Spring Hill School provides a vibrant and supportive learning environment in which each child`s unique gifts are recognized and nurtured, enabling them to reach their highest potential.
Located in Santa Cruz, California, Spring Hill is an independent private school serving TK through sixth grade students who go on to have smooth transitions into middle school and beyond.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Grades: Kindergarten-6
- Enrollment: 54 students
- Yearly Tuition: $26,400
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 27 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-6
Year Founded
1977
School Calendar
Awards
Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2004
Student Body
Total Students
54 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
16%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
13 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
12 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 27 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$26,400
Tuition Notes
Sliding scale
% on Financial Aid
43%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$10,000
Admissions Director
Marielle Warren
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
3 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Kids Art, Music, Tech Club
School Notes
- Two full time teachers in Kindergarten class ratio 6:1
- Class size limit of 16 students in order grades, 14 in Kindergarten/TK
- Strong emphasis onhands onlearning & individualized programs in reading and math - children work at the pace that is right for them.
- Exceptional language arts, math, algebra, science & design lab programs
- Spanish is taught every day in Kindergarten and a minimum of twice a week throughout everyone's time at Spring Hill
- Fine arts: music, drama and studio art
- Before and after school care
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Spring Hill School cost?
Spring Hill School's tuition is approximately $26,400 for private students.
What schools are Spring Hill School often compared to?
Spring Hill School is often viewed alongside schools like Gateway School by visitors of our site.
When is the application deadline for Spring Hill School?
The application deadline for Spring Hill School is Feb. 27 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 27 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
School Reviews
5 7/12/2024
My child finished their first year at Spring Hill School. I am amazed at how welcoming the school is. There were regular occasions where the whole school gets together and all the kids/teachers knew each other. Further, they are teaching to make the student a good human being not just a good student. I finished the first year and am certainly sending my child back next year. I love the strong emphasis on personal development and community connection.
5 7/12/2024
Spring Hill has exceeded our expectations. The staff are all so caring and fully engaged in helping the students succeed. The student-to-teacher ratio allows each child to be attended to on an individual basis. The culture of the school is one of kindness and community. My child absolutely loves going to school here and is receiving socio-emotional learning as well as academic. We are so happy with this school!
5 3/29/2024
This is my child's second year at Spring Hill. I appreciate the teachers and staff tremendously. I feel that they are firmly grounded in working with each child's learning style while expecting a high degree of intellectual and socio-emotional learning. The ratio of student to teacher allows my child to be known, not only by the classroom teacher, but by all the teachers, and all the students as well. While I debated a lot over public vs private schools and tried a different private school first, Spring Hill is the best choice for my child. My main goal for my child is to love learning and to remain open and curious while building intellectual stamina with motivated mentors and to build friendships. I think that Spring Hill is just the right school for that. Thank you, teachers!
5 3/24/2023
Both my children have benefited from the classes and education at Spring Hill. One child about to graduate shows great empathy with fellow students and has been well-prepared for continuing his education at any of the local middle schools. Each child has individual interests that get woven into the curriculum to make for an engaging school experience.
5 11/9/2021
My son has attended Spring Hill for 3 years now and we could not be more pleased with this school. The teachers and staff are so invested in every single child, often greeting every child by name when they arrive. We stuck with them through isolation and distance learning and I`m so glad we did. My son continued to advance his academics during a time when most children were regressing. They have a real community feel and want everyone to be involved with their children`s education. Issues have arisen between children (as they always do) and Marielle and the staff have been amazing. They sat down and put together a plan to help support my son. He`s thriving. I could go on, but know that if you choose this school you will not be disappointed.
5 10/20/2021
We enrolled our child in kindergarten at Spring Hill after meeting the head of school and the teacher, and after investigating almost every independent school in the county. It was clear to us that not only would the individualized education philosophy be ideal for our children academically, but the positive social-emotional environment would also be essential for them to thrive in school - especially since we had had very little social interaction during the previous 1.5 years in the pandemic. The teachers and staff are passionate, truly caring, and are skilled in positive discipline as classroom management. Our child loves to go to school here - eagerly gets ready every day with no reluctance. We feel absolutely confident that every child at Spring Hill is seen and appreciated as an individual by caring and supportive teachers and staff!
5 1/25/2018
My kids are happy to come to school every day. They love the school offerings. The confidence they have is a valuable skill to have learned at such a young age. Our family is grateful to the staff for treating our students as individuals and meeting them where they need to be met.
5 10/14/2017
As a grandparent and retired Teacher I am so impressed how Spring Hill educates the whole child with not only a strong academic program, but many experiences in presentation skills, art, music, dance, drama, tech, problem solving and design thinking to name a few. I have volunteered in many classes and have observed how skilled teachers and small classes offer students the chance to soar knowing they are part of a caring community of students, staff and families. My grandson has transformed from a very shy 1st grader to a confident, we'll prepared 6th grader. Bravo!
5 10/14/2017
Spring Hill has brought out the best in both of my children. My chief request of the school is that they "know" my kids and understand their unique needs as each of my children have very different academic and emotional needs. Unlike so many schools that claim to "individualize" their curriculum, Spring Hill actually delivers on this promise. This applies to the academic curriculum where children can receive extra support where needed and be accelerated where possible. But it also applies to the "whole child" aspects that we expect from a private school education. Amazing experience. If your child needs more than you can get from public school, you should definitely check out Spring Hill. Undoubtedly the best in Santa Cruz... I've looked at them all.
5 10/14/2017
I am so thankful for Spring Hill. It is an amazing school. My daughter is the first one ready in the morning because she loves it so much. The academics are the best in the county (with individualized learning), but they also have social-emotional curriculum and really focus on the whole child. The community is blended and warm and friendly, and the before/aftercare - as well as the after school enrichment programs - make logistics easy on families with 2 working parents, like us. Spring Hill is really a precious school; every family should be so lucky to come here, and I love that the financial aid can help that happen for many.
5 10/14/2017
Spring Hill is really an amazing school. Starting with their ability to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each child and working closely to help them advance at their own pace. This is the best education approach today and it has proven true to our child since Kindergarten. The advantages of a curriculum designed to help our son reach his true potential along with great teachers and staff has made the School experience a fun and rewarding one for our family. Our son adores Spring Hill and loves going back. I encourage everyone to consider Spring Hill for their kids.
5 10/14/2017
Spring Hill offers such a dynamic curriculum including art, life lab, music, spanish, electives, history, science, drama, design lab, dance and so much more for ALL students. My kids exuberantly look forward to school every single day. After switching our kids from public to private school to seek a more individualized, challenging education, Spring Hill has far surpassed our expectations in reading, writing, and math as well as the subjects listed above. Our children have formed life-long friendships and have gained amazing compassion and confidence in themselves because of the amazing community of teachers and students at Spring Hill!
5 5/17/2016
We love the reduced instructional hours and many fun field trips. The school culture is a charming blend of privileged and provincial. The school screens out sub-advanced students in order to control the quality of our child's peer group. This school has it all!
5 7/24/2015
Spring Hill has exceeded our expectations of what a school could be! Excellent motivated and creative teachers who meet the students individual needs to help each child reach their full potential. Our child is being challenged and learning above the grade level, but most importantly our child loves to come to school and never wants to miss a day!
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