The Best Private Schools in Kimberly, Idaho
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kimberly. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Edward's Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise
St. Edward's Catholic School is a highly-regarded private institution serving the Twin Falls region including Kimberly families. With nearly 70 years of educational excellence, the school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program rooted in Catholic values. The curriculum emphasizes strong academic foundations with dedicated STEM programs, fine arts integration, and competitive athletics. Parents consistently praise the small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong community atmosphere. The school features modern facilities including science labs, technology integration, and extensive athletic programs that serve students throughout the Magic Valley area.
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Canyon Ridge Christian School
Independent Christian School
Canyon Ridge Christian School is a premier private Christian institution serving the greater Twin Falls area including Kimberly residents. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through high school with a strong college preparatory focus. Academic programs are enhanced by biblical integration across all subjects, extensive fine arts offerings, and competitive athletic teams. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. Parent reviews highlight the school's academic rigor, character development programs, and strong community involvement that attracts families throughout Southern Idaho.
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Twin Falls Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Twin Falls Christian Academy provides quality Christian education to students throughout the Magic Valley, including families from Kimberly. Serving grades K-12, the academy emphasizes academic excellence combined with strong character development and spiritual growth. The curriculum includes advanced placement opportunities, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive sports. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and features well-equipped facilities including technology-enhanced classrooms, science labs, and athletic fields. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's nurturing environment, academic outcomes, and the strong moral foundation provided to students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kimberly, Idaho
What are the primary private school options available for families living in Kimberly, Idaho, and what are their core educational approaches?
Kimberly, ID, is served by a few key private institutions, primarily faith-based schools. The notable options include St. Edward's Catholic School (K-8), offering a traditional Catholic education with sacramental preparation; Canyon Ridge Christian School (Pre-K-12), providing an interdenominational Christian curriculum with a focus on college prep; and Twin Falls Christian Academy (K-12), which offers a biblically-integrated education from a Protestant perspective. It's important to note that while these schools are in the broader Twin Falls metro area, they are the primary private options for Kimberly residents, and transportation may be a consideration. There are no secular private schools physically located within Kimberly's city limits.
How does tuition for private schools in the Kimberly, Idaho, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Kimberly/Twin Falls area is generally below the national average but aligns with regional Idaho costs. For the 2024-2025 school year, expect ranges from approximately $5,000 to $8,000 annually for elementary grades and $7,000 to $10,000 for high school. Idaho has unique financial support options, including the "Idaho Opportunity Scholarship" for high school seniors and potential access to 529 plan funds for K-12 tuition. More directly, most local schools like Canyon Ridge Christian School and St. Edward's offer need-based financial aid, sibling discounts, and sometimes parish subsidies for member families. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their specific aid packages and any available local scholarship funds from community foundations.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Kimberly, Idaho, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Kimberly area leverage their smaller size and specific missions to offer distinct programs. For example, Canyon Ridge Christian School features a robust dual-credit program through partnerships with colleges like the College of Southern Idaho (CSI), allowing students to graduate with significant college credit. Twin Falls Christian Academy emphasizes fine arts and music programs integrated with its spiritual curriculum. St. Edward's Catholic School often highlights its strong foundational literacy and math programs in a tight-knit community setting. A common differentiator is the required religion/theology curriculum and the ability to incorporate faith-based perspectives across all subjects, which is not available in Kimberly's public school district.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Kimberly, Idaho, families, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for schools like St. Edward's, Canyon Ridge, and Twin Falls Christian Academy typically begins in January or February for the following fall. Priority is often given to current families, siblings, and church members. The process usually involves an application form, submission of past academic records, a family interview, and sometimes a student assessment. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in popular elementary grades, it's common for these schools to have waitlists by early spring. For Kimberly residents, applying early is strongly advised. Some schools may host open houses in the fall, so contacting them by October or November is the best way to get on their information list and understand specific deadlines.
For a family in Kimberly, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation and community when choosing a private school in the Twin Falls area?
This is a critical logistical factor. None of the major private schools are physically located within Kimberly; they are all in neighboring Twin Falls, approximately a 10-15 minute drive. Most families are responsible for providing their own transportation, as these private schools do not offer district-style bus routes from Kimberly. Carpooling with other Kimberly-based families is a common solution. The community aspect is twofold: your child will build friendships primarily in Twin Falls, which may affect local social activities, but the school itself becomes a close-knit community. Many families find the drive worthwhile for the specific educational environment, but it requires a significant daily time and fuel commitment compared to walking or taking a bus to Kimberly's public schools.