The Best Private Schools in Coeur D Alene, Idaho
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Coeur D Alene. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Thomas Catholic School
Diocese of Boise Catholic Schools
St. Thomas Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade with a comprehensive Catholic education that emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual formation, and character development. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong sense of community. Their curriculum includes advanced mathematics, science labs, Spanish language instruction, and robust fine arts programs. The campus includes modern classrooms, a chapel, gymnasium, and outdoor athletic facilities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, rigorous academics, and strong community values.
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The Oaks Academy
Independent Private School
The Oaks Academy offers a classical Christian education for students in grades K-12, focusing on developing wisdom and virtue through a time-tested curriculum. The school emphasizes Socratic discussion, critical thinking, and integration of subjects across the liberal arts tradition. Their unique outdoor education program utilizes North Idaho's natural environment for hands-on learning. Facilities include dedicated science labs, art studios, music rooms, and athletic spaces. The school is known for its strong parent community, dedicated teachers, and graduates who excel in higher education.
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Gonzaga Preparatory School
Jesuit Northwest Schools
While located in nearby Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga Prep serves many families from the Coeur D'Alene area and provides daily transportation options. As a Jesuit college preparatory school, it offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM opportunities, and comprehensive arts programs. The 70-acre campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, athletic facilities, and technology-rich classrooms. The school emphasizes cura personalis (care for the whole person) and has a strong track record of college acceptance at prestigious universities. Many Coeur D'Alene families choose Gonzaga Prep for its exceptional academic reputation and comprehensive extracurricular offerings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Coeur D Alene, Idaho
What are the primary private school options available within Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Coeur d'Alene offers a few key private school options, each with a distinct focus. **St. Thomas Catholic School** provides a faith-based, Pre-K through 8th-grade education rooted in Catholic values. **The Oaks Academy** is a classical Christian school serving grades K-12, emphasizing a traditional liberal arts curriculum, great books, and Socratic discussion. While **Gonzaga Preparatory School** is a highly-regarded Jesuit college-preparatory school, it is located in Spokane, WA, and is a common choice for Coeur d'Alene families willing to commute across the state line. The local private school landscape is characterized by smaller class sizes and strong community identity, with a notable emphasis on religious and classical education models.
How does tuition for private schools in Coeur d'Alene, ID, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in Coeur d'Alene is generally competitive but can vary. For the 2024-2025 academic year, local elementary/middle schools like St. Thomas and The Oaks Academy have tuition ranging from approximately $6,000 to $9,000 annually. This is often below the national average for private schools but may be slightly above the Idaho state average due to Coeur d'Alene's resort-area economy. Most schools offer need-based financial aid, sibling discounts, and parish subsidies for affiliated families. Importantly, Idaho has an Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which allows eligible families to use state funds for private school tuition and other educational expenses, significantly reducing the net cost for qualifying Coeur d'Alene residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Coeur d'Alene private schools offer that leverage the local North Idaho environment?
Private schools in Coeur d'Alene often integrate the region's natural assets and community character into their programs. The Oaks Academy and other local schools emphasize outdoor education, with field trips to Lake Coeur d'Alene, the surrounding national forests, and the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes for science and environmental studies. Many incorporate Idaho history and natural resource management into their curricula. Extracurriculars frequently include skiing/snowboarding clubs leveraging nearby Schweitzer Mountain Resort, robust outdoor sports, and community service partnerships with local non-profits and environmental organizations, fostering a strong connection to the regional identity.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Coeur d'Alene, and are waitlists common?
The enrollment process for Coeur d'Alene private schools often begins in the winter (January-February) for the following fall, with application deadlines typically in March. Due to limited seats, especially in the lower grades at popular schools like The Oaks Academy, it is advisable to apply early. The process usually includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and for some, a student assessment. Many schools host open houses in the fall and winter. Waitlists are common for sought-after grades, particularly kindergarten and early elementary, as the small size of these schools creates high demand relative to availability. Siblings of current students and parish members (for faith-based schools) often receive priority.
For families considering both sectors, what are the key differences between the Coeur d'Alene public school district and the local private school options?
The Coeur d'Alene School District (#271) is well-regarded, offering diverse programs, advanced placement courses, and larger-scale extracurriculars. The primary differences with local private options are scale, specialization, and religious affiliation. Private schools offer much smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25-30+ in public), a specific educational philosophy (classical or faith-based), and a consistent values-based environment throughout the day. Public schools provide broader course variety in higher grades, no tuition, and specialized services (like extensive special education). The choice often hinges on a family's desire for a specific pedagogical approach, religious education, and intimate community versus the no-cost, comprehensive offerings of the larger public system. The commute is also a factor, as some families choose Spokane-area private schools, adding significant daily travel time.