What are the best private schools in South Denver?
South Denver families have access to some of Colorado’s top private schools, including Kent Denver School (grades 6-12, Englewood) and Colorado Academy (PK-12, Denver) for secular options, and St. Mary’s Academy (K-12, Englewood) for Catholic education. Tuition ranges from approximately $12,000 to $38,000 per year, with financial aid available at most schools. Private school is worth considering if you’re seeking smaller class sizes, faith-based curricula, specialized learning approaches, or stronger college counseling resources than your district school may offer.
South Denver has a strong public school ecosystem — Cherry Creek School District and Denver Public Schools both have standout programs. But for families who want smaller class sizes, specialized curricula, religious education, or simply more control over their child’s learning environment, the region’s private school options are worth a serious look. This guide covers the best private schools in South Denver and the surrounding suburbs, from Montessori programs for toddlers to college-prep academies that send graduates to the Ivies.
Why Some South Denver Families Choose Private Schools
Let’s be honest about the tradeoffs. Private school in the Denver area means tuition — often between $10,000 and $35,000 per year, depending on the school. That’s a real cost, and it’s not the right choice for every family. But for those who pursue it, the reasons are typically specific:
- Smaller class sizes — Many South Denver private schools run 12–18 students per classroom, compared to 25–30 in public schools.
- Religious or values-based education — Catholic, Christian, and Jewish schools are well-represented across South Denver.
- Specialized curricula — Montessori, classical education, and arts-intensive programs that public schools don’t offer at scale.
- Consistent peer community — Families who want their children with a stable cohort throughout their education often prefer schools with lower transfer rates.
- College counseling — The best private high schools in South Denver have dedicated college counseling staff with track records placing students at selective universities.
None of this is a knock on public schools. Cherry Creek High School and Thomas Jefferson are excellent. But private school fills a different niche, and South Denver happens to have some very good options.
Best Private Elementary Schools in South Denver
St. Mary’s Academy (K–12, Englewood)
St. Mary’s Academy is one of the oldest and most respected private schools in Colorado, founded in 1864 by the Sisters of Loretto. Located in Cherry Hills Village, the school serves students from preschool through 12th grade — with a co-ed Lower School (PK–5) and Middle School (6–8), and an all-girls college preparatory High School (9–12). It’s among the most accessible private schools for families across South Denver, Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, and Littleton.
St. Mary’s is Catholic in the Loretto tradition, but admits students of all faiths. The academic program is rigorous: 26 AP courses, strong fine arts, and a dedicated college counseling team. Graduates attend schools including Georgetown, Boston College, Villanova, and Colorado’s own top universities.
📍 St. Mary’s Academy
4545 S. University Blvd, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113 | stmarys.academy
Denver Christian School (K–12, Lakewood/South Denver)
Denver Christian School operates with a Reformed Christian educational philosophy — meaning faith is woven into every subject, not treated as a separate chapel hour. The school has been educating Denver-area students since 1923, and its culture tends to attract families who want academic rigor paired with an explicitly Christian worldview.
Class sizes are small, extracurriculars are active, and the high school division has solid AP availability. Denver Christian draws from across the South Denver metro, and while its campus is technically in Lakewood, many of its families live in Cherry Hills, Greenwood Village, and South Denver proper.
📍 Denver Christian School
2135 S. Lamar St, Lakewood, CO 80227 | denverchristian.org
Graland Country Day School (K–8, Denver)
Graland Country Day School is a nonsectarian, independent school in Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood — adjacent to South Denver and a natural draw for Cherry Creek, Congress Park, and Bonnie Brae families. Graland has a reputation for rigorous academics, small classes, and a community-minded culture that feels genuinely collaborative rather than cutthroat.
The school runs through 8th grade, so families do need to plan their high school transition. But many Graland graduates go on to South Denver’s top private high schools or into the IB program at East High School with strong preparation. The campus itself is beautiful — a country day school feel within city limits.
📍 Graland Country Day School
55 Clermont St, Denver, CO 80220 | graland.org
Colorado Academy (PK–12, Denver)
Colorado Academy — “CA” to most people who’ve heard of it — sits on a beautiful 94-acre campus in southwest Denver and is widely considered one of the premier independent schools in Colorado. Founded in 1906, CA is a pre-K through 12th grade school with a student body that skews toward Denver’s professional and business community.
The academics are selective and rigorous, the arts and athletics programs are well-funded, and the college placement results are strong — CA graduates regularly earn admission to highly selective universities. Tuition runs toward the high end for Colorado private schools, but financial aid is available and the school is committed to expanding its socioeconomic diversity.
For South Denver families, especially those in the Bonnie Brae, Washington Park, and Platt Park areas, CA is a realistic commute and a serious consideration for parents who prioritize academics and school culture.
📍 Colorado Academy
3800 S. Pierce St, Denver, CO 80235 | coloradoacademy.org
Montessori and Alternative Private Schools
Wildflower School (Montessori, Preschool–K)
For early childhood, South Denver parents have good Montessori options. Wildflower School in Cherry Creek offers a true AMI-aligned Montessori program for children ages 2.5 through Kindergarten. The materials, the trained teachers, and the prepared environment are exactly what the Montessori model calls for — and unlike some schools that market the Montessori name without the substance, Wildflower takes it seriously.
If you’re a South Denver parent interested in Montessori beyond kindergarten, you’ll need to look at Montessori-style charter options (like Montessori del Mundo, a DPS school) or transition to another independent school. Full Montessori through middle school is limited in the South Denver area.
Alexander Dawson School at Wind Dance Farm (K–8, Broomfield)
This one’s a stretch geographically, but worth knowing: Alexander Dawson School at its Broomfield campus has a national reputation for progressive, inquiry-based learning on a working farm campus. South Denver families willing to commute for something genuinely different will find it memorable. Most South Denver families, though, will stick closer to home.
Best Private Middle Schools in South Denver
Most private schools in South Denver run K–8 or K–12, so middle school isn’t usually a standalone decision — it’s part of a continuous enrollment. The notable exceptions:
Kent Denver School (6–12, Englewood)
Kent Denver School is the private school South Denver families talk about most when serious college placement is the goal. Founded as two schools that merged in 1974, Kent Denver sits on a 35-acre campus in the Cherry Hills area of Englewood and serves grades 6 through 12.
The academics are genuinely rigorous — this is one of those schools where AP courses are common and the student culture values intellectual achievement without being soul-crushing about it. Kent Denver graduates attend Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, and the full range of selective colleges. The arts and athletics programs are strong, and the campus itself is one of the nicest private school campuses in Colorado.
Tuition is significant ($35,000+ at the high school level), but financial aid is robust. Kent Denver actively recruits students from diverse backgrounds, and the financial aid budget reflects that commitment.
📍 Kent Denver School
4000 E. Quincy Ave, Englewood, CO 80113 | kentdenver.org
Best Private High Schools in South Denver
Kent Denver School (6–12)
Already mentioned above — and worth repeating here. For high school placement, Kent Denver is the name that comes up most consistently when South Denver families ask about private high school options. If selective college admission is a priority, this is the school to evaluate first.
Regis Jesuit High School (9–12, Aurora — Boys and Girls Divisions)
Regis Jesuit operates two separate campuses — a Boys Division and a Girls Division — in Aurora, which sits southeast of South Denver proper. The Jesuit educational model emphasizes “cura personalis” (care of the whole person), rigorous academics, and service to others. Regis Jesuit produces college-ready graduates who tend to be well-rounded and community-oriented.
The school’s location in Aurora puts it farther from South Denver’s core neighborhoods than Kent Denver or St. Mary’s, but many South Denver families make the commute. Tuition is mid-range for the private high school tier, and financial aid is available.
📍 Regis Jesuit High School
6400 S. Lewiston Way, Aurora, CO 80016 | regisjesuit.com
Mullen High School (9–12, Southwest Denver)
Mullen High School is a Catholic co-ed high school in southwest Denver run by the De La Salle Christian Brothers. Mullen has a strong athletic tradition (watch for their football and lacrosse programs) alongside solid academics and an active faith community. The school tends to draw students from across the South Denver metro, including Littleton, Centennial, and the Highlands Ranch area.
Mullen’s tuition is lower than Kent Denver’s, making it a more accessible private high school option for families who want a structured, values-based environment without the full premium price tag.
📍 Mullen High School
3601 S. Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO 80236 | mullenhigh.com
How to Evaluate Private Schools: What to Actually Ask
Visiting a school and attending an admissions event will show you the best version of everything. Here’s what to dig into beyond the tour:
- Student retention rate — How many students leave each year? High turnover at the student level can signal problems that a beautiful campus won’t show you.
- Faculty retention — Do teachers stay? Long-tenured faculty typically means a stable, positive culture.
- Class size by grade level — Ask specifically about the grade your child will enter, not just the school-wide average.
- College placement history — Ask for the last three years of college matriculation data, not just the top highlights. Where did the full class go?
- Learning support — If your child has an IEP, 504, or any learning differences, ask directly about how the school handles this. Answers vary widely.
- Financial aid timeline — When do aid decisions come out? Are they need-based only, or merit-based too?
- Admissions selectivity — Some South Denver private schools are more selective than others. Understanding this helps you plan your application process.
Tuition Ranges for South Denver Private Schools (2026)
| School | Grades | Annual Tuition (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Academy | PK–12 | $28,000–$38,000 |
| Kent Denver School | 6–12 | $30,000–$37,000 |
| Graland Country Day | K–8 | $25,000–$32,000 |
| St. Mary’s Academy | K–12 | $17,000–$24,000 |
| Mullen High School | 9–12 | $16,000–$21,000 |
| Denver Christian School | K–12 | $12,000–$18,000 |
| Regis Jesuit | 9–12 | $18,000–$22,000 |
Note: Tuition figures are estimates based on published rates and may change. Always verify current rates directly with the school. Most schools offer financial aid that can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best private school in South Denver?
Kent Denver School and Colorado Academy are consistently considered the top private schools serving South Denver families. Kent Denver (grades 6–12) in Englewood is particularly well-regarded for college placement and academic rigor. Colorado Academy (PK–12) in southwest Denver offers a full K–12 private education on a beautiful 94-acre campus. The best choice depends on your child’s grade level, learning style, and whether you prefer a secular or faith-based environment.
Are there Catholic private schools in South Denver?
Yes — South Denver has several strong Catholic private school options. St. Mary’s Academy (K–12) in Englewood is one of Colorado’s oldest Catholic schools, founded by the Sisters of Loretto in 1864. Mullen High School (9–12) in southwest Denver is run by the De La Salle Christian Brothers and has a strong athletic and academic tradition. Regis Jesuit (9–12) in Aurora follows the Jesuit educational model and serves both boys and girls in separate divisions.
How much does private school cost in South Denver?
Private school tuition in South Denver ranges from approximately $12,000 per year at more affordable options like Denver Christian School to $35,000–$38,000 per year at premium schools like Colorado Academy and Kent Denver. Most private schools offer need-based financial aid, and some offer merit scholarships as well. The actual out-of-pocket cost depends on your family’s financial situation and the school’s aid budget.
Is private school worth it in South Denver?
South Denver already has strong public school options — Cherry Creek School District and parts of Denver Public Schools with programs like Bradley International School are legitimate alternatives. Private school is worth it if you’re seeking specific things: smaller class sizes, a faith-based curriculum, specialized learning approaches, or maximum control over your child’s educational environment. If selective college placement is your primary goal, schools like Kent Denver have a strong track record. But families in Cherry Creek School District in particular should carefully evaluate whether private school adds enough value over an already strong public option.
Are there Montessori schools in South Denver?
South Denver has limited private Montessori options for older students, but there are AMI-aligned programs for early childhood. For older grades, Denver Public Schools operates Montessori del Mundo, a free charter school serving K–8. True private Montessori through middle school is not widely available in South Denver, and most families transition to traditional independent schools or IB programs after the primary Montessori years.
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