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Milpitas, Santa Clara County · Silicon Valley · 2026–27 Enrollment Guide

Best Private Schools in Milpitas, CA

Private schools near Milpitas — rated across 6 categories using reviews from Google, Yelp, Niche.com, and GreatSchools. Average tuition: $18,900/year. Average class ratio: 10:1.

8
Private schools
$18K
Avg tuition/yr
10:1
Avg class ratio
Jan
Aid deadline
Top-rated private schools near Milpitas
Ratings aggregated from Google, Yelp, Niche.com, GreatSchools, and Indeed staff reviews · 2026
The Harker School
San Jose, CA · Grades PK–12 · Independent · Coed
4.6
Annual tuition: ~$40,000+
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BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
San Jose, CA · Grades K–12 · STEM · Coed
4.4
Annual tuition: ~$27,000
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Cambrian Academy
San Jose, CA · Grades 6–12 · Future-Ready · 84 students
4.4
Annual tuition: ~$18,000
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Fusion Academy Cupertino
Cupertino, CA · Grades 4–12 · 1-to-1 · AI-ready
4.3
Annual tuition: Contact for pricing
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Presentation High School
San Jose, CA · Grades 9–12 · Catholic · All-female
4.5
Annual tuition: $31,220
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Notre Dame High School
San Jose, CA · Grades 9–12 · Catholic · Coed
4.3
Annual tuition: ~$24,000
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About private schools in Milpitas

Private school landscape in Milpitas, CA

Milpitas is rapidly growing Silicon Valley city with a large South Asian and East Asian community. It sits within the Milpitas Unified School District, which provides Milpitas High School within Milpitas Unified — a competitive school with strong STEM programs. For families seeking private education, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (10 min), The Harker School (15 min), and Stratford School are among the most frequently considered options in and near the city.

Milpitas has one of the highest concentrations of South Asian and East Asian families in Silicon Valley, with many parents employed in semiconductor, software, and biotech industries. STEM-intensive private school programs and internationally benchmarked curricula are in high demand.

Private school tuition near Milpitas ranges from approximately $13,000/yr to $40,000+/yr. The average class ratio across private schools in the area is approximately 10:1. Most schools offer need-based financial aid through FACTS or SSS — financial aid applications should be submitted by January 2027 for Fall 2027 enrollment.

How to choose a private school near Milpitas

When evaluating private schools near Milpitas, look for specific, verifiable data rather than marketing language. A trustworthy school provides: average class size (not a range — an actual number), student-teacher ratio, named faculty with qualifications, actual college matriculation data for high schools (where students enrolled, not just where they were accepted), and a complete fee schedule including every mandatory charge beyond headline tuition.

The California Department of Education does not regulate, approve, or endorse private K–12 schools — a school's CDE Private School Affidavit is a registration document, not a quality certification. Accreditation from a named body (WASC, WCEA, or NAIS membership) is a more meaningful signal. Verify which accreditor a school uses before treating "accredited" as a trust signal.

For a complete guide to the admissions process, deadlines, financial aid, and what to look for during campus visits, see our San Jose private school admissions timeline. For AI and coding school options, see which private schools near Milpitas teach AI in 2026.

Data sources: Milpitas Unified School District · California private school directory

Frequently asked questions — Milpitas private schools
What parents ask us: What private schools are near Milpitas? How do I know if my child is ready for a competitive private school? What financial aid is available? When should I start the application process? How do I compare public Milpitas schools to private options? Answers below.
What private schools are near Milpitas, CA?
Private schools near Milpitas include Stratford School (multiple Silicon Valley campuses, PreK–8), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in San Jose (10 minutes, K–12, STEM-intensive, ~$27,000/yr), and The Harker School in San Jose (15 minutes, PK–12, ~$40,000/yr). Several faith-based programs also serve the Milpitas area.
What private schools are near Milpitas, CA?
Milpitas is 8 miles from downtown San Jose and 10 miles from Fremont, giving families access to both markets. Closest private options include BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (San Jose, 15 min), Harker School (20 min), and several Catholic elementary schools including St. John the Baptist. For families willing to drive to the East Bay, Mission San Jose area in Fremont has strong private school options. Milpitas Unified public schools are decent but uneven — private school becomes attractive for families whose children test into gifted programs but find public school insufficiently challenging.
How do I know if my Milpitas child is ready for a competitive private school?
Readiness for schools like Harker or BASIS shows up as: consistently completing work early in class, asking questions the teacher can't easily answer, self-motivated reading above grade level, and boredom rather than struggle. Schools like Harker use the ISEE entrance exam — scoring in the 85th percentile or above is a competitive baseline. For younger children (K–3 entry), schools typically use their own readiness assessments. A trial visit day at the school is the most reliable indicator of fit.
What financial aid is available for private schools near Milpitas?
Most private schools near Milpitas use the School and Student Services (SSS) financial aid application. Submit the SSS by January 15 for fall enrollment. Award amounts vary widely — Harker School reports average aid awards exceeding $20,000/year for qualifying families. Catholic diocesan schools offer parish-based discounts that can reduce tuition by 10–30%. Ask each school for its average grant award and the percentage of students receiving aid — these numbers vary dramatically and are rarely advertised prominently.
How much does private school cost near Milpitas?
Private school tuition near Milpitas ranges from approximately $13,000/yr for elementary programs to $40,000+/yr for elite independent schools. The average is approximately $18,900/yr — among the most affordable in Silicon Valley. Need-based financial aid is available at most schools through FACTS or SSS.
Which Milpitas private schools are best for STEM and college prep?
BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (10 minutes, San Jose) is the strongest STEM-focused option near Milpitas, with internationally benchmarked academics and rigorous computer science from early grades. The Harker School (15 minutes) has the region's strongest college placement outcomes. Both serve the large tech-industry family community in Milpitas.
When do private school applications open near Milpitas?
For Fall 2027 enrollment, open houses begin September 2026. Most deadlines fall December 2026 through February 2027. BASIS Independent SV and The Harker School often close applications in December. Financial aid through FACTS or SSS should be submitted by January 2027.
Are there private schools in Milpitas with strong ESL or international support?
BASIS Independent Silicon Valley has a highly diverse international student body with strong academic expectations that align well with families from internationally rigorous education systems. Cambrian Academy in San Jose is specifically noted for its strong support of international students and students transitioning between school systems, including from outside the US.
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