Oakland County, Michigan, has one of the most diverse private school landscapes in the Midwest. Families relocating here will find Catholic, Montessori, Jewish, Christian, Lutheran, and college-preparatory schools throughout Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Rochester Hills, and West Bloomfield.
This guide gives you a clear, neighborhood-level view of your options so you can match the right school to the right home before you move.
Here is what this guide covers:
- Types of private schools in Oakland County
- Top private elementary and secondary school options by area
- Tuition costs for Michigan private schools
- How school boundaries and enrollment work
- Special education and IEP availability in private settings
- How to plan pre-move school visits
- How school district location affects home values
What Types of Private Schools Are in Oakland County?
Oakland County offers five main categories of private schools: Catholic parochial schools, Montessori programs, Jewish day schools, college preparatory academies, and Christian/Lutheran/Baptist schools.
Catholic schools make up the largest share of private enrollment in Southeast Michigan. Schools like Sacred Heart and Brother Rice in Bloomfield Hills are well-established, offering K–12 programs with strong extracurricular activities and college preparatory tracks. Jewish day schools such as Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills serve families seeking Hebrew-integrated education with secular academic rigor. Montessori programs are concentrated in Troy and West Bloomfield and follow progressive education models emphasizing self-directed learning through elementary grades.
For families seeking non-denominational college prep, Oakland County has institutions like Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, one of the most recognized private school campuses in the country, offering programs from preschool through grade 12 with boarding options.
What Are Some of the Top Elementary Schools in Oakland County?
Families relocating to Oakland County often prioritize access to highly regarded private schools known for academic rigor, campus environments, and specialized educational philosophies. Among the most recognized are Cranbrook Schools, Detroit Country Day School, The Roeper School, Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit.
Located in Bloomfield Hills, Cranbrook Schools spans a 319-acre campus and is widely recognized for its blend of academics, arts, athletics, and STEM programming within a collegiate-style environment. Detroit Country Day School is known for its strong college preparatory curriculum, extensive extracurricular offerings, and emphasis on leadership development from early childhood through high school. The Roeper School offers a progressive education model designed to support gifted learners through creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Academy of the Sacred Heart combines rigorous academics with faith-based education, leadership development, and community engagement in an all-girls environment through middle school. Families seeking a Jewish high school experience often consider Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit for its dual focus on academic excellence and Jewish studies within a close-knit community setting.
| School | Type | Grades | Location |
| Cranbrook Schools | College Preparatory | PK–12 | Bloomfield Hills |
| Detroit Country Day School | Independent College Prep | PK–12 | Beverly Hills |
| The Roeper School | Progressive / Gifted Education | PK–12 | Birmingham |
| Academy of the Sacred Heart | Catholic Independent School | PK–12 | Bloomfield Hills |
| Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit | Jewish College Preparatory | 9–12 | West Bloomfield |
How Much Does Private School Tuition Cost in Oakland County?
Michigan private school tuition costs in Oakland County range from approximately $6,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on school type, grade level, and program offerings.
Catholic parochial elementary schools typically charge $5,500–$9,000 annually. Jewish day schools fall in the $15,000–$30,000 range due to the dual-curriculum model. Montessori programs at the elementary level average $10,000–$16,000. College-preparatory institutions like Cranbrook start at around $22,000 for day students and exceed $35,000 for boarding students.
Many schools offer need-based financial aid and sibling discounts. It is worth contacting each admissions office directly to request a net price estimate, as published tuition does not always reflect actual family cost after aid. Lutheran and Baptist schools in the area tend to run between $5,000–$8,000 per year, while maintaining structured academic programs.
How Do Enrollment Boundaries and Lottery Processes Work?
Private schools in Oakland County do not follow the same enrollment boundaries as public school districts. There are no mandatory attendance zones, so families can choose their school regardless of home address.
However, many popular schools have waitlists, particularly at the elementary level. The Roeper School for gifted students in Birmingham and Cranbrook both require applications to be submitted 12–18 months in advance for guaranteed placement. Some Catholic schools give enrollment priority to registered parish families, which means proximity to a specific parish can matter even without formal boundary restrictions.
Before committing to a home purchase, families should:
- Confirm the school’s current enrollment capacity
- Ask whether the school uses a priority or a lottery system
- Verify if any sibling or legacy preferences exist
- Schedule a school tour or orientation session before finalizing their relocation timeline
If you are relocating to Oakland County with kids, it is strongly recommended to plan pre-move visits to two or three schools at least one semester before your target move date.
Are Special Education Services Available in Oakland County Private Schools?
Private schools in Oakland County are not required by law to provide the same special education services that public schools must offer under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, many private schools do accommodate students with learning differences through internal support programs.
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a federally mandated document tied to public school placement. Private school students can still receive some publicly funded services through the local public school district. Speech therapy or occupational therapy may be provided on a service agreement basis, but the full IEP structure typically does not transfer into a private school setting.
Families with children who have diagnosed learning differences should:
- Ask each private school directly what support staff they have on campus
- Request information on 504 accommodations if an IEP is not available
- Contact the local public school district to understand what supplemental services remain available, even if the child enrolls privately
Birmingham School District and Troy School District are among the top-rated school boundaries in Oakland County public options with strong special education infrastructure, often serving as a benchmark for families weighing private versus public placement.
How Do School District Rankings Affect Oakland County Home Values?
School district quality directly influences Oakland County housing market pricing in 2026. Homes within the Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, and Troy school districts command consistent premiums over comparable homes in adjacent districts.
Median home prices in Birmingham, MI, currently sit above $600,000, driven in part by access to Birmingham Public Schools and proximity to elite private institutions. West Bloomfield and Rochester Hills offer slightly lower median values, typically $400,000–$550,000, while still placing families within reach of strong public and private school options.
For families buying in Oakland County, the practical guidance is straightforward: identify your school first, then define your search radius. School boundary verification matters because district lines do not always follow neighborhood lines. A single street can divide two different districts, creating significant differences in school access and resale value.
DG Realty Group specializes in exactly this kind of neighborhood-level guidance, helping families find family neighborhoods near top schools in Michigan that match both their school priorities and their housing budget.
Why DG Realty Group Is the Right Choice for Families Relocating to Oakland County
Relocating with children adds a layer of complexity that most buyers do not fully anticipate. School timing, enrollment deadlines, and proximity to specific campuses all shape where you should look before you start viewing homes.
Local school boundary expertise.
The team at DG Realty Group knows the enrollment boundaries, district lines, and neighborhood-level nuances that affect school access across Oakland County’s premier communities.
Access to off-market and new construction inventory.
Families moving to the area often need homes that are not yet publicly listed. As part of Signature Sotheby’s International Realty’s global network, DG Realty Group provides early access to listings across Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, and Rochester Hills.
Concierge relocation support.
From neighborhood orientation to school visit coordination and contractor referrals for move-in prep, the team provides end-to-end guidance beyond the transaction itself.
Deep knowledge of the luxury and family home market.
Whether you are looking at a single-family home in Birmingham or a luxury estate in Bloomfield Hills, the team matches properties to your lifestyle, not just your budget.
FAQs
Is it better to choose public or private schools in Oakland County?
Both are strong options. Oakland County public school districts, especially Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, and Troy, rank among the best in Michigan. Private schools offer smaller class sizes, specialized curricula, and religious or values-based education. The right choice depends on your child’s learning style, your family’s priorities, and your budget.
Can I change my child’s private school enrollment after moving?
Yes, but timing matters. Most Oakland County private schools have rolling admissions with spring deadlines for the following fall. Midyear transfers are possible but depend on available seats. Contact the admissions office as early as possible if you are planning a mid-year relocation.
Do Oakland County private schools offer extracurricular programs?
Most do. Schools like Cranbrook and Brother Rice offer extensive extracurricular activities, including athletics, arts, robotics, debate, and community service. Smaller parochial schools typically offer core sports and performance arts at a lower program volume.
How do I verify school boundaries before buying a home?
Ask your real estate agent to confirm the school district assignment for any specific property address. Boundaries can shift due to district redistricting, so verification with the school district directly, not just a map tool, is the safest approach.
Does buying near a top-rated school district increase resale value?
Yes, consistently. Homes in Bloomfield Hills and within the Birmingham school district boundaries have maintained strong demand and lower days-on-market than similar homes in lower-ranked districts. School district quality is one of the most reliable long-term value drivers in the Oakland County housing market.
Conclusion
Oakland County offers relocating families a strong mix of private school options, from well-established Catholic and parochial schools to nationally recognized college-preparatory institutions and progressive Montessori programs. Tuition varies widely by school type, enrollment is competitive at the top schools, and the home you choose will directly affect which campuses are accessible to your child.
Starting your school research early, verifying boundaries before you sign a purchase agreement, and working with a local real estate advisor who understands the connection between neighborhoods and school access will put your family in the best position.
Contact DG Realty Group at 415 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009. Dan Gutfreund and his team are Southeast Michigan’s #1-ranked real estate advisors and specialize in helping families find the right home in the right school zone across Oakland County’s premier communities. Reach out today to start your relocation search with an advisor who knows every neighborhood, boundary, and listing in the market.