Mcdowell School (2026-27 Profile)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Grades: Nursery/Preschool-5
Enrollment: 146 students
Yearly Tuition: $1,764
Acceptance rate: 95%
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: 鉁�Verified school update

School Rankings

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

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-5

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Mcdowell School
Nursery	16
Pre-K	40
Kind	15
1	15
2	15
3	15
4	15
5	15

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Year Founded

1976

Summer School Offered

Yes

School Calendar

Awards

Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2005

Student Body

Total Students

146 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

33%

State avg.: 52%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

20 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.:

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

25%

Average Class Size

15 students

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

Uniforms

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Independent 草榴社区 School Association (NIPSA)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$1,764

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Elementary tuition is $1764.00 Preschool tuition varies by age

Summer Program Cost

$312

Summer Program Cost Notes

per week - ten weeks offered

Acceptance Rate

95%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Associate

Wendi Pufahl

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

5 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

ChessComputer

Science

Arts and Music Programs:

ArtDance

School Notes

Child Centered Academic Excellence
McDowell School is small, yet incredibly diverse, community, that offers an enriched and enhanced, accelerated curriculum driven by the passion of the students. One class per grade with only 15 students in each class alows us to act as a family.

McDowellSchool's philosophy is to reach each child as an individual in order to help him or her grow intellectually, socially and emotionally. We provide each child with an exciting and personal educational experience,and then empower each child to utilize these experiences to become all of which he/she is capable. Our intention is that each student will: read- enjoying all that the ability to read provides; comprehend and utilize math- both in terms of skill and concepts; explore his/her own society and those of other peoples and times; develop and keep in touch with his/her creativity through art, music and drama; experience new areas of thought and action; feel challenged; develop a sense of commitment to his/her environment; and, practice a respect for the dignity and worth of others.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Mcdowell School cost?

Mcdowell School's tuition is approximately $1,764 for private students and $312 for summer students.

What is the acceptance rate of Mcdowell School?

The acceptance rate of Mcdowell School is 95%, which is higher than the national average of 80%.

When is the application deadline for Mcdowell School?

The application deadline for Mcdowell School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

5 7/24/2015

This is an outstanding school with excellent balance in subjects, a nurturing but achievement culture, outstanding faculty and staff, nice classrooms and great after school classes. There is no obvious weakness after near a year of being a parent of a primary student

- Posted by Parent - dmray

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Orange County, CA is $12,794 for elementary schools and $17,248 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Orange County, CA is 85% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).