The Best Private Schools in Estacada, Oregon
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Estacada. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Oregon Episcopal School
Oregon Episcopal School
Oregon Episcopal School is a highly-regarded independent day and boarding school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located in Portland's West Hills, OES serves families throughout the Portland metropolitan area including Estacada. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes, extensive Advanced Placement offerings, and outstanding arts and athletics programs. The 59-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. OES is known for its strong community values and commitment to developing well-rounded students.
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The Delphian School
Delphi Schools, Inc.
The Delphian School is a premier independent boarding and day school located in Sheridan, Oregon, serving students from Oregon and worldwide. The school offers an innovative individualized learning approach based on the study methods of L. Ron Hubbard. With a beautiful 800-acre campus in the Willamette Valley, Delphian provides comprehensive academic programs including strong STEM offerings, arts, and leadership development. The school serves families from Estacada and surrounding communities with both day and boarding options. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and residential accommodations.
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Valley Catholic School
Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries
Valley Catholic School is a highly-respected Catholic private school serving students from early childhood through high school. Located in Beaverton, the school serves families throughout the Portland metropolitan area including Estacada. Valley Catholic offers a comprehensive educational program including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for high school students. The campus features modern academic facilities, performing arts center, athletic complex, and extensive technology resources. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with strong college preparation and diverse extracurricular opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Estacada, Oregon
Are there any private schools physically located within the city limits of Estacada, Oregon, or do families typically look to surrounding areas?
There are no major, traditional private K-12 day schools physically located within Estacada's city limits. Families in Estacada seeking private education typically look to schools in the greater Portland metropolitan area and the Willamette Valley. The schools often considered, like Oregon Episcopal School (Portland), The Delphian School (Sheridan), and Valley Catholic School (Beaverton), involve a commute. This makes transportation logistics, including carpooling or utilizing school-provided shuttle services from nearby hubs, a key practical consideration for Estacada residents.
What are the typical tuition ranges for the private schools near Estacada, Oregon, and are there state-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the top private schools accessible to Estacada families varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Oregon Episcopal School's upper school tuition is approximately $40,000+, Valley Catholic School's high school tuition is around $18,000, and The Delphian School (a boarding/day option) has comprehensive fees exceeding $50,000 for boarding students. Oregon offers the "Opportunity Grant" tax credit program for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which can increase financial aid pools. Additionally, many schools participate in the BASIC Fund (for lower grades) and offer their own need-based aid, which is crucial for families managing both tuition and the costs associated with commuting from a more rural area like Estacada.
How do the academic and extracurricular programs at Portland-area private schools cater to students coming from a more rural community like Estacada?
Schools like Oregon Episcopal School and Valley Catholic offer robust programs that can be particularly enriching for students from Estacada. These include extensive Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, competitive athletics, and specialized arts facilities that may not be available locally. For families valuing an outdoor or experiential focus that complements an Estacada lifestyle, OES's 59-acre campus with outdoor programs is a notable fit. The Delphian School emphasizes individualized, mastery-based learning, which can be appealing for students seeking a different pace. The key is evaluating how a school's specific offerings align with your child's interests and the cultural transition from a smaller, tight-knit community to a larger institution.
What is the enrollment timeline for competitive private schools in the Portland area, and how far in advance should an Estacada family start planning?
The admission process for sought-after schools like OES and Valley Catholic is highly structured and begins early. The primary application deadline for the following fall is typically in January or February, with assessments, interviews, and campus visits occurring in the preceding fall and winter. For an Estacada family, planning should begin at least 12-18 months in advance. This allows time for thorough research, scheduling multiple visits (factoring in commute time), and preparing application materials. Many schools host open houses starting in September. Given the geographic distance, scheduling clustered visits over a day or two in Portland is a common strategy to minimize travel.
For an Estacada family, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local Estacada School District public schools and a private school requiring a long commute?
This decision hinges on balancing community connection with specialized opportunity. Estacada public schools offer the convenience of a short commute, strong local peer networks, and programs like their noted forestry and natural resources CTE pathway. Opting for a private school involves a significant daily commitment to transportation (30-60+ minutes each way), which impacts family schedules and student energy. The trade-off is often access to different academic rigor, smaller class sizes, specific religious education (e.g., Valley Catholic), or alternative pedagogical approaches (e.g., Delphian). Families must weigh the value of these specialized programs against the benefits of being embedded in the local Estacada community and the practical toll of the commute.