The Best Private Schools in Wilsonville, Oregon
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Wilsonville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Academy
St. Mary's Academy
St. Mary's Academy is Oregon's oldest continuously operating secondary school and consistently ranks among the top private schools in the Portland metropolitan area. Serving students from Wilsonville and throughout the region, this all-girls Catholic college preparatory school offers rigorous academics with 100% college acceptance rate. The school features state-of-the-art STEM labs, competitive athletic programs, and extensive arts offerings. With small class sizes averaging 18 students, personalized attention and leadership development are hallmarks of the educational experience. The school's downtown Portland location is easily accessible from Wilsonville via I-5.
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Oregon Episcopal School
Oregon Episcopal School
Oregon Episcopal School serves students from Wilsonville and across the Portland metro area with a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade program. The school is renowned for its International Baccalaureate curriculum and 59-acre campus featuring extensive athletic facilities, science labs, and performing arts spaces. OES emphasizes global citizenship and experiential learning through its renowned outdoor education program. The school maintains small class sizes with a 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio and offers extensive transportation options for Wilsonville families. Graduates consistently gain admission to top-tier colleges and universities nationwide.
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Valley Catholic School
Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries Corporation
Valley Catholic School provides a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade education serving families from Wilsonville and the broader Portland metropolitan area. Located just 15 minutes from Wilsonville, the school offers a seamless educational journey on a beautiful 43-acre campus. The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence with advanced STEM programs, comprehensive arts education, and competitive athletics. As a Catholic school, it integrates faith formation with rigorous academics while welcoming students of all backgrounds. The school features modern facilities including science laboratories, performance venues, and athletic complexes, with convenient transportation options for Wilsonville residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Wilsonville, Oregon
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Wilsonville, Oregon?
While Wilsonville itself has a limited number of standalone private campuses, families commonly consider several highly-regarded private schools in the greater Portland metro area that serve Wilsonville residents. The schools you mentioned—St. Mary's Academy (downtown Portland), Oregon Episcopal School (SW Portland), and Valley Catholic School (Beaverton)—are top choices, though they involve a commute. Additionally, Wilsonville is home to the Wilsonville Montessori School and is within reasonable distance to other options like Portland Christian Schools and French American International School. Many families also utilize the inter-district transfer process for nearby public charter schools as a quasi-private alternative.
How does tuition for Portland-area private schools compare for Wilsonville families, and are there Oregon-specific financial aid resources?
Tuition for the top-tier Portland-area private schools ranges from approximately $15,000 to over $30,000 annually for the 2024-2025 school year. For Wilsonville families, this cost is compounded by potential transportation expenses. Oregon offers specific financial aid resources, most notably the "Opportunity Grant" for lower-income families and tax-advantaged savings through the **Oregon 529 College Savings Plan**, which can now be used for K-12 private school tuition. Additionally, many schools like Valley Catholic and Oregon Episcopal School have substantial need-based financial aid endowments. It's crucial to apply for financial aid directly through the school (using platforms like Clarity) and to inquire about sibling discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible from Wilsonville offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Schools serving Wilsonville students often provide specialized programs not typically found in the Wilsonville School District. Oregon Episcopal School (OES) offers a globally-focused curriculum with extensive outdoor and experiential education. Valley Catholic School provides a continuous Pre-K through 12 Catholic education with strong arts and STEM integration. St. Mary's Academy, an all-girls school, emphasizes leadership and STEM for young women. These schools often have smaller class sizes, more intensive college counseling, and unique offerings like robotics teams, comprehensive language immersion, or semester-away programs that leverage their Portland-area resources, which can be a significant draw for families seeking a specific educational environment.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Portland area for Wilsonville applicants?
The timeline is highly structured and begins early. For fall admission, most schools open applications in August or September, with deadlines between January and February. Key steps include: 1) Attending open houses (often in the fall), 2) Submitting an application and fee by the deadline, 3) Completing student assessments and interviews (usually in January/February), and 4) Applying for financial aid concurrently. Notification dates are typically in March. For Wilsonville families, it's critical to plan for visit logistics and to inquire about transportation options early, as some schools offer bus service from specific park-and-ride locations in the metro area.
Considering Wilsonville's excellent public schools, what factors might lead a family to choose a private school with a commute?
Wilsonville's public schools are highly rated, so the decision often hinges on specific family values and needs. Factors include: seeking a religious education (e.g., Valley Catholic's faith-based environment), a desire for a single-sex learning model (St. Mary's Academy), or a particular pedagogical approach like Montessori. Some families prioritize the smaller, more intimate community of a private school or specialized programs for gifted students or those needing different learning supports. The commute to a Portland-area school is often seen as an investment in a specific community or mission-aligned education that isn't available locally, despite the quality of Wilsonville's own public offerings.