Woodside Priory School (Top Ranked Private School for 2024)

302 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA 94028

Woodside Priory School Photo #1 - Woodside Priory is a Benedictine Catholic, independent college preparatory school for grades 6-12. A boarding option is available beginning in grade nine (9).

Woodside Priory School Photo #2 - With a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Priory`s classes are intentionally designed to facilitate meaningful discussions and engagement between faculty and students. Our block schedule provides an hour and fifteen minutes of time for each class to promote critical thinking and problem-solving.

Woodside Priory School Photo #3 - Our 50-acre environmentally friendly campus features a new state-of-the-art STREAM building, a new pool, and a new track. In 2020, Priory was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Green Ribbon School for its efforts in environmental sustainability.

Woodside Priory School Photo #4 - Our athletic program emphasizes sportsmanship, commitment, dedication, and hard work. Many of our coaches are also faculty members, and students enjoy the relationships that are developed away from the classrooms.

Woodside Priory School Photo #5 - We value the importance of the arts in education as an expression of one's own humanity and an aspect of understanding all humanity. In concert with academic studies, participating in the arts is integral in developing students' intelligence and potential.

Woodside Priory School Photo #6 - More than 30 club and activity choices are available to upper school students. Clubs provide opportunities to discover passions, develop strengths, apply academic knowledge in a practical way, develop self-knowledge, and learn to make the choices necessary to manage a busy schedule independently.

Woodside Priory School Photo #7 - Learning takes place in different forms at Priory. Our students often find that the places like the Franklin Garden are used as a backdrop for a discussion on food in literature as much as it is used as a living classroom for AP Environment Science.

Woodside Priory School Photo #8 - Diversity is celebrated in many forms within our community. In addition to having over 50% of students who identify as people of color, our Upper School has about 20% of its student community coming from outside the United States.

Woodside Priory School Photo #9 - From its founding, Woodside Priory has offered a boarding program. Long before technology called this valley home, Priory educated students from around the world, offering local students an international perspective.

Woodside Priory School Photo #10 - Through our student life programming, our students have opportunities to engage in meaningful experiences and even may meet life-changing figures, including U.S. President Biden. Some of our students attended the New Hampshire Presidential Primary in 2019 and spoke directly with presidential candidates.

Woodside Priory School is home to the only high school boarding program in Silicon Valley.

Fifty boarding students and 30% of our faculty live among the redwoods on our scenic 50-acre campus, and attend classes with another 250 day students.

Our students are surrounded by the innovation and excitement of Silicon Valley, but they study on a campus that fosters a sense of meaning and balance.

Priory's mission is to assist all students in creating meaningful and balanced lives, developing as lifelong learners, and productively serving a world in need of their gifts.

Priory`s academic program engages our students rigorously and intentionally. Our robust curriculum engages students in meaningful intellectual discourse and encourages them to venture outside their academic comfort zones.

We welcome young people into a community where they feel uniquely known and loved.

Priory students feel free to take intellectual and creative risks, to discover their passions, and to grow in heart, mind, and soul.

Quick Stats (2024)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: 6-12
Enrollment: 405 students
Yearly Tuition: $52,680
Acceptance rate: 30%
Average class size: 13 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 6
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Woodside Priory School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Grades Offered

Grades 6-12

Year Founded

1957

School Calendar

Link to School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

405 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

18%

State avg.: 51%

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

74 teachers

Student : Teacher Ratio

5:1

National avg.: 13:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

80%

Average Class Size

13 students

Number of AP Courses

22 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Art History, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Literature, Environmental Science, French Language, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Music Therory, Physics, Psychology, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Statistics, Studio Art, U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. History

Average SAT score

1380

Average ACT score

Average Percentile SSAT

85%

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

Link to Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 6

Yearly Tuition Cost

$52,680

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Day tuition includes daily lunch. Additional fees include a $600 Student Activities Fee. For information regarding Boarding Program tuition and fees, visit our website.

% on Financial Aid

20%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$40,945

Acceptance Rate

30%

National avg.: 85%

Admissions Director

David Lazo, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid

Admissions Associate

Nils Leitz

Endowment Size

$10 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

12 sports

Sports

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

24 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:
Associated Student Body, Campus Ministry, Community Service Club, Dedicated to Diversity, Ecology/Sustainability Club, International Club, Japanese Anime Club, Junior Statesmen of America, Literary Magazine, Model United Nations Club, National Honor Society, Prism, Robotics, Womentors, Woodworking, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Improv Jam, Jazz Band, Open Art Studio, Orchestra, Tech Club, Technical Theater

School Notes

Woodside Priory School is home to the only high school boarding program in Silicon Valley. Fifty boarding students and 30% of our faculty live among the redwoods on our scenic 50-acre campus, and attend classes with another 250 day students.
Our students are surrounded by the innovation and excitement of Silicon Valley, but they study on a campus that fosters a sense of meaning and balance. Priory's mission is to assist all students in creating meaningful and balanced lives, developing as lifelong learners, and productively serving a world in need of their gifts.
Priory`s academic program engages our students rigorously and intentionally. Our robust curriculum engages students in meaningful intellectual discourse and encourages them to venture outside their academic comfort zones.
We welcome young people into a community where they feel uniquely known and loved. Priory students feel free to take intellectual and creative risks, to discover their passions, and to grow in heart, mind, and soul.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Taylor Eigsti - Grammy nominated jazz pianist
- Marc Fiore - Awarded 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Political Cartooning

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Woodside Priory School cost?

Woodside Priory School's tuition is approximately $52,680 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Woodside Priory School?

The acceptance rate of Woodside Priory School is 30%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. Woodside Priory School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Woodside Priory School?

Woodside Priory School famous alumni include: Taylor Eigsti and Marc Fiore.

What sports does Woodside Priory School offer?

Woodside Priory School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Water Polo. Woodside Priory School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.

What is Woodside Priory School's ranking?

Woodside Priory School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Highest average SAT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Woodside Priory School?

The application deadline for Woodside Priory School is Jan. 6.

In what neighborhood is Woodside Priory School located?

Woodside Priory School is located in the Central Portola Valley neighborhood of Portola Valley, CA.

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