Which private schools in Cherry Hills Village are best for my child?
Kent Denver School and St. Mary’s Academy are the two private schools actually located within Cherry Hills Village. Kent Denver (grades 6-12, ~$43,250/year) is the flagship independent college-prep school; St. Mary’s Academy (PK-12, ~$26,000-$31,800/year) is a Catholic school with an all-girls high school division. Both serve Cherry Hills Village families and are within a 5-15 minute drive from most of the village.
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Why Cherry Hills Village Families Consider Private Schools
Cherry Hills Village consistently ranks among Colorado’s most affluent and education-focused communities. With a median household income well above the Denver metro average and a population that skews toward professionals — attorneys, physicians, executives, and entrepreneurs — it’s no surprise that the area attracts families with high expectations for their children’s education.
The public school options in the surrounding Cherry Creek School District are strong: Cherry Hills Village Elementary feeds into Cherry Creek High School, which is a solid public option. But for many Cherry Hills Village families, the appeal of private school comes down to a specific set of priorities that the public system doesn’t always address at the individual student level.
The most common reasons families in this area choose private education include:
- College-preparatory focus from day one — Schools like Kent Denver and St. Mary’s Academy build a college counseling pipeline from middle school onward, not just the junior year of high school.
- Smaller class sizes and individual attention — Many Cherry Hills Village private schools maintain 8:1 to 12:1 student-teacher ratios, compared to 20:1 or higher in public schools.
- Values-aligned education — Whether through a religious tradition (St. Mary’s Academy’s Loretto heritage, Cherry Hills Christian School’s evangelical Christian foundation) or a secular philosophy (Kent Denver’s independent college-prep model), families can find a school that shares their worldview.
- Stability of community — Several private schools in this corridor have strong retention rates, meaning students form long-term peer relationships rather than cycling through a large public school system.
- Academic acceleration and depth — AP coursework, independent research opportunities, and honors tracks that may not be available at the same depth in public middle schools.
None of this is to say that public school is the wrong choice — for many Cherry Hills Village families, it clearly isn’t. But the private school options in and around the village are genuinely strong, and they’re worth understanding as you map out your child’s educational path.
Kent Denver School
Kent Denver School is, by most measures, the flagship private school serving Cherry Hills Village families. Located at 4000 E. Quincy Ave in Englewood — effectively in the Cherry Hills Village corridor — Kent Denver sits on a 35-acre campus that regularly makes lists of the most beautiful school grounds in Colorado. The school serves grades 6 through 12 and is consistently ranked among the top private day schools in the Mountain West.
Founded in 1974 through the merger of two earlier institutions, Kent Denver has built its reputation on rigorous academics, strong arts and athletics programs, and exceptional college placement. The school is nonsectarian and coeducational, which makes it appealing to a broad range of families who want a college-prep environment without a specific religious affiliation.
Academic Philosophy and Programs
Kent Denver operates on a genuine college-preparatory model. The academic expectations are high, and the student culture reflects that — but unlike some ultra-competitive private schools, the culture at Kent Denver tends to emphasize intellectual curiosity and collaboration over cutthroat competition. Students report feeling challenged without feeling crushed.
The school offers a robust AP and honors course catalog, and upper school students are expected to take a rigorous courseload that prepares them for selective college admissions. The college counseling team is experienced and well-resourced, with deep relationships at colleges across the country. Kent Denver graduates regularly matriculate at Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, Georgetown, and the University of Colorado Boulder, among others.
Beyond the classroom, Kent Denver is known for its arts program (theater productions, music ensembles, and visual arts are all well-funded) and its athletics program. The Sun Devils compete in Colorado’s Class 4A and have a strong reputation in lacrosse, soccer, and swimming, among other sports.
Admissions Process
Kent Denver’s admissions process is competitive but not secretive. The school uses an online application platform and typically requires:
- An online application form with student and parent essays
- Report cards and transcripts from the current and prior school years
- Teacher recommendation forms
- An admissions test or standardized testing submission
- An in-person or virtual campus visit and interview
The school has indicated it enrolls approximately 750 students across grades 6–12, and the admissions process is selective. Families are encouraged to apply well before the deadline, particularly for 6th grade (the largest entry point) and 9th grade.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For the 2026–27 school year, Kent Denver’s tuition is $43,250 per year. This includes most fees, lunch, and campus travel for school-sponsored activities. There are additional costs for uniforms, books, and optional summer programs.
The school maintains a meaningful financial aid budget and has made public commitments to increasing socioeconomic diversity in its student body. Need-based tuition assistance is available, and families are encouraged to apply for aid simultaneously with the admissions application — aid decisions are generally made independently of admissions decisions, so applying for aid doesn’t hurt your admissions chances.
📍 Kent Denver School
4000 E. Quincy Ave, Englewood, CO 80113
Grades: 6–12 | Tuition: $43,250 (2026–27)
kentdenver.org
St. Mary’s Academy
St. Mary’s Academy is one of the oldest continuously operating private schools in Colorado, founded in 1864 by the Sisters of Loretto. Located at 4545 S. University Blvd — directly within Cherry Hills Village — the school is a fixture of the South Denver private school landscape and a particularly natural fit for families who value a combination of academic rigor and faith-based education.
St. Mary’s is Catholic in the Loretto tradition, rooted in the values of the Sisters of Loretto: faith, community, service, and academic excellence. Importantly, the school is non-exclusive — students of all religious backgrounds (or no religious background) are welcomed and admitted. The Catholic identity shapes the culture and values curriculum, but non-Catholic families regularly choose St. Mary’s for the academic program alone.
School Structure: Three Divisions, One Community
One thing that makes St. Mary’s Academy distinctive is its three-division structure:
- Lower School (PK–5) — Co-educational, with a focus on foundational academic skills, social-emotional development, and exposure to the school’s values and traditions. The Lower School uses a structured academic program while incorporating arts, world language (Spanish), and physical education.
- Middle School (6–8) — Co-educational. Students begin more formal academic tracking, with increased expectations for independent work and organizational skills. The middle school years at St. Mary’s are known for being academically demanding without losing the sense of community that defines the school.
- High School (9–12) — All-girls. This is a critical distinction. St. Mary’s High School educates only young women, which has documented benefits for confidence, leadership development, and academic performance in STEM fields. The all-girls environment allows for a specifically tailored approach to adolescent female development that many families find compelling.
The school offers approximately 26 AP courses, a strong college counseling program, and graduates who attend schools including Georgetown, Boston College, Villanova, Santa Clara, and the University of Colorado system. The Loretto tradition emphasizes service, and students are required to complete a certain number of community service hours each year.
Admissions Process
St. Mary’s Academy uses a rolling admissions process for most grade levels, though the high school (especially 9th grade) fills quickly and early application is strongly encouraged. The admissions process typically includes:
- An online application
- Student interview
- Academic records and transcripts from current school
- Teacher recommendation
- For high school applicants: SSAT or similar standardized test scores
The school has an open admissions policy in the sense that it does not have a highly selective gating process at the Lower and Middle School levels, but space availability varies and families should apply early.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at St. Mary’s Academy varies by grade level. For the 2025–26 school year, tuition at the high school level is approximately $31,800, with Lower School tuition in the range of $26,000–$28,000 depending on the grade. The school publishes a full tuition schedule on its website.
St. Mary’s Academy administers approximately $2.4 million in need-based tuition assistance annually, which is substantial relative to the school’s size. Financial aid applications are reviewed separately from admissions, and the school is genuinely committed to making its education accessible to families across a range of income levels. Merit-based scholarships are also available for high-achieving students.
📍 St. Mary’s Academy
4545 S. University Blvd, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Grades: PK–12 | Tuition: ~$26,000–$31,800 (2025–26, varies by grade)
stmarys.academy
Cherry Hills Christian School
Cherry Hills Christian School is located in Highlands Ranch — just south of Cherry Hills Village — and has served families in the South Metro Denver area since 1985. While technically not within Cherry Hills Village’s city limits, it is close enough (roughly a 10-minute drive from most of the village’s residential areas) that many Cherry Hills Village families consider it a viable option, particularly those who live in the southern part of the village near C-470.
The school is an evangelical Christian private school and is explicitly Christian in its worldview, curriculum, and daily operations. This is not a secular school with chapel as an add-on — the Christian faith tradition is woven into every subject and aspect of school culture. Families who are looking for that explicit integration will find it here. Families who want a more secular environment should know that this is very much a faith-first institution.
Academic Programs
Cherry Hills Christian serves students from preschool through 8th grade. The school follows a classical-influenced curriculum with an emphasis on academic rigor within a Christian framework. Small class sizes are a genuine feature here — the school’s size allows for more individual attention than many larger private schools.
The school is accredited through a recognized accrediting body and has a track record of sending graduates to strong public and private high schools in the Denver area, including Valor Christian High School, Rock Canyon High School, and others in the Douglas County and Cherry Creek school districts.
Admissions and Tuition
Cherry Hills Christian’s admissions process is less competitive than Kent Denver’s but still requires an application, student visit, and academic records review. The school has a Christian school enrollment preference but is open to students from other faith backgrounds.
Tuition is at the more moderate end of the private school spectrum — families should contact the school directly for current tuition rates, as the school does not widely publish its full tuition schedule through third-party sites. The cost is generally lower than the nonsectarian college-prep schools in the area, making it a more accessible option for families who want a values-based education without the premium price tag of Kent Denver or Colorado Academy.
📍 Cherry Hills Christian School
5657 W. Indore Ave, Highlands Ranch, CO 80103
Grades: PK–8 | Contact school for current tuition
cherryhillschristian.org
Nearby Private Schools Worth Considering
While not technically within Cherry Hills Village, two additional private schools are close enough that many village families factor them into their decision-making process:
Colorado Academy (Denver) — Grades PK–12
Colorado Academy sits on a 94-acre campus in southwest Denver at 3800 S. Pierce St, roughly a 20-minute drive from most of Cherry Hills Village. The school is one of Colorado’s most well-regarded independent schools, with a pre-K through 12th grade enrollment of approximately 1,000 students.
CA — as it’s commonly known — has a reputation for strong academics, excellent arts and athletics programs, and a collaborative rather than hyper-competitive culture. The school was founded in 1906 and has deep roots in the Denver community. Tuition runs approximately $41,550 per year for the 2025–26 school year, and the school offers substantial financial aid. Enrollment is approximately 992 students with a student-teacher ratio that supports meaningful individual attention.
For Cherry Hills Village families specifically in the Bonnie Brae, Goldsmith, or northern Cherry Hills Village areas, Colorado Academy is a realistic commute option and a serious contender at both the elementary and secondary levels.
Graland Country Day School (Denver) — Grades K–8
Graland Country Day School is an independent, nonsectarian school in Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood at 55 Clermont St. While not the closest option to Cherry Hills Village (it’s more in the east Denver area), it is a natural fit for families who live in the eastern portions of the village near University Blvd and Colorado Blvd.
Graland is known for its rigorous academics, collaborative community culture, and strong sense of mission. The school has been educating Denver students since 1886 and has an excellent reputation for preparing students for top-tier high schools and colleges. The school runs through 8th grade, so families need to plan for a high school transition — many Graland graduates go on to Kent Denver, St. Mary’s Academy, or Colorado Academy.
At a Glance: Private Schools Near Cherry Hills Village
| School | Location | Grades | Tuition (2025–26) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent Denver School | Englewood (CHV area) | 6–12 | $43,250 (2026–27) | Independent, Co-ed, College-Prep |
| St. Mary’s Academy | Cherry Hills Village | PK–12 | ~$26,000–$31,800 | Catholic (Loretto), Co-ed/Lower+Mid, All-Girls HS |
| Cherry Hills Christian School | Highlands Ranch | PK–8 | Contact school | Christian (Evangelical), Co-ed |
| Colorado Academy | Denver (SW) | PK–12 | ~$41,550 | Independent, Co-ed |
| Graland Country Day School | Denver (Hilltop) | K–8 | Contact school | Independent, Nonsectarian, Co-ed |
* Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by grade level. Contact each school directly for the most current tuition information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What private schools are actually located within Cherry Hills Village?
Two private schools are physically located within Cherry Hills Village’s city limits: St. Mary’s Academy (4545 S. University Blvd) and Kent Denver School (4000 E. Quincy Ave in Englewood, at the edge of the village). The city of Cherry Hills Village’s own directory confirms these two as the dedicated private schools within the municipality.
What does private school tuition cost near Cherry Hills Village?
For the 2025–27 school years, tuition at the private schools serving Cherry Hills Village families ranges from approximately $26,000 to $43,250 per year. Kent Denver is at the premium end ($43,250 for 2026–27), St. Mary’s Academy ranges from roughly $26,000 to $31,800 depending on grade level, and Colorado Academy is in the $41,000–$42,000 range. Financial aid is available at most of these schools and can substantially offset costs for qualifying families.
Is there a good all-girls high school option near Cherry Hills Village?
Yes — St. Mary’s Academy’s high school (grades 9–12) is an all-girls college preparatory program located within Cherry Hills Village. This is one of the few all-girls secondary schools in the Denver metro area and is well-regarded for its academic rigor, leadership development, and strong college placement outcomes for young women.
What is the admissions process for Kent Denver School?
Kent Denver’s admissions process requires an online application (including parent and student essays), transcripts and report cards from the current and prior school years, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores or an admissions assessment, and an in-person or virtual campus visit and interview. The school uses an online application portal. Applications for the 2026–27 school year should be submitted well in advance, particularly for 6th and 9th grade entry.
Is financial aid available at Cherry Hills Village private schools?
Yes — all of the major private schools serving Cherry Hills Village families offer need-based financial aid, and some offer merit-based scholarships as well. St. Mary’s Academy administers approximately $2.4 million in tuition assistance annually. Kent Denver has a robust financial aid budget and has publicly committed to increasing access for economically diverse students. Contact each school’s admissions office directly to request a financial aid application, as these are typically due around the same time as admissions applications.
Are there good private school options for younger children (pre-K through elementary) near Cherry Hills Village?
Both St. Mary’s Academy (Lower School, PK–5) and Colorado Academy (pre-K through 12) have strong early childhood and elementary programs. St. Mary’s Lower School is co-educational and focuses on foundational academics, world language exposure, and social-emotional development. Cherry Hills Christian School (PK–8) is another option for families seeking a Christian education from the earliest ages. For families wanting to start private school early, these options provide a continuum that can carry through middle school and high school.
What is the typical commute time from Cherry Hills Village to these private schools?
Kent Denver and St. Mary’s Academy are both located at the northern and eastern edges of the Cherry Hills Village area, respectively — commute times from most of the village are typically 5 to 15 minutes by car. Colorado Academy and Graland Country Day School, both in Denver proper, are closer to 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic and where in the village you live. Cherry Hills Christian School in Highlands Ranch is approximately 10 to 15 minutes from the southern portion of the village. All of these schools have before- and after-school care options that can accommodate working parents’ schedules.
Making the Decision: What to Prioritize
Choosing a private school is one of the most consequential educational decisions a family makes, and the options serving Cherry Hills Village families are genuinely strong. Here’s a simple framework to help you think through it:
- If selective college placement is the top priority — Start with Kent Denver School. Its college counseling, AP offerings, and placement track record are the strongest in the immediate area.
- If you want a faith-based education with a Catholic identity — St. Mary’s Academy is the clear choice, and its all-girls high school division is a significant differentiator for families with daughters.
- If explicit Christian values throughout the curriculum are important — Cherry Hills Christian School offers that at a potentially more accessible price point.
- If you want a pre-K through 12 continuum without switching schools — Colorado Academy or St. Mary’s Academy both offer that, while Kent Denver starts at grade 6 and Graland ends at grade 8.
- If tuition cost is a meaningful factor — Evaluate St. Mary’s Academy carefully (tuition varies by grade and tends to be lower than the premium college-prep schools) and ask about financial aid at every school. Merit and need-based aid at these institutions can be substantial.
The most important next step is to visit each school in person. The admissions tour exists for a reason — it will show you the culture, the facilities, and the community in a way that a website or a ranking cannot. Schedule your visits, ask tough questions (especially about retention rates, faculty turnover, and how the school handles learning differences), and trust your gut when you walk on campus. The school that’s right for your family is the one where your child will genuinely thrive.
And if you’re still evaluating which Cherry Hills Village neighborhood is right for your family — or you’re coming from outside the area — our Cherry Hills Village Neighborhood Guide and Cherry Creek vs. Cherry Hills Village comparison are good places to start.
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Sara Garza · LIV Sotheby’s International Realty · Cherry Hills · Greenwood Village · Cherry Creek · Wash Park