelling pathways to consider. The journey here is about finding a program whose philosophy aligns with your family’s values and your child’s unique needs, all within the context of our vibrant, family-centered community.
South Jordan is uniquely positioned with access to several prestigious private institutions that often begin their formative influence at the preschool level. While notable schools like The Waterford School, Rowland Hall, and Juan Diego Catholic High School are celebrated for their upper grades, their educational philosophies are deeply rooted in early childhood programs that may be available on their main campuses or through affiliated feeder schools. For instance, seeking a “private pre k near me” with a rigorous liberal arts foundation might lead you to explore Waterford’s early learning approach, which emphasizes curiosity and engagement from the youngest ages. Similarly, a family valuing a faith-based education might look into the early childhood programs associated with the Juan Diego system, which often prioritize character development alongside early literacy and numeracy.
The local context in South Jordan matters greatly. Our city, known for its beautiful parks, strong community ties, and growing family population, means that many private pre-k programs here understand the importance of blending academic preparation with social-emotional growth and outdoor activity. When evaluating options, consider logistics like commute times from neighborhoods like Daybreak or the SoJo area, as consistency and community are key for young learners. Many local private pre-k programs also foster a close-knit environment where families get to know each other, creating a supportive network that extends beyond the classroom walls—a true benefit of our suburban setting.
Practically speaking, beginning your search for “private pre k near me” should involve looking beyond the search engine results. We recommend scheduling tours, observing classrooms in action, and asking specific questions about teacher qualifications, student-to-teacher ratios, and daily routines. Inquire about how a program’s curriculum prepares children not just for kindergarten, but for the specific academic cultures of the premier elementary schools in the area, whether private or public. The investment in a private pre-k in South Jordan is an investment in a tailored introduction to structured learning, often featuring enriched curricula in music, art, or science that can set a powerful trajectory for your child’s educational journey. Taking the time to find the right fit amidst our local options is the first, most important step in building a lifelong foundation for success and a genuine joy for discovery.