10 Best Private High Schools in Colorado 2024 | How to Apply

Are you a high school student looking for the best private high schools in Littleton, Aurora, or any other colorado counties to enroll in?

Are you wondering if high schools in Colorado are a good place to have your child school?

Do you want to know the odds of having your child in a Colorado high school?

Do you want to know what it would cost you to have your child learn in schools in Colorado?

This all-inclusive guide answers all your questions about Colorado high schools.

Colorado high schools are an impressive place to be. 

Starting from the vivid landscapes of mountains and forests to the serene classroom. 

The experience is timely and fulfilling. 

To crown this, the best private high schools in Colorado are just about the right place to begin, and we have a few suggestions. 

Hence this article.

Colorado ranks 21st in terms of student enrollment and comes in 21st in terms of the total number of schools in the US.

It sits 40th for the student/teacher ratio and 13th for the percentage of students on free or reduced lunches.

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What You Need to Know About Private High Schools in Colorado

Even some of the best high schools in Colorado, as much as every other, exhibit similar traits. 

By the way, they all share the same state laws and have similar school board resolutions. 

To illustrate some of these patterns, we’ve outlined the following points.

#1. Credit load of High Schools in Colorado

Colorado tests high school students via state assessments that cover math, English language arts, social studies, and science. 

According to the Colorado Department of Education, in 11th grade, high schoolers take the SAT college entrance exam. 

The minimum credit load for Colorado’s best private high schools is 6.

#2. Colorado SAT Scores

The state began requiring Colorado juniors to take the SAT in the spring of 2017. 

All students in the 9th and 10th grades now also take the PSAT. 

Both tests are meant to measure college readiness and SAT scores can be used on applications for most colleges and universities.

More than half of Colorado’s private high schools recorded lower SAT scores in the spring of 2019 compared to the past year.

The Westminster school district is the only one in the Denver metro area that increased its average SAT score for juniors compared with its juniors who took the test last year.

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#3. NAEP Scores

On the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the average score for students in Colorado in 2019 (225).

This was not significantly different from their average in 2017 (225) and was higher than their average score in 1998 (220). 

However, the percentage of students in Colorado who performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level was 40 percent in 2019.

#4. School Days in Private High Schools in Colorado

Colorado High schools allow a minimum of 160 days in school as against the 180 of other states. 

High schoolers resume lectures at 8:30 in the morning and run through till 4:30 pm.

In the 2020-2021 academic year, Colorado has 113 districts that use a four-day week, making the state the nationwide leader in the number of school districts to do so.

Still, less than 10% of the state’s students are under the shorter schedule because few large districts have adopted it.

#5. Absenteeism in Colorado High Schools

Colorado School Attendance Law requires that students miss no more than 10 school days per year, excused or unexcused. 

If a student has missed 10 or more days of school, he/she will be placed on an attendance contract requiring that they do not miss any more days without a note from a doctor.

Under State of Colorado law and the School District’s policy, a child who has four (4) or more unexcused absences in any month or ten (10) or more unexcused absences during the school year is considered “habitually truant.”

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#6. High School is compulsory in Colorado

Colorado law requires that every child who is 6 years old and under 17 must attend school. 

The school’s attorney can take up truancy from school. 

Juvenile courts can order a child to attend a school or parents to get their children to school. 

Breaking these court orders can lead to sanctions and criminal charges for contempt of court.

These are some of the essential things you need to know before enrolling in any of the private high schools in Colorado.

How Many Private High Schools are in Colorado?

There are 90 private high schools in Colorado.

However, there are 641 high schools in the state. 

That records 551 of them as public high schools.

What is the Average Tuition of Private Schools in Colorado?

The average private high school tuition in Colorado is $15,423 per year. 

The private high school with the lowest tuition is Crossroads School, with a tuition of $1,500.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School has the highest tuition in Colorado, where students pay up to $58,600 per year. 

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List of 10 Best Private Schools in Colorado

Here are some of the best private high schools in Colorado.

#1. Kent Denver School

  • Location: ENGLEWOOD, CO 6-12 
  • Rating 4.19 out of 5 in 125 reviews
  • Annual Tuition: $32, 841

Kent Denver School is a 4-star high school in Colorado with a population of 740 Students.

Also, Kent Denver School has a small class size of 8 students to one teacher.

#2. Colorado Academy

  • Location: DENVER, CO PK, K-12 
  • Rating 4.42 out of 5 in 48 reviews
  • Annual Tuition: $30, 840

Colorado Academy is a 4-star high school in Colorado with a student population of 1,006 Students.

Also, Colorado Academy has a small class size of 6 students to one teacher.

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#3. Fountain Valley School

  • Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 9-12 
  • Rating 4.64 out of 5 in 59 reviews
  • Annual Tuition: $30, 500

Fountain Valley School is one of the most expensive private high schools in Colorado springs.

It has a student population of 241, making it one of the smallest private high schools with a class size of 7 students to one.

#4. The Colorado Springs School

  • Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO PK, K-12 
  • Rating 4.68 out of 5 in 50 review
  • Annual Tuition: $24, 300

The Colorado Springs School is a 4.6-star high school in Colorado.

However, the Colorado Springs School is small, with just 300 students but a class size of 8 students to a teacher.

#5. St. Mary’s Academy

  • Location: ENGLEWOOD, CO PK, K-12 
  • Rating 4.1 out of 5 in 105 review
  • Annual Tuition: $22, 810

St. Mary’s Academy has a student population of 690 students and a class size of 6 students to one teacher

ALSO READ: 10 Best Private High Schools in New York| Requirements, Cost & How to Apply

Other Private High Schools in Colorado include;

#5. Dawson School

  • Location: LAFAYETTE, CO K-12 
  • Rating 4.22 out of 5 in 27 reviews
  • Annual Tuition: $22, 990

Dawson School is a small high school with a population of 530 students and a class size of seven students to one teacher.

#6. Vail Mountain School

  • Location: VAIL, CO K-12 
  • Rating 4.13 out of 5 in 62 reviews
  • Annual Tuition: $32, 400

Vail Mountain School is one of the best private high schools in Vail.

It has a student population of 432, making it one of the Mallets private high schools in Vail.

Also, Vail Mountain School has a student To teacher Ratio of 7:1.

#7. Steamboat Mountain School

  • Location: STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO 9-12 
  • Rating 4.79 out of 5 in 19 reviews
  • Annual Tuition: $32, 500

Steamboat Mountain School is a great high school for one-on-one coaching and mentoring.

The high school has a population of just 67 students and a class size of one teacher to one student.

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#8. Regis Jesuit High School

  • Location: AURORA, CO 9-12 
  • Rating 4.27 out of 5 in 397 reviews
  • Annual Tuition: $19, 275

Regis Jesuit High School is one of the best private high schools in aurora co.

Also, Regis Jesuit High School is a large high school with a student population of 1,729 students and a class size of 1 student to one teacher.

#9. Vail Christian High School

  • Location: EDWARDS, CO 9-12 
  • Rating 4.77 out of 5 in 30 reviews
  • Annual Tuition: $25, 200

Vail Christian High School is one of the best high schools in Vail, with a student population of 156 and a class size of 9 students to a Teacher.

#10. Colorado Rocky Mountain School

  • Location: CARBONDALE, CO 9-12 
  • Rating 4.69 out of 5 in 29 reviews
  • Student Population: 181
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
  • Annual Tuition: $41, 000

Colorado Rocky Mountain School is one of the best private high schools in Colorado.

Though small, the student population of Colorado Rocky Mountain School allows for 5 students in each class.

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What are the Best Private High Schools in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs is one of the best places for high school education.

Following the 2023 report, Colorado Springs has 11 private high schools with an enrollment of about 2,730 students.

Of these 11 schools, The Colorado Springs School, St. Mary’s High School, and Colorado Springs Christian Schools are considered the best private high schools.

Also, 55% of private high schools in Colorado Springs have Christian and Catholic affiliations.

Here are some of the best Colorado Springs private high schools;

  • Blue Ribbon
  • Pikes Peak Academy
  • Springs Baptist Academy
  • The University School
  • St. Mary’s High School
  • Griffith Centers For Children
  • New Directions Education Program
  • Pikes Peak Christian School
  • The Colorado Springs School
  • Colorado Springs Christian Schools
  • Evangelical Christian Academy Secondary
  • Fountain Valley School Of Colorado

What are the Best Private High Schools in Denver, Colorado?

Denver, Colorado, has 29 private high schools with about 6,312 students.

Most of Denver, Colorado’s private high schools have Christian and Jewish affiliations.

The best out of 29 Denver, Colorado, private schools for high school students include Denver Academy, Denver Jewish Day School, and Denver Christian School.

In addition to these, here are the top 10 schools for high school students in Denver;

  • Denver Academy
  • Arrupe Jesuit High School
  • Bishop Machebeuf High School
  • Colorado Academy
  • Cornerstone Christian Academy
  • Mullen High School
  • Accelerated Schools
  • Denver Christian School
  • Denver Waldorf School
  • Beth Jacob High School
  • Denver Jewish Day School
  • Calvary Apostolic Academy
  • Augustine Classical Academy
  • Bansbach Academy At Denver Children’s Home

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What are the Cheap Private Schools in Colorado?

The average annual private high school tuition cost in Colorado is about $15,752.

However, the private high school with the cheapest tuition is Crossroads School, with a tuition of $1,500.

Here is a list of other cheap private schools in Colorado in a particular order;

  • Crossroads School
  • Calvary Christian School
  • Colorado Biblical University Academy
  • Liberty Classical Academy
  • Holy Trinity Academy
  • Lighthouse Christian Academy
  • Landmark Baptist School
  • St. Therese Catholic School
  • Elmwood Baptist Academy
  • Cedar Wood
  • Pueblo West Christian Academy

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What are the Most Expensive Private High Schools in Colorado?

The average annual private high school tuition cost in Colorado is about $15,752.

However, the private high school with the highest tuition in Colorado is Colorado Rocky Mountain School, with a tuition of $58,600.

Here is a list of other most expensive private high schools in Colorado in a particular order;

  • Brightmont Academy – Broomfield
  • Brightmont Academy – Castle Pines
  • Humanex Academy
  • Dawson School
  • Kent Denver School
  • Colorado Academy
  • Denver Academy
  • Colorado Timberline Academy
  • Temple Grandin School
  • Steamboat Mountain School
  • Fountain Valley School Of Colorado
  • Colorado Rocky Mountain School

What are the Best Private High Schools in Littleton, Colorado?

Littleton, Colorado, is one of the best places for high school education.

And in that regard, Littleton, Colorado, has about 33 private high schools with a small student population of about 5,968 across its schools.

Out of these 33 schools, Aspen Academy, Front Range Christian School, and Anastasis Academy are considered the best private high schools in Littleton, Colorado.

42% of these private schools in Littleton have Christian and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America affiliations.

Here are the best private high schools in Littleton, Colorado, in a particular order;

  • Aspen Academy
  • Havern School
  • Anastasis Academy
  • Arma Dei Academy
  • Mile High Academy
  • Cherry Hills Christian
  • St. Mary Littleton
  • Abiding Hope Preschool
  • Front Range Christian School
  • Valor Christian High School
  • Willows Child Learning Centers
  • Ambleside School of Colorado
  • Highlands Ranch Learning Center
  • Mackintosh Academy Littleton
  • Christ Lutheran Preschool And Kindergarten

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What are the Private High Schools in Boulder Co?

Boulder, CO is one of Colorado’s best hubs for high school education.

At the moment, Boulder, CO, has about 56 private schools with a student population of 5,205.

The top-rated private high schools in Boulder, CO, are Dawson School, Boulder Country Day, and Bixby School.

Most of the private high schools in Boulder, CO, have Catholic and Christian affiliations.

Here is a list of the best private high schools in boulder co;

  • Boulder Country Day
  • Dawson School
  • Bixby School
  • September School
  • Blue Sky Kindergarten
  • Vista Ridge Academy
  • Blue Mountain Montessori
  • Boulder Jewish Day School
  • Jarrow Montessori School
  • Longmont Christian School
  • Mt. Zion Lutheran Preschool
  • Sacred Heart Of Jesus School
  • Adventure Montessori Learning
  • Shining Mountain Waldorf School
  • St. John The Baptist Catholic School
  • St. Louis Catholic School & Early Learning Center

What are the Best Private High Schools in Aurora, CO?

Aurora, CO, has a total of 24 private schools with a population of 4,702 students.

63% of these schools are religiously affiliated with a Catholic or Christian church.

Out of these schools, Primrose School of Saddle Rock, Crescent View Academy, and Regis Jesuit High School are considered the best private high schools in Aurora Co.

Here are other good private high schools in Aurora, CO you can apply to;

  • Crescent View Academy
  • Our Lady Of Loreto School
  • Primrose School Of Saddle Rock
  • Regis Jesuit High School
  • St. Pius X School
  • St. Therese Catholic School
  • Bethel Christian School
  • Calvary Christian Academy
  • Cedar Wood
  • Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran School
  • Denver Street School-east Campus
  • For His Glory Christian Learning Center

What are the Private High Schools in Vail, Colorado?

There is only one private school in Vail, Colorado, with a student population of 430 students.

What are the Best Private High Schools in Castle Rock Co?

Castle Rock, Colorado, has just seven private schools with a student population of 420 and an acceptance rate of 100%.

43% of private high schools in Castle Rock, CO, are Christian schools.

Here is a list of the Private Schools in Castle Rock, CO;

  • Brightmont Academy – Castle Pines
  • Castle Rock Christian Academy
  • Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
  • The Goddard School
  • Montessori School Of Castle Rock
  • Primrose School Of Castle Rock

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Conclusion

Littleton, Aurora, Vail, and other colorado private high schools are surely good places to study. 

It has the requirements to meet high school students’ academic and extracurricular needs in Colorado.

There’s also a good opportunity to clear your mind with the gleaming sights one can behold all around Colorado.

Picking a private high school in Colorado is always a good choice.

It’s best to take the best closest to where you live.

Our Recommendation

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