Best Denver Neighborhoods for Private Schools
Elite prep schools, top private institutions, and strong public alternatives within your neighborhood.
Denver Private Schools Reality:
- • Kent Denver, St. Mary's Academy, Denver Academy are tier-1 (tuition $20-30k/yr)
- • Most elite schools are in/near Washington Park, Cherry Creek, Hilltop
- • Public schools like Ent, Drake are excellent + free
- • School choice = neighborhood choice (commute matters)
📚 Washington Park / Crestmoor
Private Schools Nearby
Walk Score
92
St. Mary's Academy • Montessori Center of Denver • Dalton School • Kent Denver
Washington Park is private school central. Within 10 min: elite prep schools. Neighborhood has academic culture.
Median Price
$1.1M - $1.5M
Vibe
Family-oriented, educated demographics, walkable to schools
⚠️ Reality check: Budget-conscious families—tuition ($15-30k/yr) + high real estate
🏫 Cherry Creek North
Private Schools Nearby
Walk Score
85
Denver Academy • Graland Country Day School • Wyman School • St. Paul's Episcopal
Urban families with means. Private schools cater to downtown professionals. Easy drop-off from Cherry Creek.
Median Price
$1.3M - $2.2M
Vibe
Urban professionals, no yard maintenance, school buses from your building
⚠️ Reality check: Those wanting suburban space—it's high-density, downtown-adjacent
🎓 Park Hill / Mayfair
Private Schools Nearby
Walk Score
65
Ent Elementary (public top choice) • Kent Denver • Cherry Creek High (magnet) • DSST
Top public schools PLUS private options. Great foundation school (Ent). Private schools nearby for secondary.
Median Price
$850k - $1.1M
Vibe
Stable families, established neighborhood, less transient than newer areas
⚠️ Reality check: Those wanting new construction—most homes are 1970s-1990s
📖 Hilltop
Private Schools Nearby
Walk Score
58
Steele Elementary • Lincoln Middle • Kent Denver • St. Mary's Academy
Top public + private schools within walking distance. Quiet, residential, family-oriented.
Median Price
$900k - $1.3M
Vibe
Families, parks, established trees, school-adjacent
⚠️ Reality check: Those wanting urban walkability—car-dependent for everything except school
✨ Cory Merrill
Private Schools Nearby
Walk Score
78
Drake Elementary • Steele Elementary (boundary) • South High • Denver public magnet programs
Newer construction area with improving schools. Drake is strong. Private schools 10 min away.
Median Price
$850k - $1.2M
Vibe
Young families, gentrifying, community building
⚠️ Reality check: Those wanting established school prestige—it's improving, not "legacy"
Public vs. Private: Real Costs
Denver Public Schools (Free)
- ✓ Ent Elementary (Park Hill) — Top 5% nationally
- ✓ Drake Elementary (Cory Merrill) — Rising
- ✓ Steele Elementary (Hilltop) — Strong STEM
- ✓ School choice = magnet programs available
- ✗ Class sizes larger (25-30 students)
Elite Private Schools ($20-30k/yr)
- ✓ Kent Denver, St. Mary's Academy — Very selective
- ✓ Smaller class sizes (12-15 students)
- ✓ College prep focused
- ✓ More flexibility on curriculum
- ✗ Tuition alone = $180-270k over 9 years
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