CATHOLIC · K–8 · Cupertino
Saint Joseph of Cupertino School
Parish school with enrollment priority for Saint Joseph of Cupertino parishioners. Tuition approximately $16,630/year — one of the most affordable private K–8 options in Cupertino. Strong academics. Sibling discounts available. Non-parishioners welcome after parish priority enrollment.
K–8 · ~$16,630/yr · Parish priority enrollment
CATHOLIC (JESUIT) · 9–12 · SAN JOSE
Bellarmine College Prep
All-boys Jesuit high school. Strong college placement. Tuition ~$25,000/year — lower than Harker. Need-based aid available. Service, character, and academics equally weighted. Strong alumni network in Silicon Valley. A top choice for Catholic families in San Jose and Santa Clara County.
Boys · 9–12 · ~$25,000/yr · Financial aid available
CATHOLIC · 9–12 · SAN JOSE
Notre Dame High School San Jose
All-girls Catholic high school operated by the Sisters of Notre Dame. Holistic education — academics, faith, service, and the arts. Tuition ~$27,000/year. Strong college placement, particularly to UC campuses and West Coast Catholic universities. Welcoming to non-Catholic applicants.
Girls · 9–12 · ~$27,000/yr · All faiths welcome
CATHOLIC · 9–12 · SAN JOSE
Presentation High School
All-girls Catholic school with slightly stronger academic metrics than Notre Dame. College-prep focused. Tuition ~$25,000–$28,000/year. Admission uses the school's own entrance exam plus GPA and recommendations. About 25% of students are non-Catholic. Strong science and nursing pathways.
Girls · 9–12 · ~$26,000/yr · Own entrance exam
CATHOLIC · K–8 · SAN MATEO / FOSTER CITY
Diocese of San Jose Parish Schools — Peninsula
Multiple parish elementary schools serve San Mateo, Foster City, Menlo Park, and surrounding Peninsula communities. Tuition typically $9,000–$14,000/year for parishioners, $13,000–$18,000 for non-parishioners. Contact your local parish directly — each school runs its own admissions.
K–8 · ~$9,000–$18,000/yr · Parish-dependent
EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN · K–12 · SAN JOSE
Valley Christian Schools
Large co-educational K–12 Christian school. Tuition ~$18,000/year — significantly lower than Harker. Faith integrated into every subject. Strong sports programs with Division I college placement. Rigorous academics alongside evangelical Christian values. AP courses available. Popular for South Bay Christian families.
Co-ed · K–12 · ~$18,000/yr · AP program
JEWISH DAY SCHOOL · K–8 · PALO ALTO
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School
Conservative Jewish day school in Palo Alto. Strong academic program alongside Hebrew language and Jewish studies. Draws families from across the Peninsula — accessible from Menlo Park, Foster City, and San Mateo. Pluralistic in practice — welcomes families across Jewish denominations. Tuition ~$35,000/year with need-based aid.
K–8 · ~$35,000/yr · Peninsula-wide draw
JEWISH DAY SCHOOL · K–12 · LOS ALTOS
The Tehiyah Day School
Progressive Jewish school in El Cerrito with a strong following from Peninsula families willing to commute. Hebrew immersion, Jewish culture, and strong academics. Known for exceptionally warm community. Non-Orthodox and pluralistic. Serves families across the Bay Area. Worth a visit if Jewish identity is central to your school choice.
K–8 · Bay Area draw · Strong Hebrew program
What parents ask us
Do I need to be Catholic to enroll in a Catholic school in Silicon Valley?
No. Catholic schools in Silicon Valley accept students of all faiths. However, registered parish families typically receive enrollment priority and lower tuition rates. At Bellarmine College Prep, Notre Dame High School, and Presentation High School, roughly 20–30% of students are non-Catholic. You will be expected to participate in religious curriculum and campus life, including Mass and service requirements.
How much does Catholic school cost in the San Jose and Cupertino area?
Parish elementary schools typically charge $9,000–$16,000/year for parishioners and $13,000–$18,000/year for non-parishioners. Catholic high schools run $25,000–$28,000/year — significantly less than secular elite schools like Harker at $40,000. Most schools offer need-based financial aid through the SSS application. Ask each school for the average aid award for non-parishioner families.
What is the best Christian school in Silicon Valley for academics?
Valley Christian Schools is the strongest academically among evangelical Christian options — it offers AP courses, has competitive college placement, and is accredited by WASC. For Catholic schools, Bellarmine College Prep is the most academically prestigious option for boys, and Presentation High School or Notre Dame High School for girls. All three send graduates to UC campuses and private universities regularly.
Are there Jewish day schools accessible from San Mateo or Foster City?
Yes — Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School in Palo Alto draws heavily from the Peninsula and is accessible from San Mateo, Foster City, and Menlo Park. Families from the Foster City and San Mateo corridor make up a meaningful portion of its enrollment. The school is pluralistic and welcomes families across Jewish denominations, from Reform to Conservative to unaffiliated.
What is the difference between Bellarmine and Valley Christian Schools?
Bellarmine is Catholic (Jesuit), all-male, and emphasizes the Jesuit intellectual tradition — critical thinking, service, and forming the whole person. Valley Christian is evangelical Protestant and co-educational K–12. Bellarmine tuition is ~$25,000/year; Valley Christian is ~$18,000/year. Both have strong college placement. The choice usually comes down to faith tradition and whether an all-male environment is the right fit.