When watching American dramas, private high schools often feel different from the atmosphere of public schools.

The campuses are clean, students have a strong pride in their school, and alumni often gather to cheer at sports games and school events.

If you're looking for a traditional Catholic private school near San Fernando, you can't overlook Notre Dame High School located in Sherman Oaks.

However, one thing that many people get confused about is that Notre Dame High School is currently coeducational, not just for boys. Founded in 1947, it is a Catholic private high school under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and is known for its long-standing tradition as a college preparatory school. In San Fernando, it takes about 25 to 35 minutes to get there using the 101 Freeway, depending on traffic, so there are quite a few students who commute.

Many parents are most curious about tuition. For the 2026-2027 school year, the annual tuition is around $28,000 to $30,000. However, you can't just think about tuition alone. When you add in registration fees, textbook costs, uniforms and gym clothes, laptop usage, student council fees, various activity fees, and sports costs, many families expect the actual annual cost to exceed $30,000. While this is a significant amount compared to public schools, it is considered comparable to the tuition of other prestigious Catholic private schools in the LA area.

Fortunately, not all families bear the full burden of tuition. Notre Dame High School offers various financial aid and scholarship programs. A representative example is the Need-Based Grant, which is awarded based on a comprehensive review of family income and assets, and this is a non-repayable grant.

The amount of support varies depending on the family's situation, with some students receiving support for part or a significant portion of their tuition.

Additionally, there are some scholarships that consider academic performance, leadership, and community service. There are scholarship opportunities not only from the school itself but also from the Catholic Education Foundation and external foundations, allowing qualified students to receive various forms of support.

The school guides families through the financial aid application process before admission, so many parents recommend consulting first rather than giving up due to tuition costs.

The academic program is also quite robust. They offer a variety of AP courses and have well-established STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, arts programs, and leadership training. Students prepare for admission to UC schools and prestigious private universities by experiencing college-level classes in advance. In fact, they consistently go on to various universities such as UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Boston College, and the University of Notre Dame.

Sports are also a point of pride for the school. In particular, the football, baseball, and basketball programs are competitive in Southern California, and the school spirit and alumni participation are active. The alumni network is strong, and connections often continue after college and into professional life.

There are also a steady number of Asian students, including some of Korean descent. Although it is a Catholic school, it is not limited to Catholic applicants. Students from various religious and cultural backgrounds study together, but all students are expected to respect and participate in the school's religious education, community values, and service programs.

Ultimately, while Notre Dame High School has much higher tuition than public schools, there are ways to reduce the burden through financial aid, grants, and various scholarship programs. For families seeking a strong college preparatory program, a strong community culture, and a long-standing tradition of Catholic education, it is certainly one of the prestigious private schools worth considering in the San Fernando area.