The Best Private Schools in Avery, Idaho
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Avery. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Thomas More Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Boise
St. Thomas More Catholic School is a highly-regarded private school serving the broader North Idaho region, including families from Avery. The school offers a classical Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade, emphasizing academic excellence within a faith-based environment. The curriculum includes rigorous academics, STEM education, fine arts, and competitive athletics. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains high parent satisfaction and strong community involvement. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology integration, and athletic fields.
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Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy
Public Charter School
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is a nationally recognized public charter school that serves students from across North Idaho, including the Avery area. The school consistently ranks among the top schools in Idaho for academic achievement and college readiness. Offering a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement opportunities, the academy emphasizes critical thinking and academic excellence. The school features comprehensive STEM programs, competitive athletics, and vibrant performing arts. With high graduation rates and strong college acceptance records, it attracts families seeking exceptional educational opportunities.
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The Oaks Classical Christian Academy
Classical Christian Education
The Oaks Classical Christian Academy provides a classical Christian education that serves families throughout the Inland Northwest region, including those from Avery, Idaho. Located in nearby Spokane, the school offers a distinctive educational approach centered on the trivium method (grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages). The curriculum includes Latin instruction, classical literature, comprehensive fine arts, and rigorous academic preparation. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement. Many families from North Idaho commute to access this unique educational model that combines classical learning with Christian worldview integration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Avery, Idaho
What are the realistic private school options for families living in Avery, Idaho, given its rural location?
While Avery itself is a very small, rural community without a private school within its immediate boundaries, families typically look to schools in larger nearby areas. The most accessible and notable options include St. Thomas More Catholic School in Spokane Valley, WA (approx. 2+ hours drive), Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy in Coeur d'Alene, ID (approx. 2.5+ hours drive), and The Oaks Classical Christian Academy in Spokane, WA (approx. 2+ hours drive). Enrollment from Avery involves a significant daily commute or exploring boarding options. Many Avery families also consider online private academies as a primary alternative to mitigate the travel challenge.
How does Idaho's school choice policies, like the Idaho Advanced Opportunities program, benefit Avery students attending private schools?
Idaho's Advanced Opportunities program provides public funding (currently over $4,000) for eligible high school students to use on dual credit, career technical education, and exams. However, this funding is generally not directly transferable to private school tuition. For Avery families, the main financial consideration is the lack of state-funded vouchers or tax-credit scholarships that exist in some other states. Financial aid is offered directly by the schools (like need-based grants at St. Thomas More or Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy), but parents should budget for full tuition plus the substantial cost and time of transportation from Avery.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs at these nearby private schools might justify the long commute from Avery?
Schools accessible to Avery families offer specialized programs not typically available in small rural public districts. Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is renowned for its rigorous, accelerated college-prep curriculum and consistently high state rankings. The Oaks Classical Christian Academy provides a distinct Socratic teaching method and Latin instruction rooted in a Christian worldview. St. Thomas More offers a faith-based education integrated with STEM and arts. For an Avery student passionate in these specific areas, these programs can provide a targeted educational path, though the commitment requires careful evaluation of the daily travel logistics.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for an Avery resident applying to Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy or St. Thomas More?
Given the competitive nature and limited seats at schools like Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, planning is crucial for Avery families. Coeur d'Alene Charter typically has an open enrollment period in early winter (e.g., January) for the following academic year, with a public lottery if applications exceed capacity. St. Thomas More often begins accepting applications in the fall. The key for Avery parents is to initiate contact with admissions offices well in advance—often a full year before desired enrollment—to understand specific requirements, arrange visits (which will be a major trip), and discuss geographical considerations in the application process.
How do the class sizes and community environment of these private schools compare to the public school experience in Avery, Idaho?
The public school experience in Avery is centered on a very small, close-knit K-12 school where multi-grade classrooms are common and everyone knows each other. In contrast, the private schools within commuting distance offer larger (but still relatively small) student bodies and single-grade classrooms. For example, Coeur d'Alene Charter has a middle/high school population several times larger than Avery's entire school. The community environment shifts from a rural, localized setting to a mission-driven community (faith-based or academically competitive). This can offer more specialized peer groups and extracurricular variety, but it comes at the cost of integrating into a community far from home.