The Best Private Schools in Plummer, Idaho
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Plummer. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Dominic's Catholic School
Diocese of Boise
St. Dominic's Catholic School is a highly-rated private institution serving the Plummer area with a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with Catholic values. Established in 1980, it features small class sizes, dedicated certified teachers, and modern facilities including science labs and technology-enhanced classrooms. The school emphasizes character development, community service, and offers extracurriculars like athletics and music. Parents consistently praise its nurturing environment, strong parent-teacher collaboration, and high student achievement rates in standardized testing.
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St. Thomas More School
Diocese of Spokane
St. Thomas More School is a top-rated private Catholic school that serves the Plummer area as part of the broader Inland Northwest region. Established in 1974, it offers a challenging academic curriculum with emphasis on critical thinking, literacy, and math skills, complemented by arts and music programs. The school boasts modern facilities, including smart classrooms, art studios, and a full-sized gym. With a reputation for high parent satisfaction, it features dedicated faculty, strong community involvement, and a variety of extracurriculars such as sports and clubs, ensuring a well-rounded education for students.
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Coeur d'Alene Christian School
Independent Christian School
Coeur d'Alene Christian School provides a comprehensive, faith-based education for students from kindergarten through high school, serving families in Plummer and the surrounding region. Founded in 1989, the school is known for its academic excellence, with a curriculum that includes advanced placement courses, STEM initiatives, and biblical integration. Facilities feature state-of-the-art technology labs, a gymnasium, and athletic fields. Highly rated for teacher quality and low student-to-teacher ratios, parents report high satisfaction with the school's focus on spiritual growth, college preparedness, and diverse extracurricular activities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Plummer, Idaho
What are the private school options directly in Plummer, Idaho, and what are the closest options if I'm willing to commute?
There are no private schools physically located within the city limits of Plummer, Idaho. Families in Plummer typically look to neighboring communities for private education. The closest and most commonly considered options include St. Dominic's Catholic School in Post Falls (about a 30-minute drive), Coeur d'Alene Christian School in Coeur d'Alene (about a 35-minute drive), and St. Thomas More School in Coeur d'Alene. This means commuting is a significant factor for Plummer families choosing private education, and carpooling with other local families is a common consideration.
How does Idaho's school choice legislation, like the Idaho Launch and Empowering Parents grants, affect private school tuition for Plummer families?
Idaho does not have a traditional voucher or tax-credit scholarship program that directly subsidizes private K-12 tuition. However, the state's **Empowering Parents Grant** program can provide funds for educational materials and services, which may be used by private school students for things like tutoring, technology, or curriculum fees, but not for core tuition. For high school students, the **Idaho Launch** program can help cover tuition for career training programs, which may be relevant for private schools with strong vocational tracks. Plummer families should budget for full tuition and investigate each school's specific financial aid and parish/sibling discounts, as state-level direct tuition assistance is limited.
Given Plummer's location within the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Reservation, are there private schools in the area that offer unique cultural or language programs?
While the private schools in the surrounding region (like St. Dominic's, Coeur d'Alene Christian, and St. Thomas More) do not typically have specific curricula centered on Coeur d'Alene Tribal culture or language, their locations create a unique context. These schools often have a student body that includes members of the Tribe, fostering a diverse community. For families seeking immersive cultural education, the primary option is the **Coeur d'Alene Tribal School**, a public charter school in Plummer itself, which integrates tribal language and history. Private school families in Plummer often supplement education with community and tribal cultural events.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Plummer, Idaho, families, and how early should I apply?
For the private schools in Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene that serve Plummer families, enrollment typically opens in January or February for the following fall semester. Admission is often on a rolling basis, but popular grades can fill quickly. The process usually involves an application form, submission of past academic records, a family interview, and sometimes student assessment. Given the commute from Plummer, it's advisable to apply as early as possible, ideally by March, to secure a spot and to coordinate transportation with other families. Many schools also host open houses in the fall, which Plummer parents should attend to assess the commute firsthand.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools near Plummer compare to the local public school, Plummer-Worley School District?
The Plummer-Worley School District (public) offers very small class sizes due to the rural community, which is a significant strength. The private schools in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls also pride themselves on low student-to-teacher ratios, often ranging from 15:1 to 20:1. The key difference lies in the community environment and educational approach. Private schools offer a specific religious or pedagogical mission (e.g., Catholic or nondenominational Christian) that permeates the curriculum. For Plummer families, choosing private often means prioritizing this mission-based education and accepting the daily commute, whereas the local public district offers the convenience of proximity and a community-centered, secular education with potentially comparable small class sizes.