Best private schools in SLC/Holladay (Murray: tuition, education, campus)

[shanewear]

Originally Posted by Zionide

Outside the Catholic school system, there are Challenger schools (which I personally think are academically questionable), Waterford (which is very highly regarded academically and VERY LDS), Mount Vernon Academy (also very LDS--fundamentally, even, as some polygamist families send their children there), Wasatch Academy (boarding school in Mount Pleasant), Rowland Hall (formerly Rowland Hall-St. Mark's School, but in 2008 they dropped the "St. Marks" from their name and completely severed ties with the Episcopal Church; it is essentially a secular school now), and the McGillis School (which has slight ties to the Jewish Community Center).

Personally, if I was tied to private school, I'd pick McGillis for elementary and Rowland Hall for jr/sr. high.

But really---I'd skip the private schools, like many others here, due to cost. Yes, Rowland Hall is probably a *little* better academically than a public school, but it's definitely not $18k a year better. If you are an involved, active parent in your child's education, he or she can excel in public school with no problems.

Thanks for your thoughts - very helpful! I like the idea of McGillias and Rowland. Now I need to go look on a map for McGillis and where you need to live to attend.

[shanewear]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

You really seem to be concerned about the LDS element here in Salt Lake. I can't help but wonder why. 50% of your neighbors are going to be LDS. 50% of your kids' friends probably will be, too. It is what it is. If this really is as big a concern as I'm sensing it is, maybe Salt Lake City isn't "the place" for you, after all. Maybe someplace like Boulder, Colorado would be a better fit.

I wouldn't say I'm overly concerned about the LDS piece of moving to the area, but it is definitely a consideration. I imagine it's a consideration for a lot of people moving to SLC who are not religious.

[Dave_Johnson]

Originally Posted by shanewear

I wouldn't say I'm overly concerned about the LDS piece of moving to the area, but it is definitely a consideration. I imagine it's a consideration for a lot of people moving to SLC who are not religious.

Shanewear,

I agree with the comment to which you're responding. If you're overly concerned about it, I would move to somewhere like Denver. If you're just a little bit concerned/interested, then go ahead and give it a shot for a year to see how you like it.

It's kind of like the people on the Southern California forum who are worried that there aren't a lot of liberals living in Newport Beach. If it's that big of a worry, I wouldn't risk it, otherwise you won't be happy.

We all want a place to have similar things such as our home. However, if everything were the exact same, what's the point of moving and experiencing something different.

I am thinking of moving to Oregon, Washington, or Southern California. While I wouldn't mind if there were some elements of Utah in these places, I am not going to long for them when I get there. I would just try and appreciate where I am moving and make the best. If it is so dreadful I can't stand it, I'll be back to Utah in a year or two.

This is America though. Is it really that bad anywhere? Even the midwest and the south probably have some awesome places to live.

[skibarbie]

Don't worry about where you live in order to attend any of the private schools, just worry about the tuition! As far as I know, there are no boundaries for attending. Some of my friends have their kids ride the bus from PC to Waterford/Rowland Hall or drive them down.
Odd thing-to me anyway-you don't even have attend the public school in your neighborhood either. I really feel that is a mistake for many reasons but that's the way it is.

[shanewear]

Originally Posted by Dave_Johnson

Shanewear,

I agree with the comment to which you're responding. If you're overly concerned about it, I would move to somewhere like Denver. If you're just a little bit concerned/interested, then go ahead and give it a shot for a year to see how you like it.

It's kind of like the people on the Southern California forum who are worried that there aren't a lot of liberals living in Newport Beach. If it's that big of a worry, I wouldn't risk it, otherwise you won't be happy.

We all want a place to have similar things such as our home. However, if everything were the exact same, what's the point of moving and experiencing something different.

I am thinking of moving to Oregon, Washington, or Southern California. While I wouldn't mind if there were some elements of Utah in these places, I am not going to long for them when I get there. I would just try and appreciate where I am moving and make the best. If it is so dreadful I can't stand it, I'll be back to Utah in a year or two.

This is America though. Is it really that bad anywhere? Even the midwest and the south probably have some awesome places to live.

Food for thought, but I don't think the LDS situation is of primary concern.

Originally Posted by skibarbie

Don't worry about where you live in order to attend any of the private schools, just worry about the tuition! As far as I know, there are no boundaries for attending. Some of my friends have their kids ride the bus from PC to Waterford/Rowland Hall or drive them down.

Good to know!

[mlb]

Shanewear - Check out the Catholic school on the south end of the valley - Skaggs Catholic center....lots of non-catholics attend including LDS. I heard somewhere that tuition was 4K a year... tho I could be wrong.

Particularly if you want to live on the eastern end of the county (Cottonwood Heights, East Sandy, near the Canyons).

Also - I understand you're from California? We moved here 21 years ago from LA - and have never looked back. You'll be in good company.

[kaytidid]

I do believe that tuition is right around there. Here is the link for Skaggs Catholic Center if you are interested. If I lived in the south end of the valley and could afford it, I would send my girls there.

Skaggs Catholic Center | Draper Utah

[shanewear]

I'm a little clueless about private schools. Can anyone attend if they pay the tuition and pass the interview? I'm looking at McGillis/Rowland in particular.

[kaytidid]

I believe so, yes. Unless it is a private school for gifted children, then they would probably have to pass an entrance exam.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by mlb

Shanewear - Check out the Catholic school on the south end of the valley - Skaggs Catholic center....lots of non-catholics attend including LDS. I heard somewhere that tuition was 4K a year... tho I could be wrong..

Like most Catholic diocese, the Diocese of Salt Lake City has a two-tier system at all levels. PRACTICING, active Catholics pay approximately 20-30% less than non-Catholics. Looking at the websites, the tuition for the elementary school is about $5500 and the high school about $9000, before the discount. How does the school KNOW if you are active? Usually your pastor will see if you have contributed to the church or have been an active participant.

In general, if you are active in the parish, they will find a way of getting you to attend Catholic school EVEN IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT. My friend's father was killed in an industrial accident. The family did not pay another cent in tuition as the mother was struggling to make ends meet.

Why pay for Catholic schools when public schools are "FREE"? Many parents want to send their children to schools where their values are reinforced, rather than ridiculed. The public schools in my area had a real anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic bias.