The Best Private Schools in Bellevue, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Bellevue. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Overlake School
Independent
The Overlake School is a highly regarded independent college preparatory school serving the Bellevue area from its Redmond campus. Established in 1967, the school offers a rigorous academic program for grades 5-12 with small class sizes and a student-teacher ratio of 9:1. The 75-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. Overlake emphasizes experiential learning, community engagement, and character development alongside strong academics in humanities, STEM, and arts. The school consistently sends graduates to top-tier universities and is known for its inclusive community and comprehensive extracurricular programs.
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Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Forest Ridge is an independent all-girls Catholic school offering International Baccalaureate programs for grades 5-12. As part of the global Network of Sacred Heart Schools, it provides a challenging academic environment focused on developing confident, compassionate leaders. The school features a beautiful 20-acre campus with modern classrooms, science and innovation labs, and athletic facilities. Forest Ridge emphasizes global citizenship through exchange programs and service learning, while offering robust STEM and arts curricula. The school is particularly noted for its strong college counseling and 100% college acceptance rate to selective institutions.
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Eastside Preparatory School
Independent
Eastside Preparatory School serves the Bellevue community from its Kirkland campus, offering innovative education for grades 5-12. Founded in 2002, the school has quickly established itself as a leader in project-based and interdisciplinary learning. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem solving across STEM, humanities, and arts. The modern campus features flexible learning spaces, technology-rich classrooms, and collaborative work areas. Eastside Prep is known for its strong college placement record and innovative approach to education that prepares students for rapidly changing global environments. The school maintains small class sizes and personalized attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Bellevue, Washington
What are the main types of private schools available in Bellevue, WA, and how do they differ?
Bellevue offers a diverse range of private schools catering to different educational philosophies. You'll find top-tier secular college-preparatory schools like The Overlake School and Eastside Preparatory School, which emphasize innovation, STEM, and humanities. There are also faith-based institutions, such as the all-girls Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (a Sacred Heart network school), and other parochial options. Additionally, Bellevue has progressive schools, Montessori programs, and schools with strong international baccalaureate (IB) tracks. The key differences lie in educational approach, student culture, religious affiliation (or lack thereof), and specific programmatic strengths, such as Eastside Prep's renowned integrated science curriculum.
How does the tuition for Bellevue private schools compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Bellevue's leading private schools is among the highest in Washington State, often reflecting the area's cost of living and the schools' extensive resources. For the 2024-25 academic year, tuition for schools like Overlake, Forest Ridge, and Eastside Prep typically ranges from $45,000 to $50,000 for upper grades. This is significantly above the state's private school average. However, these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Many have substantial endowments dedicated to aid, and it's common for 20-30% of the student body to receive assistance. Parents should apply for aid simultaneously with admissions, using tools like the Clarity Application, and should never assume their income disqualifies them.
What is the typical admissions timeline and process for competitive private high schools in Bellevue, like Overlake or Eastside Prep?
The process for Bellevue's most sought-after private schools is highly structured and begins over a year before enrollment. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in the fall), submitting an application by early January (including essays, teacher recommendations, and school records), and completing student interviews and visits in January or February. Standardized testing (like the SSAT or ISEE) is usually required. Admissions decisions are released in mid-March. Given the competitiveness, it's crucial to start research and school visits in the spring or summer prior to applying. Many families also apply to multiple schools within the Bellevue/Seattle metro area to keep options open.
How do private schools in Bellevue leverage the local tech industry in their academic and extracurricular programs?
Located in the heart of the Eastside tech corridor, Bellevue private schools have unique partnerships and programmatic ties to companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and a vibrant startup scene. This manifests in several ways: robust STEM and computer science curricula often taught by professionals with industry experience; mentorship and internship opportunities for high school students; regular guest speakers from tech leaders; and a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation in project-based learning. Schools like Overlake and Eastside Prep have state-of-the-art makerspaces and labs, and their capstone projects frequently involve solving real-world problems posed by local tech firms, giving students unparalleled practical experience.
For families moving to the area, how do the academic and social environments of top Bellevue private schools compare to the highly-rated Bellevue Public School District?
This is a key consideration. The Bellevue School District is consistently ranked among the best public districts in Washington, known for strong academics, especially in STEM. Choosing a private school in Bellevue often comes down to seeking a different educational approach or specific community. Private schools offer smaller class sizes (often 12-16 students vs. 25-30+ in public), more individualized attention, and distinct mission-driven cultures (e.g., all-girls education at Forest Ridge). They may also provide more flexibility in curriculum depth and innovative teaching methods without state-mandated testing constraints. However, the public schools offer extensive Advanced Placement (AP) programs, large-scale athletics, and diverse extracurriculars. The decision frequently hinges on a family's preference for a tailored, close-knit community versus the breadth and scale of a top-tier public system.
Private Education Insights
Top Bellevue Prep Schools: Finding the Best Private Education Near You
For families in Bellevue, the search for the right educational environment often leads to exploring the exceptional private preparatory schools in our community. When you type “prep schools near me” into a search engine, you’re not just looking for a list; you’re seeking a partner in your child’s development, a place that aligns with your family’s values and your student’s unique potential. Here in Bellevue, we are fortunate to have a concentration of nationally recognized institutions, each offering a distinct approach to rigorous college preparation within our unique Pacific Northwest context.
The local landscape is defined by schools that emphasize innovation, character, and global awareness. Eastside Preparatory School, for instance, embodies the Eastside’s tech-forward ethos with its inquiry-based, interdisciplinary curriculum designed to cultivate critical thinkers. Not far away, The Overlake School balances its strong academic program with a deep commitment to its 75-acre rural campus, offering a surprising blend of top-tier STEM and humanities programs with an emphasis on outdoor education and community service. Meanwhile, Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart provides a all-girls environment grounded in the Sacred Heart goals, focusing on intellectual growth, faith, and social responsibility, preparing young women to lead with confidence. These schools represent the diversity of models available right here, meaning your search for “prep schools near me” can be highly tailored.
Choosing between these outstanding options requires a local lens. Consider the daily rhythm of life on the Eastside. Traffic patterns around I-405 and the 520 bridge can significantly impact commute times to even nearby campuses, making a school’s location and start time a practical family consideration. Furthermore, the culture of these schools often reflects the broader Bellevue community: they are competitive in the best sense, fostering ambition and high achievement, but also increasingly focused on student wellness and balance. When visiting, ask about how the school mitigates academic pressure and supports mental health, a priority for many Puget Sound families. Also, explore the extracurricular connections. Does the school leverage our region’s natural assets with robust outdoor programs? Does it have partnerships with local tech firms or arts organizations that provide unique enrichment opportunities?
Your research should move beyond the website. The most valuable step after searching “prep schools near me” is to experience the schools firsthand. Attend open houses, which are often held in the fall. This allows you to feel the community vibe—is it collaborative or intensely individualistic? Speak to current parents at drop-off or at local cafes in Crossroads or downtown Bellevue; their lived experience is invaluable. Remember, you are not just choosing an academic program for the next several years; you are choosing a community for your family. In Bellevue, the investment in a preparatory school education is significant, but the return is seen in the network, the values, and the unparalleled readiness for university and life that these local institutions provide. Your ideal partner in education is likely just a short drive away, waiting to be discovered through more than just a search query.
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