The Best Private Schools in Easton, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Easton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ellensburg Christian School
Independent Christian School
Ellensburg Christian School serves students from Easton and throughout Kittitas County with a comprehensive K-12 program. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a Christian worldview, offering small class sizes and individualized attention. Their college preparatory curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and competitive athletics. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic fields. The school maintains strong parent satisfaction through community involvement and consistently high college acceptance rates for graduates.
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St. Joseph-Marquette Catholic School
Catholic Schools of Yakima
Serving families from Easton and the broader Yakima Valley region, St. Joseph-Marquette provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations. The school offers a rigorous curriculum that includes advanced mathematics and comprehensive language arts programs. Their music and arts programs are particularly noted for excellence. With modern facilities including technology-integrated classrooms and dedicated worship spaces, the school maintains small class sizes and high teacher retention. Parent reviews consistently praise the supportive community and academic preparation.
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Yakima Adventist Christian School
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Yakima Adventist Christian School serves Easton area families with a distinctive educational approach that combines academic rigor with character development. The school features project-based learning methodologies and strong technology integration across all grade levels. Their outdoor education program takes advantage of the nearby Cascade Mountains for experiential learning. The campus includes modern classrooms, science laboratories, and extensive outdoor recreation areas. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's nurturing environment and the strong sense of community among families.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Easton, Washington
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Easton, Washington?
Easton itself is a very small community, so families typically look to nearby cities for private education. The most accessible and notable options include St. Joseph-Marquette Catholic School in Yakima (approx. 45-minute drive), Yakima Adventist Christian School in Yakima, and Ellensburg Christian School in Ellensburg (approx. 30-minute drive). These schools represent the primary faith-based private options within a commutable distance from Easton. There are no private schools physically located within the town of Easton, so planning for transportation is a key consideration.
How does the tuition at private schools near Easton, WA, compare to state averages, and are there any Washington-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the schools serving Easton families is generally below the state average for private schools, reflecting the region's cost of living. For the 2023-2024 school year, tuition at these schools typically ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 annually for elementary grades. Washington State offers the "Washington Opportunity Scholarship" for eligible students pursuing STEM or health care degrees, which can be a future benefit. More immediately, many local schools offer parish subsidies (for Catholic schools), multi-child discounts, and need-based financial aid. Importantly, Washington does not have a statewide voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, so most aid is directly from the schools or external scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Easton offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools in the Kittitas and Yakima counties often integrate the unique Central Washington environment into their programs. For example, Ellensburg Christian School may incorporate agricultural science or local geology studies tied to the Columbia River Basin. St. Joseph-Marquette, being in Yakima, might have strong Spanish language programs reflecting the community and offer outdoor education trips that could include the nearby Cascade Mountains. Yakima Adventist Christian School often emphasizes a strong science curriculum. All these schools typically offer smaller class sizes than Easton's public options, allowing for more individualized attention, which is a significant draw for rural families.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Easton, WA, families?
Given the limited seats in these small schools, planning ahead is crucial. The primary enrollment period typically opens in January or February for the following fall. The process usually involves an application form, submission of past academic records, a family interview, and often a placement assessment for the student. For families in Easton, it's highly recommended to initiate contact with schools like Ellensburg Christian or St. Joseph-Marquette by the prior November to schedule a tour and understand specific requirements. Many of these schools have rolling admissions after the priority deadline, but popular grades fill quickly. Sibling and parish member (for Catholic schools) applications often receive priority.
For an Easton resident, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district (likely Cle Elum-Roslyn) and a private school a commute away?
The decision hinges on several Easton-specific factors. The Cle Elum-Roslyn School District serves Easton and provides a community-centered, no-tuition option without a significant commute. Choosing a private school in Yakima or Ellensburg means committing to a 30-60 minute daily drive each way, which impacts family logistics and costs. In return, private schools offer a specific religious or value-based education, often with smaller, multi-grade classrooms that can be beneficial in a rural setting. Academically, it's important to compare specific program offerings, such as special education services or advanced coursework, which may be more limited in both the small public district and the small private schools. The social and community aspect is also different, as a private school commute means your child's peer group will be less geographically concentrated in your immediate town.
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