The Best Private Schools in Wallace, Idaho
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Wallace. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. George's School
Independent
St. George's School is a prestigious independent college-preparatory school that serves students from throughout the Inland Northwest, including families from Wallace. With over 65 years of academic excellence, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement options. The 120-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science centers, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school's unique Outdoor Program integrates Idaho's natural environment into education. St. George's maintains a strong reputation for sending graduates to top universities and provides transportation options for students from the Silver Valley region.
Programs:
St. Thomas More Catholic School
Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Spokane
St. Thomas More Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the Silver Valley region including Wallace. With over 60 years of educational excellence, the school offers a classical Catholic education integrated with modern STEM programs. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong community environment. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and dedicated spaces for music and arts. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement and serves students from preschool through 8th grade.
Programs:
The Oaks Academy
Independent
The Oaks Academy provides a classical Christian education to students throughout North Idaho, including the Wallace area. The school combines rigorous academic training with character formation and spiritual development. Their unique curriculum includes Latin instruction starting in elementary grades, comprehensive fine arts programs, and extensive outdoor education taking advantage of Idaho's natural environment. The school maintains small student-teacher ratios and emphasizes critical thinking skills through classical teaching methods. Families from Wallace appreciate the school's strong community and academic preparation.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Wallace, Idaho
What are the specific private school options available for families in Wallace, Idaho, and what grade levels do they serve?
In Wallace, Idaho, and the immediate surrounding Silver Valley area, families have a few core private school options. St. Thomas More Catholic School in nearby Kellogg (a short commute from Wallace) offers a faith-based K-8 education. The Oaks Academy, also in Kellogg, provides a classical Christian education. For boarding and day options, St. George's School is a notable independent college-preparatory school located in Spokane, Washington, which is about an hour's drive from Wallace and serves grades 9-12. Due to Wallace's small size, most private schooling requires looking to neighboring communities within Shoshone County or to Spokane for secondary education.
How does tuition for private schools in the Wallace, Idaho area compare to the state average, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for private schools serving the Wallace area tends to be below the national average but is significant relative to local incomes. For example, local parochial schools like St. Thomas More often have tuition in the range of $4,000-$6,000 annually. Idaho offers the "Idaho Opportunity Scholarship" for higher education, but for K-12, the key state-specific program is the "Idaho Education Tax Deduction." This allows parents to deduct up to $4,118 per student (for the 2023 tax year) for qualified educational expenses, including private school tuition, from their Idaho state taxable income. Additionally, many schools offer parish subsidies (for Catholic schools) and need-based financial aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Wallace region offer that reflect the local environment and heritage?
Private schools in the Silver Valley often integrate the region's rich mining history and natural environment into their curricula. For instance, schools may emphasize geology, environmental science, and local history through field trips to the Wallace District Mining Museum or the Sierra Silver Mine Tour. The proximity to the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and numerous lakes also allows for outdoor education programs focused on ecology, forestry, and recreation. This local focus provides a deeply contextualized learning experience that connects classroom lessons to the community's identity and surroundings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Thomas More or The Oaks Academy that serve Wallace families?
The enrollment process for Wallace-area private schools typically begins in the winter or early spring for the following fall semester. For St. Thomas More Catholic School and The Oaks Academy, parents should contact the school office directly to schedule a tour and receive an application packet. Priority is often given to siblings of current students and members of the supporting church parishes. Due to small class sizes, these schools can fill up, so initiating contact by February or March is advisable. The process usually includes submitting an application, academic records, and sometimes a family interview. Rolling admission may be available if spots remain.
For a family in Wallace, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school option?
The decision in Wallace often centers on educational philosophy, class size, and commute. Wallace Public Schools are part of the Wallace School District #393, which is a close-knit community school. Choosing a private school like those in Kellogg may offer a specific religious or classical education framework, often with very small class sizes (sometimes 10-15 students). However, it requires a daily commute of 10-20 minutes. Financially, public school is free, while private school requires tuition. Parents must weigh the value of a specialized curriculum and environment against the cost and convenience of the local public school, which itself is deeply integrated into the historic town of Wallace.