Understanding Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton: Tuition, Admissions, and Educational Philosophy

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton (SHS) is a co-educational private day school located in Atherton, California, near San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley. For over a century, SHS has been dedicated to educating the whole child, emphasizing leadership, service to others, and a love for God. As part of an international network of Sacred Heart schools, SHS shares a common tradition and educational philosophy centered around five essential goals that inform all aspects of the school.

Overview of Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton

SHS is a top-ranked California school offering programs from Nursery/Preschool through 12th grade. The school has a student body of over 1,200 students and boasts a low student-teacher ratio of 5:1, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. A significant portion of the faculty, 78%, holds master's degrees or higher, contributing to the school's strong academic reputation.

Key Facts

Grades: Nursery/Preschool - 12
Enrollment: Over 1,200 students
Yearly Tuition (as of 2023): \$35,560
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average Class Size: 15 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Application Deadline: January 6
Location: West Atherton neighborhood of Atherton, CA
Colors: White, Black, Cardinal
School Motto: Love. Confidence.

Location and Community

Located in the West Atherton neighborhood, SHS benefits from its proximity to San Jose, a hub for technology and startups. San Jose, the largest city in Northern California, offers numerous opportunities for students and families.

Academics and Curriculum

The SHP curriculum emphasizes serious study and social responsibility, grounded in strong faith and taught in small, seminar-style classes. Students work in collaboration with teachers and the broader community to develop their own interests and purpose through unique programs. A typical semester includes six academic courses including religious studies, which is taught from an inclusive, Christian framework. Small class sizes and seminar-style college prep courses allow students to engage deeply and meaningfully with their work. SHS students are challenged to think critically about the problems of our day, through a Catholic lens.

Key Aspects of the Curriculum

Small Class Sizes: Facilitate deeper engagement and personalized attention.
Seminar-Style Courses: Encourage critical thinking and active participation.
Religious Studies: Taught from an inclusive, Christian framework.
Social Responsibility: Emphasized as a foundation for lifelong commitment to justice.

Tuition and Financial Aid

While SHS provides an exceptional education, it is essential to understand the costs involved and the available financial aid options.

Tuition Costs

As of a recent update, the yearly tuition for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, was \$35,560. It's important to note that tuition and fees may vary depending on the grade level and are subject to change. It is advisable to contact the admissions office for the most up-to-date information.

Financial Aid and Clarity Application

SHS is committed to providing access to academically qualified students regardless of their financial circumstances. The school uses Clarity as its tuition assistance application provider. The Clarity application is mobile-friendly and can typically be completed in as little as 30 minutes. There is a \$60 fee to submit the application, and it can be shared with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge.

Important Dates and Requirements for Tuition Assistance

Deadline: Families applying for tuition assistance for the 2026-2027 school year must submit the Clarity application and all supporting documents by January 8, 2026.
Tax Documents:
- 2024: Your 1040 and W2 documents from 2024 will automatically be transferred from the IRS when you complete the verification step of the Clarity application.
- 2025: You need only upload your 2025 W2 tax documents in Clarity.

Tuition Assistance Renewal

Families receiving tuition assistance must submit a Clarity application each year to qualify. Clarity retains information from previous applications, making reapplying easier. As long as the student remains at the school, tuition assistance will be renewed each year according to demonstrated need and if the family has met all of the filing deadlines. Changes in circumstances such as income, family status, and the number of children attending SHS may result in increases or decreases in an award. However, unless there is a significant change in either a family’s economic status or a tuition increase at SHS above 10 percent for the school year, awards will be renewed at the previous year’s amount.

Clarity's Security Measures

Sacred Heart takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information.

The Annual Fund

The Annual Fund is the primary and most critical fundraising priority at Sacred Heart Schools. While the tuition is considerable, it does not cover the full cost of educating each student. Like all independent schools, SHS relies on the Annual Fund to bridge the gap. Close to 100% of current families, faculty, staff, and trustees have joined alumni, past parents, and friends in contributing to this vital fundraising campaign that supports all students, each and every day.

Read also: A Guide to SHU Admissions

Purpose of the Annual Fund

The Annual Fund provides flexible, unrestricted income for programs that are critical to a Sacred Heart education and allow the school to meet the highest needs in the current year. It enables SHS to maintain its top-tier faculty and staff, rigorous academics, co-curricular programs, and an economically diverse student body. The Annual Fund goes directly to the current operation budget, which minimizes tuition increases.

Importance of Participation

By containing tuition costs through support of the Annual Fund, SHS is able to fulfill its commitment to attract talented and deserving students. Sacred Heart is an economically diverse community and each family is asked to thoughtfully consider a gift that will be personally meaningful. School-wide participation in the Annual Fund is a testament to the community’s strong commitment to the mission of the school and to the goals of a Sacred Heart education. Achieving 100% participation builds community, identifies solidarity, and often inspires significant additional gifts. Everyone in the school community-trustees, faculty, staff, current parents, past parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends-is asked to participate in the Annual Fund.

Matching Gifts and Recognition

Many companies will match the value of charitable gifts made by their employees. The Director’s Club honors Annual Fund donors of \$10,000 or more at a spring cocktail reception hosted by the Director of Schools.

Admissions

The acceptance rate for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, is 25%, making it a highly selective school. The application deadline is January 6.

What 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.

Read also: SHU Tuition and Fees

Extracurricular Activities

SHS offers a variety of extracurricular activities, with at least 5 options available for students to explore their interests beyond the classroom.

School Culture and Values

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, fosters a community built on Christian values, emphasizing social responsibility and personal growth. The school's motto, "Love. Confidence," reflects its commitment to nurturing students who are inquisitive, informed, and responsible global citizens.

The Five Goals of the Sacred Heart Network

Faith: To educate to a personal and active faith in God
Intellect: To educate to a deep respect for intellectual values
Social Awareness: To educate to a social awareness which impels to action
Community: To educate to the building of community as a Christian value
Personal Growth: To educate to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom

tags: #sacred #heart #atherton #tuition #costs