The Best Private Schools in Cambridge, Idaho
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Cambridge. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Treasure Valley Christian School
Independent Christian School
Treasure Valley Christian School in Ontario, Oregon, is a premier private institution serving families in the Cambridge region with a robust academic and extracurricular program. It provides a Christ-centered education from kindergarten through 12th grade, featuring advanced placement courses, STEM initiatives, and a wide range of sports and arts. The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including science labs, a gymnasium, and technology resources, and is known for its high graduation rates and college acceptance. Parent reviews highlight its committed faculty and strong community values.
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St. Mary's Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Boise
St. Mary's Catholic School in Weiser is a highly-regarded parochial school serving students from Cambridge and surrounding areas with a strong emphasis on faith-based education and academic excellence. The school offers a comprehensive K-8 curriculum that includes core subjects, religious instruction, and extracurricular activities like music and sports. With small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a supportive community, it has built a reputation for fostering moral development and student success. Facilities include modern classrooms, a library, and play areas, and parent satisfaction is high due to its safe, nurturing environment.
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St. Mary's Catholic School (Payette)
Catholic Diocese of Boise
Located in Payette, this St. Mary's Catholic School offers a quality private education for students in the Cambridge area, focusing on grades K-6 with an emphasis on academic rigor and spiritual growth. The school features a well-rounded curriculum that integrates traditional subjects with Catholic teachings, along with activities such as choir and community service. Its experienced staff, safe campus, and family-oriented atmosphere contribute to strong parent satisfaction and student achievement. The school has maintained its reputation for decades through consistent educational outcomes and active parental involvement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Cambridge, Idaho
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Cambridge, Idaho?
Cambridge, Idaho, is a small rural community, so on-site private school options within the city limits are limited. However, families in the area commonly consider schools in neighboring towns. The most frequently referenced options include St. Mary's Catholic School in nearby Payette (about a 45-minute drive) and Treasure Valley Christian School, which is located in Ontario, Oregon (approximately a 50-minute drive). For Cambridge residents, choosing a private school typically involves a commitment to longer daily transportation. It's advisable to also explore potential homeschool cooperatives or micro-schools that may operate informally in the Cambridge area.
How does the tuition for private schools serving Cambridge, ID, compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for private schools accessible to Cambridge families, like St. Mary's Catholic School, tends to be below the national private school average but is a significant consideration for local household budgets. For the 2023-2024 school year, K-8 tuition at such schools often ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 annually. Idaho offers the "Idaho Opportunity Scholarship" for higher education, but for K-12, the primary state-supported financial mechanism is the "Idaho Child Care Program" for qualifying families, which may not apply directly to tuition. Most schools offer their own need-based financial aid or parish subsidies for members. Additionally, Idaho has an Education Savings Account (ESA) program, but eligibility is specific to students with special needs. Parents should inquire directly with each school about scholarships and payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Cambridge region offer that address rural and agricultural life?
Private schools in the region, understanding their rural context, often integrate programs that reflect local values and industries. For example, Treasure Valley Christian School emphasizes agricultural science and hands-on learning projects that can be applicable to family farms and ranches. St. Mary's Catholic School incorporates character education and community service projects tailored to small-town life, such as partnerships with local food banks or historical societies. While advanced STEM labs common in urban private schools may be less prevalent, these schools often provide strong foundational academics with smaller class sizes and may offer unique extracurriculars like 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters, or outdoor education programs that utilize the surrounding natural landscape of Washington County.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Mary's that serve Cambridge-area students?
Given the limited seats in these small schools, planning ahead is crucial. The enrollment process for schools like St. Mary's Catholic School in Payette usually begins in January or February for the following academic year. The process typically involves: 1) Submitting an inquiry or attending an open house (often virtual or in-person), 2) Completing a formal application with student records, 3) A family interview or student assessment, and 4) Registration and fee payment upon acceptance. Sibling and parish member priority is common. For Cambridge families, it's especially important to apply early and have a confirmed transportation plan, as the distance can impact availability if the school needs to manage carpool or bus zone considerations.
How do the class sizes and community environment of private schools near Cambridge compare to the local public school, Cambridge Elementary School?
Cambridge Elementary School, part of the Cambridge School District, offers the convenience of a very local, community-centered education with typical class sizes that are already small due to the rural setting. The primary differentiator with private options is educational philosophy and religious affiliation. Private schools like St. Mary's offer even smaller student-to-teacher ratios (often 10:1 or 12:1) and a faith-based curriculum integrated throughout the day. The community environment in a private school is self-selected around shared values, whereas the public school includes the entire local population. For Cambridge parents, the decision often hinges on whether they seek a specific religious education and are willing to commute, or prefer the proximity and inclusive community of the local public school, which also boasts strong parent involvement.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Private Schools Near Cambridge, Idaho: A Parent's Guide
For parents in Cambridge, Idaho, beginning the search for “good private schools near me” is a journey that intertwines academic aspirations with the values of our close-knit, rural community. Nestled in Washington County, Cambridge offers a unique educational landscape where private schooling is often characterized by small class sizes, personalized attention, and a strong sense of shared purpose. The options within and just beyond our city limits provide distinct pathways, each with its own philosophy to match your family’s priorities.
One of the cornerstone institutions is St. Mary’s Catholic School, right here in Cambridge. It represents a classic model of parish-based education, offering a structured, faith-integrated curriculum from preschool through eighth grade. For many local families, its greatest strength is the seamless continuity between school, church, and community life. The intimate environment ensures every child is known, not just as a student, but as a member of a supportive family. This is a significant consideration in our area, where educational choices can feel limited, and a school that feels like an extension of home holds immense value.
Venturing a short drive opens up additional excellent options, making the phrase “good private schools near me” truly regional. Just over in Payette, the second campus of St. Mary’s Catholic School offers a similar faith-based education with the resources of a slightly larger community. Meanwhile, Treasure Valley Christian School, located in nearby Ontario, Oregon, presents a compelling interdenominational Protestant alternative. It serves a wide grade range, often through high school, which is a crucial factor for Cambridge parents looking to avoid multiple transitions or a longer-term commute to a larger city. These schools understand they serve families from across the Idaho-Oregon border, creating communities that draw from Cambridge, Weiser, Fruitland, and beyond.
Choosing between these excellent schools requires a local lens. Consider the daily logistics: what does the commute to Payette or Ontario look like in a Idaho winter? How does the school calendar align with local agricultural rhythms, important to many families here? Beyond academics, visit and feel the culture. Does the school’s approach to discipline and character development resonate with your family’s values? In small private schools, the principal and teachers are deeply accessible; don’t hesitate to ask how they individualize learning or handle a mixed-grade classroom, a common feature in rural settings.
Ultimately, finding good private schools near Cambridge means looking for institutions that understand our way of life. They are partners in raising not just strong students, but resilient, community-minded individuals. The search is less about finding a prestigious name and more about discovering the right fit—a place where your child’s educational journey will be nurtured with intention and care, within the context of our beautiful Western Idaho home. Your most important step is to reach out, schedule a visit, and see where your family feels most welcomed and inspired.