What Sacred Heart Atherton does

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton is a private, independent Catholic school serving 1,190 students across Preschool through Grade 12 on a 63-acre single-campus at 150 Valparaiso Ave, Atherton, California. Founded in 1898 and operating under the spiritual governance of the Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ), the institution is structured into four core educational programs — Montessori Preschool (~60 students), Lower School K-5 (~280 students), Middle School 6-8 (~220 students), and Sacred Heart Preparatory 9-12 (~630 students) — supported by 316 faculty and staff of which 160 are classroom teachers with 83% holding advanced degrees. Its revenue model is tuition-led (2026-27 pricing of $36,149-$59,565 per academic year) with diversified ancillary streams including summer programs, a 100% family-participation Annual Fund, auction fundraising, and endowment income, partially offset by $8.6M in financial assistance awarded to 25% of families.

The school's technology stack is conventional educational IT — 100% wireless coverage, 550 Chromebooks, 9 maker spaces, and third-party SaaS integrations (Ravenna for admissions, Clarity for financial aid, Clever for SSO, Vimeo for video) — overlaid on a differentiated physical infrastructure that includes five LEED-certified buildings, the nation's first LEED Platinum school building (Homer Center, 2009), and the first Net Zero Energy library (Stevens Library, 2015). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through the Ravenna application portal with a September-to-March admission cycle, virtual and in-person tours, open houses, and digital content (Mission & Meaning podcast/video series); the school is fully enrolled for 2026-27 with applications for 2027-28 opening fall 2026. Triple-accredited by CAIS, WCEA, and WASC, and credentialed via the global Sacred Heart network's International Passport, the school is led by Director of Schools Richard A. Dioli, who has announced retirement at the close of the 2026-27 academic year, triggering a national search via Carney Sandoe & Associates.

Name

Sacred Heart Atherton

Legal name

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton

Website

https://shschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton is a private, independent Catholic K-12 school serving 1,190 students on a 63-acre Atherton, California campus, operating Preschool through Grade 12 under the Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) with tuition of $36,149-$59,565 annually and $8.6M in financial aid.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• Private K-12 education
• Catholic independent school
• College preparatory education
• Montessori preschool
• Whole-child education

Headquarters

HQ city

Atherton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition payments. SHS offers three payment plans: one-time July payment, two payments in July and January, or monthly installments throughout the school year.
2. Summer Programs: Summer enrichment and sports camps, academic classes through Sacred Heart Summer Sessions
3. Annual Fund and Donations: Annual Fund with 100% participation from families, plus auction fundraiser, endowment gifts, and legacy giving programs
4. Financial Assistance (Revenue Reduction): $7.8 million in tuition assistance provided to 25% of families; $350,000 in non-tuition related financial aid

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sacred Heart Schools Atherton is a private Catholic independent school providing whole-child education from preschool through grade 12 (ages 3-18) on a 63-acre campus. The school delivers college-preparatory academics across four divisions — Montessori Preschool, Lower School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and Sacred Heart Preparatory (9-12) — integrated with Sacred Heart Summer Sessions, athletic programs (23 SHP and 19 LMS sports), fine arts, service learning, and college counseling. Students are billed through recurring annual tuition ($36,149-$59,565 for 2026-27), with $8.6 million in financial assistance awarded across 25% of enrolled families.

Product overview

Sacred Heart Schools Atherton is a Catholic, independent, co-educational private school offering a whole-child education from preschool through grade 12. The institution operates as a unified portfolio of four core educational programs (Montessori Preschool, Lower School K-5, Middle School 6-8, and Sacred Heart Preparatory 9-12) supported by co-curricular programs including Service Learning, Sustainability Initiatives, and the Sophie's Scholars access program. The school follows the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education, emphasizing faith, intellect, service, community, and personal growth. Founded in 1898 and located on a 63-acre campus, the school serves approximately 1,190 students with 316 faculty and staff members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sacred Heart Preparatory (SHP): The high school division (Grades 9-12) of Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton.
• Montessori Preschool
• Lower School
• Middle School

Products and services

• Montessori Preschool Faith-based and Montessori-inspired preschool program for children ages 3-4, providing a caring and nurturing environment that honors each child. Approximately 60 students enrolled. Tuition: $36,149 (Half Day) or $40,509 (Full Day) per academic year.
• Lower School (K-5) Elementary school program for grades K-5 where curiosity and spirituality meet foundational skills, with co-curricular programs designed to inspire young learners. Approximately 280 students enrolled. Tuition: $44,256 per academic year.
• Middle School (6-8) Middle school program for grades 6-8 focused on transformation, self-advocacy, critical thinking, and creativity through a Christian lens. Approximately 220 students enrolled. Tuition: $59,565 per academic year.
• Sacred Heart Preparatory (9-12) High school preparatory program for grades 9-12 focused on social awareness supported by individual action and grounded in spiritual growth. Approximately 630 students enrolled. Tuition: $59,565 per academic year. Includes 23 SHP competitive sports programs, fine arts (music, theatre, dance, visual arts), college counseling, service learning, and global exchange.
• Sophie's Scholars Program Multi-tiered scholarship program providing educational access through Middle School Cohort, High School attendance at SHP, and College support. Includes the Barat College Access Fund (BCAF) for college tuition assistance. Part of the school's DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access) commitment.
• Sacred Heart Summer Sessions Summer academic enrichment program offered through Middle School and SHP divisions, providing academic classes and learning opportunities during summer break.
• Summer at SHS (Summer Camps and Sports Programs) Summer enrichment programs and sports camps offered to the broader community, including summer sports programs.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Common GroundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of Bay Area schools providing parent/guardian education opportunities. SHS participates in joint programs with member schools to share experts in education and parenting fields and support each other's communities.
• Green Schools AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization facilitating partnership among schools in the United States and worldwide. Global peer-to-peer network of 3,000+ schools enabling students and faculty to exchange ideas on sustainability.
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit with vision of sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-efficient green buildings. SHS is member of USGBC chapter network and first school in nation to achieve LEED Platinum certification.
• International Living Future Institute (IFLI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of Living Building Challenge certification program. SHS Lower Middle School's Stevens Library received Net Zero Energy Building Certification from IFLI.
• Sterling PlanetminorOthersNation's leading retail renewable energy provider offering RECs from wind, biomass and landfill-gas-to-energy projects. SHS purchases RECs offsetting 10% of school's electricity use as charter member of Green Schools Purchasing Consortium.
• Peninsula Bridge ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHS is a proud site host for Peninsula Bridge's summer academic enrichment program supporting students in the community.
• Carney Sandoe & AssociatescoreOthersInternationally recognized search firm specializing in independent school leadership searches. Partnered with SHS for Director of Schools search process with consultants Karen Whitaker and Tom Lengel.
• Service Agency PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Francis Center of Redwood City, St. Anthony's Dining Hall, Siena Youth Center, Street Life Ministries, Peninsula Bridge Program, St. Elizabeth Seton School, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Special Olympics for service learning and community outreach.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Menlo School: Independent, nonsectarian K-12 school also located in Atherton, CA, serving approximately 800 students with comparable tuition levels. Most direct geographic and demographic peer with overlapping Bay Area family pool.
• Sacred Heart Preparatory (RSCJ Network): Note: SHS Atherton includes Sacred Heart Preparatory as its 9-12 division. Within the broader Sacred Heart network, peer schools include Convent of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco and other RSCJ-affiliated schools sharing curriculum and the International Passport credential.
• Castilleja School: Independent girls' school in Palo Alto, CA, serving grades 6-12 with comparable tuition and academic profile. Direct competitor for Bay Area families seeking premium private education.
• Pinewood School: Independent K-12 school in Los Altos Hills, CA, serving approximately 600 students. Bay Area independent school peer with comparable tuition and college-preparatory focus.
• Woodside Priory School: Catholic Benedictine college preparatory school in Portola Valley, CA, serving grades 6-12. Bay Area Catholic college-prep peer with overlapping mission-driven educational philosophy.
• Notre Dame High School: Catholic college preparatory high school in Belmont, CA, serving grades 9-12. Comparable Bay Area Catholic college-prep institution competing for similar Catholic families.

Broad incumbents

• Bellarmine College Preparatory: Jesuit Catholic all-boys college preparatory school in San Jose, CA, serving ~1,650 students. Comparable Bay Area Catholic college-prep institution competing for the same regional Catholic family demographic.
• St. Ignatius College Preparatory: Jesuit Catholic coeducational college preparatory school in San Francisco serving ~1,500 students. Direct Bay Area Catholic private school competitor with similar mission-driven college-prep focus and tuition structure.
• The Harker School: Large independent K-12 school in San Jose, CA, serving over 2,000 students. Comparable Bay Area premium private school with similar academic rigor and college-prep outcomes.

Others

• Common Ground (Coalition of Bay Area Schools): Coalition of Bay Area independent schools in which SHS participates, sharing parent/guardian education programming. Indirect peer network reflecting SHS's collaborative positioning within the regional independent school ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SHSAtherton
• Facebookfacebook.com/SacredHeartSchoolsAtherton
• Instagraminstagram.com/shsatherton
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sacred-heart-schools

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sacred Heart Atherton