The Best Private Schools in Saint Paul, Oregon
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Saint Paul. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Valley Catholic School
Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon
Valley Catholic School offers a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school, serving families throughout the Willamette Valley region including Saint Paul. The school features International Baccalaureate programs, state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. With a strong college preparatory focus, Valley Catholic boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and offers diverse extracurricular opportunities including robotics, theater, and championship athletic teams.
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Blanchet Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Salem
Blanchet Catholic School is a highly-regarded college preparatory high school serving the greater Salem area, including Saint Paul. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 16 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and competitive athletics. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, Blanchet provides personalized attention and strong community values. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes.
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St. Luke School
Private Catholic School
St. Luke School serves students from preschool through 8th grade in the Woodburn area, conveniently located for Saint Paul families. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring small class sizes and individualized instruction. Programs include comprehensive technology integration with 1:1 device programs, strong literacy and mathematics foundations, and extensive extracurricular activities including sports, music, and community service programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Saint Paul, Oregon
What are the primary private school options available for families in Saint Paul, Oregon, and what grade levels do they serve?
Saint Paul, Oregon, is a small, tight-knit community, and its immediate private school options are limited but highly regarded. The most prominent local choice is **St. Luke School**, a private Catholic school serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. For high school, families in Saint Paul typically look to nearby communities. The top regional options, as noted, include **Blanchet Catholic School** in Salem (grades 6-12) and **Valley Catholic School** in Beaverton (Pre-K through 12th grade), both requiring a commute. This means parents in Saint Paul often consider a combination of local elementary/middle education and planning for a transition to a regional high school.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Saint Paul, Oregon, area compare, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies significantly between the local and regional options. **St. Luke School** in Saint Paul generally has lower tuition than the larger regional schools, reflecting its community-based size and parish support. For the 2024-2025 academic year, families should expect tuition in the range of $5,000-$7,000 annually for parish members. **Blanchet Catholic School** and **Valley Catholic School** have higher tuitions, often ranging from $12,000 to $18,000+ for high school. Oregon offers the **Opportunity Grant Tax Credit** program, which can provide significant tuition assistance for middle-income families using funds from business donations to participating schools. Additionally, all these schools offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies, making it essential to apply for aid directly through the school's financial aid service (like FACTS).
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Saint Paul, Oregon, students, particularly given the area's agricultural setting?
Private schools in and serving Saint Paul leverage both their faith-based identity and the local context. **St. Luke School** integrates its small size with a strong focus on community service and environmental stewardship, sometimes connecting to the local agricultural community. **Blanchet Catholic School**, while in Salem, offers robust STEM programs and college counseling that attract Saint Paul families seeking rigorous college prep. Notably, **Valley Catholic School** features a unique combination of a college-prep curriculum with exceptional arts and music programs through its affiliation with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. For families in Saint Paul, the choice often balances academic rigor with specialized programs not available in the small local public district.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Luke School in Saint Paul, and when should we apply?
For **St. Luke School** in Saint Paul, the enrollment process typically begins in January for the following fall. Priority is often given to active parish members of St. Luke Church, siblings of current students, and then new families. The process involves submitting an application, student records, and often a family interview. For the regional schools like Blanchet and Valley Catholic, timelines are similar but more competitive, with applications often due by late January or February. Given Saint Paul's size, spots at St. Luke can fill quickly for certain grades. It is highly recommended to contact the school office by November or December to express interest, attend an open house, and understand specific requirements for transfer students.
For a family in Saint Paul, Oregon, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public school district and a private school option?
The decision hinges on several factors unique to Saint Paul. The **Saint Paul School District** is very small (typically a single K-12 school), offering a close-knit, community-focused environment with no tuition. Choosing a private school like St. Luke involves a financial commitment but provides a specific faith-based education, often with smaller class sizes at the elementary/middle level and a different curricular approach. For high school, the comparison shifts: families may consider whether to stay with the small public high school or commute to a larger private high school like Blanchet for a wider array of Advanced Placement courses, extracurricular activities, and college preparatory resources. The commute (20-45 minutes to regional privates) and involvement in the local community versus a broader regional network are major practical considerations for Saint Paul residents.