Private High Schools Compete for Valley Students

Private education is thriving in the Valley region, based on data in the Business Journal’s annual list of the top private high schools showing that enrollment keeps going up. Of the 45 schools that appeared on both the current and last year’s list, 24 showed increases in the student count, while only 21 reported a small decline. At Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills, a one-to-one computer program helps distinguish the curriculum from the competition by giving each student a tablet that helps teachers and students access school work and online research. “I think it has set us apart in terms of moving forward in technology and helping students learn,” said Robert Webb, president of Chaminade. With 1,300 students, Chaminade holds the number 2 spot in the list. It is a co-ed Catholic private high school, grades 9 through 12 where students are given the opportunity to sign up for 23 advanced placement courses, 18 honors courses and the computer program. “These days there are a lot of options for families,” Webb explained. “There is an intense level of competition for schools to provide value for tuition dollar to create an environment where students can thrive and that is one of the most competitive market places in the country in terms of private schools.” Tuition at Chaminade is $16,250, for the 2017-2018 school year, but about 26 percent of Chaminade students receive financial aid. Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, ranking number 3 on the list, also offers college prep, AP and honors courses. Richard Klee, director of advancement, told the Business Journal the school’s academic program and small school feel has helped Notre Dame lure students. “We are doing well because we have a great academic program, we have a great reputation, a lot of people are looking for a good experience for their kids and they come here, and they see what we’re doing and they get excited about that,” he said. In terms of financial aid, Klee said the school tries to stay affordable as possible with an annual tuition of $15,600. Notre Dame offers aid based on need, so the greater the need of the student the greater the award. “One of the great things about Notre Dame is because we have about 1,200 students in the school, it’s sort of the perfect size. We are big enough to offer a lot of things, but small enough that we don’t lose a sense of closeness and family.” The school has a tradition of fundraising to improve the campus and program. Alumni managed to raise $13 million over a five-year period in a capital campaign called “Light the Way.” Campus construction projects funded by the campaign include a new aquatic center, baseball stadium, parking lot and fitness center. Academically, the school established 17 new endowed scholarships, each worth $25,000. Providing students with unusual learning experience is a major factor that distinguishes private high schools from public schools. At all-girl Louisville High School in Woodland Hills, the number 21 school on the list, specific programs concentrate on law, social justice, journalism, media and the arts. “About 50 percent of our students are in focus programs,” said Mary Loffa, director of admissions. “They are invited and interviewed to become part of the program at the end of their sophomore year. Programs consist of job shadowing in the field of their choice, field trips and a speaker series.” The number 5 prep on the list, Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, also offers its 1,345 students specialized programs such as entrepreneurship and music. “Students start and build their own businesses from scratch. We also collaborate internationally in our music program with the Swedish Academy of Music,” said Maria Cowell, director of communication. The school also has an online program, Oaks Christian Online, that is open to any private or public school student as a service to the community. It maintains a learning center that provides tutoring for any student, private or public, who might want extra help. “We are growing, we are striving, we are adding unique programs and we are excited about that,” Cowell said.