The Best Private Schools in Ketchum, Idaho
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ketchum. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Community School
Independent
The Community School is a highly regarded independent school located in Sun Valley, just minutes from Ketchum. Founded in 1973, it offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum combined with extensive outdoor and experiential learning opportunities. The school emphasizes academic excellence, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty, and features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. Programs include advanced placement courses, wilderness expeditions, and competitive sports, fostering well-rounded student development. Parent satisfaction is high due to its strong community focus and proven track record of college placements.
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Sage School
Independent
Sage School, located in nearby Hailey, is an independent school known for its innovative, hands-on educational approach. Established in 1995, it serves students from Ketchum and the broader Wood River Valley with a focus on experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and arts integration. The school boasts modern classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention. Extracurriculars include robotics, environmental studies, and community service projects. It has a strong reputation for academic excellence and parent satisfaction, with a curriculum designed to develop critical thinking and character.
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St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Boise
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Hailey provides a faith-based education serving families in Ketchum and surrounding areas. Founded in 1975, it offers a strong academic foundation rooted in Catholic values, with programs in core subjects, religious studies, and character development. The school features well-maintained facilities, including technology-enhanced classrooms and a gymnasium, and emphasizes small class sizes for individualized learning. Extracurricular activities include music, sports, and community outreach. With a focus on holistic development and a supportive community, it has consistently high parent satisfaction and a track record of preparing students for future academic success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ketchum, Idaho
What are the primary private school options available in Ketchum, Idaho, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Ketchum, Idaho, offers a small but distinctive selection of private schools, each with a unique approach. The Community School is a prestigious, independent college-preparatory school for grades Pre-K through 12, emphasizing experiential learning, outdoor education, and a strong connection to the local mountain environment. The Sage School is an independent middle and high school (grades 6-12) focused on project-based learning, critical thinking, and personalized academic pathways. St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School provides a faith-based education from Preschool through 8th grade, integrating Catholic values with a rigorous academic curriculum. This limited number means parents should consider each school's specific philosophy and grade offerings carefully.
How does the tuition for private schools in Ketchum, ID, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Idaho residents?
Tuition in Ketchum's private schools reflects the area's cost of living and the schools' specialized programs. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition ranges are approximately: The Community School ($30,000 - $40,000+), The Sage School ($28,000 - $32,000), and St. Charles Borromeo ($7,000 - $9,000). All three schools offer need-based financial aid, and Idaho residents may also be eligible for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship for students heading to college. Additionally, Idaho has an Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which can provide state-funded accounts for eligible students to use for private school tuition and other educational expenses, a significant financial consideration for qualifying families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Ketchum private schools offer that leverage the local Idaho environment?
Ketchum private schools uniquely integrate the Sawtooth Mountain landscape and Idaho's outdoor culture into their curricula. The Community School has a renowned Winter Term where academic study is combined with skiing/snowboarding, and a required "Senior Project" often involving wilderness expeditions. The Sage School emphasizes place-based learning, with projects frequently focused on local ecology, sustainability, and community issues in the Wood River Valley. St. Charles Borromeo incorporates outdoor education and local field trips. All schools take advantage of proximity to world-class skiing, hiking, and rivers for physical education and character development, making outdoor proficiency a notable part of the educational experience.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Ketchum, and are there waitlists due to limited capacity?
Given the small size of Ketchum's private schools, planning ahead is crucial. The main admission season runs from fall to winter for the following academic year, with application deadlines typically between January and February. The Community School and The Sage School often have rolling admissions after priority deadlines but can have waitlists, especially for entry-level grades. St. Charles Borromeo also encourages early applications. The process usually includes an application, school records, teacher recommendations, student assessments, and a family interview. Due to limited seats, especially in the lower and middle grades, it is highly recommended to initiate inquiries a full year in advance.
For families moving to Ketchum, how do the local private schools compare to the public Blaine County School District, particularly in terms of class size and academic focus?
The Blaine County School District is well-regarded, but private schools in Ketchum offer distinct alternatives. The most significant difference is class size: private schools typically have 12-18 students per class, compared to larger public school classrooms. Academically, private schools offer more specialized approaches—college-prep with outdoor immersion (Community School), project-based learning (Sage School), or faith-based education (St. Charles)—whereas the public district provides a broad, standard curriculum. Private schools also offer more flexibility for multi-day academic trips and intensive terms. The choice often hinges on a family's desire for a specific educational philosophy, smaller community, and willingness to invest in tuition versus the no-cost, comprehensive offerings of the public system.