Providence High School is one of Burbank’s best-known independent Catholic high schools, and one of the more distinctive private school options for families across the greater Los Angeles area. Founded in 1955 by the Sisters of Providence, this coeducational, college-preparatory school on South Buena Vista Street has grown from a single class of 81 young women meeting in circus tents borrowed from neighboring Walt Disney Studios into a campus of roughly 500 students with 20 AP courses and specialized programs in Cinema Arts, Medical, and Technology. This profile draws only from Providence High School’s official website and its California Department of Education record, so families researching Providence High School in Burbank get accurate, current information.
Located at 511 South Buena Vista Street in Burbank, California, Providence is a private, independent Catholic school unaffiliated with any parish or diocese, governed instead by its own Board of Regents in partnership with the Providence health system. As a private school, admission is not tied to residency or district boundaries; instead, families apply directly through a defined admissions process and pay published tuition and fees, with need-based financial assistance available. Its small size, 10:1 faculty-to-student ratio, and specialized programs distinguish it from the large public high schools typical of the surrounding Burbank Unified School District.
This article covers Providence High School’s basic information, contact and location details, academics and curriculum, admissions and tuition, facilities, staff and leadership, community life, and accreditation, followed by an FAQ built around what parents actually search for — from “how much is tuition at Providence High School” to what makes the school’s Catholic identity work for non-Catholic families. Whether you’re comparing Providence to other Burbank-area private schools or are already deep into the application process, this guide is meant to answer the real questions parents ask.
Basic Information
Providence High School is a private, non-charter high school located in Burbank and geographically listed within the boundaries of Burbank Unified School District on the California Department of Education’s School Directory, though it operates fully independently of that district. The CDE record confirms the school is Active, serves grades 9 through 12 only, and has an open date of July 1, 1980 on file. Founded in 1955 by the Sisters of Providence — the same religious community that founded Providence health system — the school has been coeducational since 1974 and today enrolls approximately 500 students under the leadership of Head of School Scott McLarty, with the Pioneers as its mascot since its founding year.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| School Name | Providence High School |
| Founded | 1955 by the Sisters of Providence |
| Sector | Private, independent Catholic (non-charter) |
| CDS Code | 19-64337-6942338 |
| CDE School Type | High Schools (Private) |
| Located Within (CDE) | Burbank Unified School District boundaries (geographic listing only) |
| Status | Active |
| Grade Span | 9–12 |
| Coeducational Since | 1974 |
| Enrollment | Approx. 500 students |
| Faculty-to-Student Ratio | 10:1 |
| Mascot | Pioneers |
Contact & Location
Providence High School’s campus sits at 511 South Buena Vista Street in Burbank, near the studio district that gave the school its unusual origin story — its first classes met in circus tents lent by next-door neighbor Walt Disney while the permanent buildings were under construction. The school’s main phone line connects to the front office, and its admissions, communications, and records contacts are separately listed with the state and on the school’s own directory. Providence maintains active Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn accounts for community updates.
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 511 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91505 |
| Phone | (818) 846-8141 |
| Fax (CDE Record) | (818) 843-8421 |
| Official Website | www.providencehigh.org |
| General Email (CDE Record) | communications@providencehigh.org |
| facebook.com/phsburbank | |
| @phsburbank | |
| X (Twitter) | @PHSburbank |
| linkedin.com/company/phsburbank |
Academics & Curriculum
Providence’s academic program is built around a traditional college-preparatory core plus five specialized programs — Cinema Arts, Medical, Technology, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts — that let students focus coursework toward a specific interest area alongside standard graduation requirements. The school offers 20 Advanced Placement courses and 17 Honors courses spanning nearly every subject, and requires four years of Religious Studies and English, three years each of Social Studies, Math, and Science, two years of World Languages, one year of Visual and Performing Arts, and five semesters of electives to graduate. Seniors complete a UC-approved Senior Capstone Project, a self-directed research and fieldwork course, and the school’s College Counseling office supports students from freshman year through the college application process with a dedicated Director of College Counseling for seniors.
| Academic Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| AP Courses Offered | 20 |
| Honors Courses Offered | 17 |
| Specialized Programs | Cinema Arts, Medical, Technology, Performing Arts, Visual Arts |
| Graduation Requirements | 4 yrs Religious Studies, 4 yrs English, 3 yrs Social Studies, 3 yrs Math, 3 yrs Science, 2 yrs World Languages, 1 yr Visual/Performing Arts, 5 semesters Electives |
| Senior Capstone | UC-approved independent research/fieldwork project |
| College Counseling | Individual guidance from 9th grade; Director of College Counseling supports seniors through applications |
| Recent College Acceptances Include | UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, Cornell, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, NYU, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine |
Admissions & Fees
As an independent private school, Providence High School’s admissions process runs on its own calendar rather than public-school enrollment boundaries. The school lays out a four-step process: attending a Campus Tour (August–December), attending Spotlight, Meet PHS, and Meet the Faculty events (October–December), submitting an online application (opening September 1), and visiting an on-campus public event. Tuition for the 2026–2027 school year is $31,800, plus a $100 application fee and a $1,000 registration fee due on acceptance or renewal (rising to $1,500 for late renewal after April 30 for returning students only). Supplemental fees apply for specialized programs, AP exams, athletics, and performing arts productions, and the school offers need-based financial assistance along with specific tuition discounts for dependents of Providence health system and Providence High School employees.
| Admissions/Fee Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 2026–2027 Tuition | $31,800 |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Registration Fee | $1,000 (non-refundable); $1,500 if late (returning students only) |
| Program Enrollment Fee (Medical, Cinema, Technology) | $1,000 |
| AP Exam Fee | $115 per exam |
| Athletic Fee | $750 per sport |
| Performing Arts Fee | $100 per show |
| Graduation Fee (12th grade) | $250 |
| Financial Assistance | Need-based; confidential application verified by an outside financial service |
| Employee/Legacy Discounts | Providence health system dependents: $6,000 off; PHS employee dependents: 50% off; Alumni Legacy Award: $1,000/year |
| Admissions Application Opens | September 1 |
Facilities
Providence’s Burbank campus has grown considerably since its 1955 origins in temporary circus tents, with major facility additions arriving in phases documented in the school’s own history. The Fritz B. Burns Student Activity Center was dedicated in 2002, followed by a dedicated Science Center in 2012 with three dual wet-lab-and-classroom setups for biology, chemistry, and physics, and a full production-studio Cinema Arts Center in 2015. The Technology Focus Program Center, opened in 2017, includes a maker space and 3D printers in a multi-use computer lab. Together these purpose-built spaces support the school’s specialized Medical, Cinema Arts, and Technology programs alongside standard classrooms and athletic facilities for its 21 athletic programs.
| Facility | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fritz B. Burns Student Activity Center | Dedicated 2002 |
| Science Center | Opened 2012; three dual wet-lab/classroom setups (biology, chemistry, physics) |
| Cinema Arts Center | Opened 2015; full production studio with current production technology |
| Technology Focus Program Center | Opened 2017; maker space, 3D printers, multi-use computer lab |
| Athletic Facilities | Support 21 athletic programs, incl. baseball, soccer, volleyball, equestrian, fencing |
| Campus Address | 511 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA |
Staff & Leadership
Providence High School is led by Head of School Scott McLarty, supported by a Head’s Cabinet including a Chief Student Life Officer, Chief Academic Officer, Chief Financial & Operations Officer, Chief Development Officer, and Chief Admissions & Enrollment Management Officer. Below the cabinet, a Leadership Team of deans and directors oversees specific areas — Academic and College Counseling, STEM, Humanities, Arts & Wellness, Student Life, Wellbeing, Safety and Security, and Athletics — while an independent Board of Regents, chaired by Heather O’Connor, provides long-term governance oversight in partnership with the Providence health system.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head of School | Scott McLarty |
| Chief Student Life Officer | Annie Matthews |
| Chief Academic Officer | Christelle Naddaf |
| Chief Financial & Operations Officer | Artie Nagar |
| Chief Development Officer | Shelly Schroth |
| Chief Admissions & Enrollment Management Officer | Scott Turner |
| Dean of STEM | David Bird |
| Dean of Humanities | Maribel Kuklish |
| Dean of Arts & Wellness | Julianne Kusmierczyk |
| Athletic Director | James Jimenez |
| Board of Regents Chair | Heather O’Connor |
Community & Events
Student life at Providence runs through more than 40 clubs and organizations plus a full slate of Associated Student Body-led activities, and the school’s Catholic heritage shapes several signature annual traditions. Foundress Week celebrates Blessed Émilie Gamelin, the founder of the Sisters of Providence, around her September 23 feast day, while Pioneer Week pits the four grade levels against each other in athletic competitions for spirit points, and Theme Week builds toward a school-wide competitive performance event. The Parent Guardian Association and an active Alumni network (including a recently launched Alumni Chorale) round out the school’s community programming, alongside regular Faith & Spirituality and Community Impact service initiatives tied to the school’s mission.
| Community Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clubs & Organizations | 40+ |
| Signature Traditions | Foundress Week (Sept.), Pioneer Week, Theme Week |
| Parent Group | Parent Guardian Association |
| Alumni Programming | Alumni network; Alumni Chorale (launched 2024-2025) |
| Faith Life | Catholic faith programming open to all students regardless of faith tradition |
| Service | Community Impact programming tied to the Sisters of Providence mission |
Accreditation
Providence High School holds accreditation from both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA), a dual-accreditation model common among California’s Catholic independent schools. The school is also a member of the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), which independently accredits the school alongside WASC/WCEA, and holds affiliate memberships with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Historically, the U.S. Department of Education recognized Providence as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1998.
| Accreditation/Affiliation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accrediting Bodies | Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA); California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) |
| Historical Recognition | National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, 1998 (U.S. Dept. of Education) |
| Affiliations | National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), Independent School Management (ISM) |
| Governance | Independent Board of Regents, in partnership with Providence health system |
Conclusion
Providence High School offers a distinctive combination in the Burbank private school market: nearly 70 years of Catholic educational heritage from the Sisters of Providence, a genuinely small 10:1 faculty ratio, and specialized Cinema Arts, Medical, and Technology programs alongside a strong AP/Honors catalog. Because it’s an independent private school, admission runs on Providence’s own calendar of tours, spotlight events, and a September 1 application opening — not district boundaries — with published tuition, fees, and financial assistance options laid out clearly on the school’s site. For the most current admissions deadlines, tuition figures, or program details, always confirm directly with Providence High School’s admissions office, since these are updated annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Providence High School?
Tuition for the 2026–2027 school year is $31,800, plus a $100 application fee and a $1,000 registration fee. Supplemental fees apply for specialized programs (Medical, Cinema, Technology), AP exams, athletics, and performing arts productions. Need-based financial assistance and several tuition discounts (employee dependents, alumni legacy) are also available.
Is Providence High School a good school?
Providence is accredited by WASC and WCEA, holds independent-school accreditation through CAIS, and was historically named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 1998. Its own admissions materials cite college acceptances to schools including UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, Harvard, Yale, and Cornell, though families should weigh fit against their own priorities.
Is Providence High School Catholic, and do you have to be Catholic to attend?
Yes, Providence is an independent Catholic school founded by the Sisters of Providence, and its mission centers on expressing “God’s healing love” in the tradition of that religious community. According to the school’s own materials, students of any faith tradition are welcome and invited to participate in the school’s spiritual life.
How do I apply to Providence High School?
Providence recommends a four-step process: attend a Campus Tour (August–December), attend Spotlight, Meet PHS, and Meet the Faculty events (October–December), submit the online application once it opens September 1, and visit an on-campus public event such as a game or performance.
How many students attend Providence High School?
Providence enrolls approximately 500 students in grades 9 through 12, with a 10:1 faculty-to-student ratio according to the school’s own admissions materials.
What specialized programs does Providence High School offer?
Beyond its core college-prep curriculum with 20 AP and 17 Honors courses, Providence offers five specialized programs students can pursue: Cinema Arts, Medical, Technology, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts, each with dedicated facilities including a Science Center, Cinema Arts Center, and Technology Focus Program Center.
Does Providence High School offer financial aid?
Yes. Providence offers need-based financial assistance through a confidential application process verified by an outside financial service, plus specific discounts: a $6,000 tuition reduction for dependents of Providence health system employees, a 50% discount for dependents of Providence High School employees, and a $1,000 annual Alumni Legacy Award for students with a parent, grandparent, or guardian who graduated from the school.
Who is the Head of School at Providence High School?
Scott McLarty currently serves as Head of School, supported by a Head’s Cabinet of chief officers overseeing academics, student life, admissions, development, and finance/operations.
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