Hillsborough Private Schools is not a franchise. Not a chain. We are an independently operated private school in Anaheim built on a single commitment — giving every child the most intentional, developmentally sound early education possible.
For families in Anaheim who are exploring private early childhood education, the question is rarely “why private?” — most parents already understand the general advantages. The real question is: which private school is actually worth it?
That’s the right question. And the answer depends entirely on what a specific school has built — its teachers, its curriculum, its values, and its track record with real families in the community.
At Hillsborough Private Schools, we’ve spent years earning the trust of Anaheim families through one thing: consistent, high-quality outcomes for the children in our care. Not through advertising. Not through impressive brochures. Through what parents see when they visit, what children experience when they attend, and what families report when they look back on the years their child spent with us.
Come See Hillsborough for Yourself — Book a Tour.
Hillsborough Private Schools is an independent private early childhood institution serving families across Anaheim and the broader Orange County area. We offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to support children from infancy through school age — each one built around the specific developmental needs of that age group.
We are not affiliated with any national franchise or chain curriculum. Every aspect of our program — from the way we structure our days to the way we communicate with families — has been developed and refined over time based on what we know works for young children.
Our programs include:
Every program is led by qualified, experienced educators. Every program maintains class sizes well below state requirements. And every program is supported by the kind of family communication that keeps parents genuinely informed and involved.
Because Hillsborough is independently operated, we are not bound by a corporate curriculum or a national franchise model. We have the freedom — and the responsibility — to make decisions based entirely on what is best for the children in our care.
That independence shows up in the flexibility of our curriculum, the qualifications we require of our staff, the ratios we maintain, and the way we respond to the individual needs of every child enrolled.
Every lead teacher at Hillsborough holds formal training in early childhood education or child development. We hire educators who have chosen this profession deliberately, who understand child development deeply, and who bring genuine skill and commitment to their classrooms every day.
We also retain them. Our staff turnover is low — because we invest in professional development, maintain a supportive working environment, and genuinely value the people who make our program what it is. For children, that stability is directly reflected in their sense of security, their attachment to their teachers, and their overall experience of school.
In a large childcare setting, a teacher managing 15 or more children is in survival mode — not teaching mode. At Hillsborough, our class sizes are kept intentionally small across every program.
Small classes mean:
This is one of the most consistent things Anaheim families tell us when they compare Hillsborough to other options they considered.
Many families at Hillsborough have multiple children enrolled across different programs — and that is not a coincidence. When parents find a school that genuinely delivers on its promises, they come back. They bring siblings. They refer neighbors. They remain connected to the Hillsborough community long after their children have graduated.
That kind of loyalty is not purchased. It is earned — one child, one family, one year at a time.
At Hillsborough, we believe that the early childhood years are the most important years in a child’s educational life — and that the quality of those early experiences shapes everything that comes after.
Our educational philosophy is grounded in three core principles:
The Whole Child Academic readiness matters — but it is only one dimension of early childhood development. We give equal weight to social-emotional development, physical development, creative expression, and the building of character traits like curiosity, resilience, and empathy.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice Every activity, every expectation, every interaction at Hillsborough is calibrated to what children at a specific developmental stage are actually ready for — not what an arbitrary timeline says they should be doing. We follow the child, not a checklist.
Family as Partner Parents are not passive recipients of a service at Hillsborough. They are active partners in their child’s education. We communicate regularly, honestly, and in detail — and we genuinely value what parents know about their own children.
Hillsborough Private Schools is fully licensed by the state of California and meets or exceeds all requirements for private early childhood education programs. We maintain rigorous internal standards for staffing, environment, curriculum, and family communication that go well beyond what licensing requires.
Testimonial 1: “We toured six private schools in the Anaheim area before choosing Hillsborough. There was no comparison. The teachers were more qualified, the environment was more thoughtfully designed, and the communication was more thorough. Three years later, we have no regrets.” — Parent of two enrolled children, Anaheim
Testimonial 2: “Hillsborough is the rare private school that actually lives up to its reputation. What they say on their website is what you actually experience when your child is enrolled. That consistency is everything.” — Parent of a 4-year-old, Anaheim Hills
Testimonial 3: “My child’s kindergarten teacher told us at the first conference that she could immediately tell which children had come from high-quality private preschool programs. Our daughter stood out — and we knew exactly why.” — Parent of a 5-year-old, Orange County
Whether you are exploring options for the first time or you have already decided that Hillsborough is where you want your child to be, the next step is simple.
Step 1 — Schedule a Campus Tour Every enrollment starts with a visit. See the classrooms. Meet the teachers. Ask every question you have. There is no better way to evaluate a school than to experience it directly.
Step 2 — Enrollment Consultation We’ll sit down with you to understand your child’s age, developmental stage, and specific needs — and to walk you through the right program and scheduling options for your family.
Step 3 — Complete Enrollment Once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll guide you through the documentation process clearly and efficiently.
Step 4 — Your Child Begins We manage every child’s first days with a structured, supportive transition process — so that starting school at Hillsborough is a positive experience from the very first morning.
Note: Enrollment spots across all programs are limited. We recommend reaching out early, particularly for fall intake.
What programs does Hillsborough offer? We offer private infant care, a toddler development program, a preschool program, transitional kindergarten preparation, and a school-age summer camp. Programs are organized by developmental age group.
Is Hillsborough a faith-based school? Please contact us directly for information about our school’s affiliation and values. We are happy to answer any questions about our ethos and approach during your tour consultation.
How does Hillsborough compare to public TK programs in Anaheim? We offer a private alternative to district TK programs — with smaller classes, more individualized attention, and a curriculum we have developed and refined ourselves. We’re happy to discuss the differences in detail during a consultation.
Do you offer before and after care? Please ask about extended care options during your tour. We do our best to accommodate the needs of working families.
How do I get on the waitlist? Contact us directly to discuss current availability and waitlist options for your preferred program and start date.
H2: Hillsborough Private Schools — Anaheim’s Choice for Families Who Expect More
Private education is a meaningful investment. At Hillsborough, we make sure it is a worthwhile one — with a program that delivers real developmental outcomes, genuine family partnership, and an environment where your child is known, valued, and challenged every single day.
We’d love to show you everything we’ve built. Come visit us.