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Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton

150 Valparaiso Avenue Atherton, CA 94027

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
  • Enrollment: 1,216 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $35,560
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 6
  • Source: ✓Verified school update
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Photo #1 - Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton sits one 64-acre campus housing the Preschool & Kindergarten, Lower & Middle Schools and Preparatory.
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Photo #2 - Main Building. The original building that was built in 1898. It houses preparatory classrooms and library, administrative offices, and the original chapel.
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Photo #3 - The Lower & Middle Schools campus was rebuilt and opened to students and faculty/staff in 2012. It consists of five separate buildings featuring a performing arts center, library, administration building, chapel, and separate buildings for the Lower & Middle school students.
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Photo #4 - The 10,000-square-foot organic garden is maintained and operated by Sacred Heart students and faculty year around as part of its Environmental Science and Global Studies courses. The School is the first in San Mateo County, Calif., to be approved by the Department of Environmental Health Services Division to use fruits and vegetables grown
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Photo #5 - Sacred Heart also maintains a barnyard on its expansive 64-acre campus. Goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits and a tortoise can be found on the school grounds.
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Photo #6 - Twelve different sports programs are offered from grades 4-12.
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Photo #7 - Each year over 15,000 service hours are provided collectively by the students to the community both locally and abroad.
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Photo #8 - The building of community is an important value to our school and for the families at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton. Each year over 500 parents collectively volunteer 25,000 hours of their time to Sacred Heart.
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Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
  • Enrollment: 1,216 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $35,560
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 6
  • Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Student Body
Sports offered
School History

School Facts

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-12
Students By Grade
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1898
School Motto
Love. Confidence. Purpose.

Student Body

Total Students
1,216 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
15%
State avg.: 52%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers
146 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.:
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
73%
Average Class Size
15 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Uniforms Preschool - 8th grade only. 9-12 free dress with a dress code.
Number of AP Courses
21 courses
List of Courses Offered

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline
Jan. 6
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Preschool Half Day: $28,424 Preschool Full Day: $31804 Kindergarten: $31804 Grades 1-5: $35081 Grades 6-8: $47157 Grades 9-12: $47826
% on Financial Aid
30%
Admissions Director
Wendy Quattlebaum
Admissions Associate
Lisa Ignoffo
Application URL

Sports

Total Sports Offered
14 sports
Colors
White, Black, Cardinal
School Mascot
Gators

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
5 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
BandChoir
DanceDrama
Strings

School Notes

  • A Sacred Heart education prepares students for a lifetime a lifetime where learning isn`t limited to just classrooms and textbooks. It`s an education that inspires students to be inquisitive about the world and lets them discover the joys of lifelong learning. We impel our students to apply their knowledge to the real world and to be active, informed and responsible global citizens while respecting the marvels of the earth`s resources. Our mission is to educate the whole person in mind, body, and spirit.

Founded in 1898 Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, a Roman Catholic, independent, coeducational school, preparing students with a global perspective for the 21stcentury. Offering unparalleled opportunities to foster the development of the whole child, Sacred Heart is the only school along the San Francisco Peninsula to educate students from preschool to twelfth grade on one unified 63-acre campus.

This unique opportunity to oversee a child`s learning from their early years through young adulthood provides an integrated and aligned curriculum that delivers a consistent educational philosophy. The curriculum allows for the introduction of academic conceptual threads that are deeply developed as students` progress through the school divisions. The principles of a Montessori education are applied at the preschool and kindergarten grades to build a child`s positive self-image and a lifelong love for learning.

Our goal is to foster creative thinkers and problem-solvers to build connections in their minds between the sciences and the arts," said Richard A. Dioli, Director of Schools. "Once students master core elements, the challenge to them becomes `now what are you going to do now with that knowledge.` We strive to educate students to become inspired global citizens who have the social awareness and motivation to make a difference in the world."

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton offers:

  • A safe and welcoming environment in which each person is valued, cared for and respected
  • Small class sizes enable teachers to fully engage in their students` intellectual development
  • Faculty who use a variety of teaching and learning strategies that recognize the individual needs of each student
  • A uniquely diverse, multi-generational community where everyone learns from each other
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Tierna Davidson (SHP '16) Soccer at Stanford University -
    • Abby Dahlkemper (SHP '11) Soccer for US National Team -
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton cost?
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton's tuition is approximately $35,560 for private students.
Who are famous alumni from Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton?
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton famous alumni include: Tierna Davidson (SHP '16) Soccer at Stanford University and Abby Dahlkemper (SHP '11) Soccer for US National Team.
What sports does Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton offer?
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton offers 14 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Flag Football, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Water Polo. Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.
What is Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton's ranking?
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton?
The application deadline for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton is Jan. 6.
In what neighborhood is Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton located?
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton is located in the West Atherton neighborhood of Atherton, CA. There are 1 other private schools located in West Atherton.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in San Mateo County, CA is $25,863 for elementary schools and $39,887 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in San Mateo County, CA is 67% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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