Best Private Schools in Englewood Colorado: A Parent’s Complete Education Guide for 2026

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Why Englewood Families Look at Private Schools

Englewood sits at an interesting intersection in the South Denver education landscape. The city operates its own Englewood School District (PK-12), which serves roughly 3,500 students across a handful of neighborhood schools. For many families, the district does exactly what’s needed. But for others – especially those with specific academic goals, faith-based preferences, or kids who need a different kind of environment – private alternatives become the obvious answer.

The 80110 and 80113 ZIP codes put Englewood families within reasonable driving distance of some of the strongest private schools in the entire Denver metro. Kent Denver School is practically in Englewood’s backyard. St. Mary’s Academy is a five-minute drive from most of the city’s southern neighborhoods. Catholic schools like All Souls sit right in the heart of Englewood proper. The access is genuinely good – it just takes a little to know what’s what.

This guide covers every major private school option in and around Englewood, with real names, addresses, phone numbers, and what actually differentiates each one. No filler, no rankings that don’t hold up to scrutiny.

The Public School Baseline: Englewood School District

Before diving into private options, it helps to know what Englewood’s public school system offers. Englewood School District (often abbreviated EPSD) operates schools under the Englewood Schools brand and covers the city of Englewood proper.

Englewood School District

4101 South Bannock Street, Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: (303) 761-7050

Website: englewoodschools.net

Grades: PK-12

The district’s schools – Englewood High School, Englewood Middle School, and several elementary schools – serve the city’s core neighborhoods well. State test scores sit around the Colorado average, and class sizes are manageable. The district runs a solid special education program and has made investments in technology infrastructure in recent years.

The key limitation is range. Englewood School District has one high school, which means the breadth of AP coursework, specialized programs, and extracurricular depth found in larger districts like Cherry Creek isn’t there. For families wanting those options without leaving the public system, the geographic workaround is using open enrollment to access neighboring districts – but that’s a separate process with its own complications.

Private schools in the area essentially fill the gap for families who want a more customized educational experience without the open-enrollment workaround.

The Flagship: Kent Denver School

When Englewood families talk about private schools, Kent Denver is usually the first name out of everyone’s mouth – and for good reason. It’s the dominant secular private school in the south Denver area and draws heavily from Englewood, Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, and the surrounding communities.

Kent Denver School

4000 E. Quincy Avenue, Englewood, CO 80113

Phone: (303) 770-7660

Website: kentdenver.org

Type: Private, secular | Grades: 6-12 | Enrollment: ~660

The campus – technically in Cherry Hills Village but sharing a border with Englewood – spans over 40 acres. The physical environment matters at Kent Denver; it’s a school that was built to feel different from a conventional public school, and it delivers on that.

Academically, Kent Denver runs a Harkness-style curriculum, which means classroom desks are arranged in a oval and most instruction happens as Socratic discussion rather than lecture. This is genuinely different from how most kids experience school, and it produces a distinct type of student – one who can argue a position, push back on an idea respectfully, and think on their feet. Not every kid thrives in that environment, but for the right student it’s transformative.

The school offers a full college-preparatory curriculum with honors and AP courses, and the elective range is surprisingly deep for a school of 660 students. College placement is consistently strong; graduates attend highly selective universities across the country year in and year out.

Athletics are competitive in the Colorado Association of Private Schools (CAUPS) classification. The school fields teams across the major sports and has earned its share of championships over the years.

Tuition is in the $41,190 range for the 2025-2026 school year (confirm current rates directly with the school). Financial aid is meaningful – Kent Denver commits a substantial portion of its budget to need-based aid, so sticker price isn’t necessarily the final price for families who demonstrate financial need. The admission process is selective; prospective students visit for a shadow day and go through an evaluation process. Applications for fall enrollment typically open in October and close in February.

If there’s a knock on Kent Denver, it’s that the culture skews toward high-achieving, college-bound students and can feel intense for kids who are bright but not academically driven in that particular way. It’s also grades 6-12 only – there’s no lower school, so families with younger children need an interim solution before Kent.

Faith-Based Alternatives: St. Mary’s Academy and All Souls Catholic

St. Mary’s Academy – PK-12 Catholic

St. Mary’s Academy is the other dominant private school in this part of South Denver, and it’s been doing it longer than almost anyone. Founded by the Sisters of Loretto, the school occupies a spacious campus in Cherry Hills Village that borders Englewood directly.

St. Mary’s Academy

4545 S. University Blvd, Englewood, CO 80113

Phone: (303) 762-8300

Email: info@smanet.org

Website: stmarys.academy

Type: Private, Catholic (Loretto tradition) | Grades: PK-12 | Enrollment: ~700

What sets St. Mary’s apart from many faith-based schools is the breadth – it runs all the way from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. For families who want one school that can carry a child from age 4 to graduation, SMA is one of the few genuine options in this part of Denver.

The academic program is college-preparatory, with AP coursework available at the upper school level. The Loretto faith tradition is woven into the culture rather than just slapped on – service hours, retreats, and character development are part of what the school considers central to its mission. That resonates strongly with some families and is simply not what others are looking for, which is fine – it just means honest self-assessment before applying.

Class sizes are smaller than the public schools, and the community feel is tighter. Parents tend to be highly engaged, which helps drive outcomes. Athletics and arts programs are both solid; the school competes in the CAUPS classification alongside Kent Denver and other metro private schools.

Because the campus sits on the Englewood/Cherry Hills Village border, many families who think of SMA as “Cherry Hills” don’t realize it’s equally accessible from Englewood neighborhoods south of Hampden Avenue. It’s genuinely a local school for a large chunk of South Englewood.

All Souls Catholic School – K-8

For Englewood families who want Catholic education but prefer a school that’s fully in Englewood proper, All Souls Catholic School is the answer. Located on South Pennsylvania Street – essentially central Englewood – it’s been a neighborhood institution for decades.

All Souls Catholic School

4951 S. Pennsylvania St, Englewood, CO 80113

Phone: (303) 789-2155

Early Learning Center: (303) 783-9099

Website: allsoulscatholic.org/school

Type: Private, Catholic | Grades: K-8 | Enrollment: ~300

All Souls is a smaller operation than St. Mary’s – roughly 300 students versus SMA’s 700 – and that difference in scale is noticeable. Class sizes are small, teachers know every kid, and the parish community connection is real. For families who live within walking or driving distance of the school, All Souls offers a genuinely community-scale Catholic education without the larger private school machinery.

The school runs a solid academic program through 8th grade. Graduates typically go on to a range of public and private high schools in the area, including St. Mary’s Academy, Legend (the public high school serving this part of Englewood), and various Catholic high schools across Denver. The All Souls Early Learning Center handles pre-kindergarten separately.

One thing worth noting: All Souls is K-8, so it doesn’t solve the high school question. Families need to think about the transition plan – whether that’s St. Mary’s Academy for high school, Kent Denver (if accepted), a public high school, or something else entirely. All Souls is a strong K-8 choice, but it’s one piece of a longer puzzle.

Nearby Private Schools Within a 10-Minute Drive

Englewood’s geographic position – essentially straddling the border between unincorporated Arapahoe County and the city of Englewood – means several schools that aren’t technically “in Englewood” are still closer than you’d expect from a Denver address. Here’s what’s worth knowing:

Colorado Academy – PK-12 Non-Sectarian

Technically in southwest Denver rather than Englewood, Colorado Academy is still within a 15-minute drive from most of Englewood’s southern neighborhoods. CA occupies a 94-acre campus and serves roughly 1,000 students from PK through 12th grade. It’s non-sectarian, progressive in its pedagogy, and emphasizes experiential and outdoor learning alongside strong academics. Tuition is comparable to Kent Denver. Families from Greenwood Village and Englewood make up a significant share of the student body.

Colorado Academy

3800 S. Pierce St, Denver, CO 80235

Website: coloradoacademy.org

Type: Private, non-sectarian | Grades: PK-12

Littleton Montessori School – PK-8 Montessori

For families specifically seeking a Montessori approach, Littleton Montessori School is the closest genuine Montessori option to Englewood. It’s about a 10-minute drive from central Englewood in the Littleton direction. The school serves preschool through 8th grade with an authentic Montessori curriculum – multi-age classrooms, self-directed work cycles, and mixed-grade groupings. This is a meaningful differentiator if traditional school structures aren’t working for your child.

Littleton Montessori School

6923 W Chatfield Ave, Littleton, CO 80128

Phone: (303) 972-8555

Website: littletonmontessori.com

Type: Private, Montessori | Grades: PK-8

Denver Christian School – K-12 Christian

Located in Lakewood, Denver Christian School is roughly a 20-minute drive from Englewood but serves families across the Denver metro. It’s a non-denominational Christian school with a college-prep focus, running from kindergarten through 12th grade. Like Valor Christian, it’s genuinely faith-integrated, not just nominally so. If you’re open to the drive and want a Christian school that covers the full K-12 range, it’s worth a look.

Denver Christian School

2135 S. Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80227

Website: denverchristian.org

Type: Private, Christian | Grades: K-12

Charter Schools Near Englewood: Worth a Look

Englewood sits adjacent to several high-performing charter schools that receive public funding but operate with more autonomy than typical district schools. They don’t appear in “private school” lists, but they’re worth knowing about as alternatives:

• Cherry Creek Academy (CORE Knowledge charter, K-8) – Located nearby, open enrollment, public funding. Strong academic track record.
• Great Work Montessori (public charter, K-8) – Authentic Montessori delivered through a public charter, which means no tuition. Serving Englewood area students.

Charter schools don’t appear in this guide’s main rankings because they’re publicly funded and not technically private schools. But for Englewood families doing a full education landscape review, they’re part of the picture.

What to Actually Look at When Evaluating Private Schools

Visiting a school’s website and reading its marketing materials is the starting point, not the ending point. Here’s what actually matters when you’re making this decision:

Campus Visit and Shadow Day

Every school on this list offers shadow days or formal tours. Do them. Not to evaluate the facilities – you’re evaluating the feel. Watch how students interact with each other and with teachers. Does the energy feel alive or performative? Are teachers engaged with students or going through the motions? Your gut reaction after two hours on campus is usually more accurate than a spreadsheet of test scores.

The Faith Integration Question

Be honest with yourself here. If you’re applying to a Christian or Catholic school, are you genuinely on board with the faith component being woven into the curriculum, chapel, service requirements, and community life? Or are you treating it as a good school that happens to have a religious label? That misalignment causes problems for kids and families. Faith-based schools are wonderful when there’s genuine alignment; they’re a poor fit when the faith component is treated as a formality.

Your Child’s Learning Style

Kent Denver’s Harkness discussion model is extraordinary for the right student and genuinely uncomfortable for others. Small Catholic schools like All Souls are intimate and community-oriented, which some kids thrive in and others find claustrophobic. Large public high schools like Englewood High give breadth but require self-advocacy. Match the environment to your kid’s actual personality, not the kid you hope they’ll become.

Financial Aid and the Real Cost

Private school sticker prices are intimidating, but financial aid is more available than most families assume. Kent Denver in particular has a significant aid budget. Before ruling out a school based on tuition, actually call the admissions office and ask. The number on the website is the starting negotiation point, not the final number for many families.

High School Transition Planning

If you’re looking at a K-8 school like All Souls, have a plan for what happens after 8th grade. The high school landscape for Englewood-area kids includes Englewood High (public), Legend High School (public, Cherry Creek School District), Kent Denver (private), St. Mary’s Academy (private), and others. The best time to think about that transition is before you’re in it.

Tuition and Financial Aid Overview for 2026

Here’s a realistic cost snapshot based on available data for the 2025-2026 school year. Confirm current tuition directly with each school – these are indicative ranges:

Note: Englewood School District public schools are free for Englewood residents. Charter schools like Cherry Creek Academy and Great Work Montessori are also publicly funded with no tuition.

Most private schools on this list offer need-based financial aid. Kent Denver and St. Mary’s Academy have the most robust aid programs. All Souls has a more limited aid budget given its smaller scale, but the lower tuition means it’s already more accessible. Always ask the school directly about your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What school district is Englewood in?

Englewood operates its own Englewood School District (EPSD), serving students in Englewood city limits. The district’s single high school is Englewood High School. Some Englewood addresses near the Cherry Creek School District boundary may have CCSD as an option through open enrollment – check with both districts using your specific address before making school decisions.

What is the best private school in the Englewood area?

There’s no single “best” – it depends entirely on what fits your child. Kent Denver School is the strongest secular college-prep option and serves grades 6-12. St. Mary’s Academy is the best full PK-12 faith-based option and shares a border with Englewood. All Souls Catholic School is the most accessible for Englewood families wanting a neighborhood-scale K-8 Catholic education. Each fills a different role.

Are there good Montessori schools near Englewood?

The closest authentic Montessori school to Englewood is Littleton Montessori School (about 10 minutes away in Littleton). Great Work Montessori is a public charter school serving the Englewood area with authentic Montessori methodology at no tuition cost – it’s a compelling option for families committed to the Montessori approach without the private school price tag.

How do I apply to private schools near Englewood?

Each school has its own process, but the general timeline for fall enrollment is: visit in the fall/winter (September-January), submit an application with your child’s records, schedule a shadow day, and await admissions decisions (typically February-March). Kent Denver’s process is the most selective. All Souls and St. Mary’s have more straightforward admissions processes. Financial aid applications are usually separate from the admissions application – ask each school about deadlines for both.

The Bottom Line

Englewood families are genuinely well-positioned for private school access. You have Kent Denver practically in your backyard – one of the strongest secular private schools in the state. St. Mary’s Academy is five minutes away for PK-12 Catholic education. All Souls sits right in the middle of the city for K-8 Catholic families. And you’re close enough to Colorado Academy, Littleton Montessori, and Denver Christian that all of them are realistic commute options rather than pipe dreams.

The honest advice: visit everything on this list before you decide anything. School culture is felt more than it can be explained in a paragraph. The right school for another family may not be the right school for yours. Use this guide as a starting map, then go see for yourself.

Sources: School websites, Niche.com, Colorado Department of Education, direct school contact data. Tuition figures are indicative ranges – confirm current tuition and financial aid availability directly with each school. School boundaries and feeder patterns should be confirmed with the relevant district before making enrollment decisions.