Families considering private school as an alternative to SVUSD have several established options in Simi Valley. This page lists the schools, the grades each covers, the religious or non-sectarian affiliation, approximate tuition ranges (with the caveat to verify directly with each school), and which Simi Valley neighborhoods cluster nearby for an easy commute. The data is current as of May 2026.
Why families consider private school in Simi Valley
Most Simi Valley families enroll in SVUSD, which serves nearly all of Simi Valley with multiple elementary schools, three middle schools, and three comprehensive high schools. Per the CA School Dashboard's 2024 rating year, SVUSD schools range from 'Medium' to 'High' across the standard state indicators.
Families who choose private school typically do so for one of several specific reasons: religious or values-based instruction (Christian or Catholic affiliation), smaller class sizes than the public district can provide, a specific program (Montessori, classical, college-prep), or family-tradition reasons. None of these are demographic markers — they are program-fit and family-preference decisions.
Grace Brethren Junior High and High School
Grace Brethren is a Christian school in Simi Valley covering grades 7–12, with a sister elementary (Grace Brethren Elementary) on the same campus covering K–6. Affiliated with the Conservative Grace Brethren Church.
Programs: full college-prep curriculum, athletics across CIF divisions, performing arts, Bible curriculum across all grades.
Approximate tuition (verify): elementary $8,000–$10,000/year; junior high $10,000–$12,000/year; high school $11,000–$15,000/year.
Location: northwest Simi Valley. Neighborhoods nearby for an easy commute: Wood Ranch (5–10 min), Big Sky (10–15 min), Silverthorne (5 min), central Simi (10–15 min).
Faith Baptist Christian School
Faith Baptist Christian School is a Christian school in Simi Valley covering K–12. Affiliated with Faith Baptist Church.
Programs: traditional college-prep curriculum with Bible integration across all grades, athletics, music.
Approximate tuition (verify): elementary $7,000–$9,000/year; junior high $8,000–$10,000/year; high school $9,000–$12,000/year.
Location: central Simi Valley. Neighborhoods nearby: Tamarack, Strathearn, Madera, Oakcrest.
St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
St. Rose of Lima is a Catholic parochial school in Simi Valley covering K–8. Affiliated with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Programs: traditional Catholic elementary curriculum, weekly Mass, sacrament preparation, athletics.
Approximate tuition (verify): parishioner rate $5,500–$7,500/year; non-parishioner $7,500–$10,000/year.
Location: central Simi Valley. Most St. Rose families continue to other Catholic high schools (Notre Dame, Crespi, Louisville) or transition to public high school.
Simi Valley Christian School
Simi Valley Christian School is a non-denominational Christian school covering K–12.
Programs: college-prep curriculum, Bible integration, athletics, music, drama.
Approximate tuition (verify): elementary $6,500–$8,500/year; junior high $8,000–$10,000/year; high school $9,000–$12,000/year.
Location: central Simi Valley. Accessible from most Simi neighborhoods within 10–15 minutes.
Pinecrest Academy
Pinecrest Academy is a non-sectarian college-prep school covering K–12, part of a larger network.
Programs: STEM-focused college-prep curriculum, athletics, robotics, performing arts.
Approximate tuition (verify): varies by grade, generally $9,000–$14,000/year.
Location: West Simi Valley. Accessible from Wood Ranch and central Simi within 10 minutes.
How to evaluate private school fit
The most useful comparison factors for private school selection are: program (religious/values orientation, college-prep depth, specialty offerings), class size (typically 15–22 vs SVUSD 25–32), tuition affordability over the K-12 horizon, and commute logistics from your home.
Tuition over 13 years (K–12) at $10,000/year is $130,000 per child in nominal dollars; at $14,000/year is $182,000. That's a real expense that should be weighed against the program fit.
Most private schools offer financial aid and sliding-scale tuition for qualifying families. Ask about the aid window and application timing — many schools require applications by January for the following fall.
Neighborhoods that cluster near private school options
For Grace Brethren and Pinecrest: Wood Ranch, Silverthorne, Big Sky, west-central Simi (5–15 min commute).
For Faith Baptist and St. Rose: Tamarack, Strathearn, Madera, central Simi (5–10 min commute).
For Simi Valley Christian: most Simi neighborhoods within 10–15 min.
If a specific private school is the priority and the family is buying a home in Simi Valley, the home-search radius is typically a 15-minute drive from the school. That maps to about a 7–8 mile radius depending on traffic patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What private schools are in Simi Valley?
The major private school options are Grace Brethren (K-12, Christian), Faith Baptist (K-12, Christian), St. Rose of Lima (K-8, Catholic), Simi Valley Christian (K-12, non-denominational Christian), and Pinecrest Academy (K-12, non-sectarian). Each has its own program orientation, tuition range, and admissions process.
How much is private school tuition in Simi Valley?
Approximate ranges (verify directly with each school): elementary $6,500–$10,000/year; junior high $8,000–$12,000/year; high school $9,000–$15,000/year. Catholic parishioner rates are typically lower than non-parishioner rates.
Do Simi Valley private schools offer financial aid?
Most private schools offer some form of financial aid or sliding-scale tuition for qualifying families. Ask about the aid window and application timing — many schools require applications by January for the following fall.
Are there secular private school options in Simi Valley?
Pinecrest Academy operates as a non-sectarian college-prep school. The other established Simi private schools are religious in affiliation (Christian or Catholic). For broader secular options, families sometimes look at Thousand Oaks (which has Westmark, La Reina, and several others).
What is the difference between Grace Brethren and Faith Baptist?
Both are Christian K-12 schools. Grace Brethren is affiliated with the Conservative Grace Brethren Church; Faith Baptist is affiliated with Faith Baptist Church. Curriculum approaches and Bible content reflect each affiliation. Class sizes, tuition ranges, and program offerings vary; compare directly via each school's website.
Is St. Rose of Lima the only Catholic school in Simi Valley?
Yes — St. Rose of Lima is the parochial elementary (K-8). For Catholic high school, Simi Valley families typically commute to Notre Dame in Riverside, Crespi in Encino, Louisville in Woodland Hills, or similar.
