The Best Private Schools in Garibaldi, Oregon
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Garibaldi. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Academy
Catholic Schools of Tillamook
St. Mary's Academy is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving the Tillamook County area, including Garibaldi. Established in 1959, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong focus on faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics. The school features modern facilities, dedicated teachers, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes STEM education, music, arts, and competitive sports programs. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, academic excellence, and strong community values that prepare students for high school and beyond.
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Sacred Heart School
Archdiocese of Portland
Sacred Heart School in Seaside serves the northern Oregon coast region including Garibaldi families. Founded in 1949, this Catholic school provides education from preschool through 8th grade with a commitment to academic excellence and character development. The school features technology-integrated classrooms, comprehensive athletic programs, and strong community service components. With small class sizes and experienced faculty, Sacred Heart offers personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. The school is known for its strong parent involvement and successful student outcomes in regional high schools.
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St. James Santiago School
Archdiocese of Portland Catholic Schools
St. James Santiago School serves the central Oregon coast region including Garibaldi families seeking private education options. Established in 1979, the school offers preschool through 8th grade education with a unique Spanish immersion program and strong emphasis on outdoor education that leverages the coastal environment. The school features modern academic facilities, dedicated teaching staff, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes robust arts programs and technology integration. Parents appreciate the school's family-like atmosphere, academic rigor, and commitment to developing well-rounded students prepared for future academic challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Garibaldi, Oregon
What are the private school options for families living in Garibaldi, Oregon, and are there any located directly in the city?
Garibaldi itself is a small coastal city and does not host a private school campus within its immediate city limits. However, families in Garibaldi typically look to nearby communities for private education. The primary options, as you noted, are faith-based institutions in surrounding areas: St. Mary's Academy in Tillamook (approx. 15 miles south), Sacred Heart School in Tillamook, and St. James Santiago School in Seaside (approx. 25 miles north). For Garibaldi residents, school choice involves a commitment to commuting, making factors like carpooling and school-provided transportation (if available) important local considerations.
How does the tuition at private schools near Garibaldi, Oregon, compare, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the K-8 schools near Garibaldi (Sacred Heart and St. James Santiago) typically ranges from approximately $4,500 to $6,500 per year, while St. Mary's Academy (9-12) is higher. A key financial consideration specific to Oregon is the "Opportunity Grant" tax credit program. While not a voucher, it allows Oregon taxpayers to receive a state tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which in turn provide need-based aid to students attending private schools. This indirectly supports affordability. Additionally, all schools offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for active members, which is a crucial point for local families to explore.
Given Garibaldi's coastal economy and environment, do nearby private schools offer any specialized programs relevant to this context?
Yes, the unique coastal setting of Garibaldi influences local private school programs. St. Mary's Academy in Tillamook, for instance, has a strong environmental science program that leverages its proximity to Tillamook Bay, estuaries, and forests for hands-on learning. St. James Santiago in Seaside may incorporate marine biology and coastal ecology into its science curriculum. Furthermore, community service projects often involve local coastal conservation efforts, food bank support (relevant to seasonal economies), and partnerships with the fishing and tourism industries, providing students with a place-based education rooted in the North Oregon Coast.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Garibaldi, Oregon, families, and when should we apply?
The enrollment process for schools like Sacred Heart, St. James Santiago, and St. Mary's Academy generally begins in January or February for the following academic year. Priority is often given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of the affiliated church. Given the limited seats in these small schools, Garibaldi families are strongly advised to begin inquiries and campus visits the fall before desired enrollment. Many schools host open houses between October and January. Rolling admissions may continue if spaces remain, but for guaranteed consideration, applying by the spring priority deadline (often March 1st) is critical. Early contact is especially important to discuss transportation logistics from Garibaldi.
How do the class sizes and educational environments of private schools near Garibaldi compare to the public Garibaldi Grade School?
Garibaldi Grade School, part of the Neah-Kah-Nie School District, provides a public education with typical class sizes for the region. In contrast, the nearby private options are distinguished by significantly smaller class sizes, often with 15-20 students or fewer per classroom, allowing for highly individualized attention. The educational environment in the private schools is also explicitly values-based, integrating Catholic faith and character education throughout the curriculum—a distinct difference from the secular public system. For Garibaldi parents seeking a close-knit community with a specific religious foundation and consistent student-teacher ratios, the commute to Tillamook or Seaside is the trade-off for this particular educational model.
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