The Best Private Schools in Fairfield, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Fairfield. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. George's School
Independent
St. George's School is a highly regarded independent college preparatory school serving the broader Spokane region, including Fairfield. The school offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate program alongside Advanced Placement courses, providing rigorous academic preparation. With small class sizes averaging 14 students, personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships are hallmarks. The 120-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with a strong record of college placements at top universities nationwide.
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Northwest Christian Schools
Northwest Christian Schools
Northwest Christian Schools provides comprehensive Christian education from preschool through high school, serving families throughout Spokane County and surrounding areas including Fairfield. The school maintains strong academic standards with a college preparatory focus, offering Advanced Placement courses and a robust STEM program. Campus facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school community emphasizes faith integration, character development, and service learning. Parent satisfaction is high with particular praise for dedicated faculty and strong community atmosphere. Transportation options are available for students from outlying areas.
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The Oaks Classical Christian Academy
Classical Christian Education
The Oaks Classical Christian Academy offers a distinctive classical education model rooted in the Christian tradition, serving families throughout the Spokane region including Fairfield. The school employs the trivium method of learning across grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages, with integrated curriculum across subjects. Students begin Latin instruction in elementary grades and progress through a rigorous humanities and sciences program. The school emphasizes critical thinking, eloquent expression, and moral character development. Small class sizes ensure individual attention, and the close-knit community fosters strong parent-teacher partnerships. The school has earned recognition for academic excellence and strong college preparation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Fairfield, Washington
What are the primary private school options available within or very close to Fairfield, Washington, and what are their educational philosophies?
Fairfield, WA, is served by a few notable private schools, primarily faith-based institutions. St. George's School in Spokane (a reasonable commute) is a prestigious Episcopal college-preparatory day and boarding school. Closer to Fairfield, you'll find Northwest Christian Schools in Spokane Valley, offering a comprehensive Protestant Christian education from preschool through high school. Within the immediate Palouse region, The Oaks Classical Christian Academy in Spokane provides a classical, trivium-based education rooted in Christian theology. For Fairfield residents, these options require consideration of commute times to Spokane or Spokane Valley, making transportation a key factor in school choice.
How does tuition for private schools in the Fairfield, WA, area compare, and are there state-specific financial aid programs available to Washington families?
Tuition in the Fairfield/Spokane region varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range from approximately $6,000-$10,000 annually at schools like The Oaks or Northwest Christian, to over $30,000 for the upper grades at St. George's. Critically for Washington state residents, the state does not offer voucher or education savings account programs. However, all Washington private schools participate in the state's "School Choice" law, which allows them to admit students without regard to district boundaries. Financial aid is primarily offered directly by the schools through need-based grants and scholarships. Additionally, Washington has a 501(c)(3) organization, the "Washington Education Foundation," that some schools partner with for aid, and families can use tax-advantaged 529 plans for K-12 tuition expenses.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Fairfield, WA, offer that leverage the local environment or community?
Private schools in the greater Spokane/Fairfield area often integrate the Inland Northwest's natural and agricultural landscape into their programs. For instance, Northwest Christian Schools may incorporate outdoor education and environmental science projects that utilize the nearby Palouse farmland and conservation areas. The Oaks Classical Christian Academy emphasizes agrarian principles and hands-on learning that resonate with Fairfield's rural setting. St. George's School, with its extensive resources, offers robust outdoor programs, including skiing and climbing, capitalizing on proximity to mountains and lakes. Furthermore, several schools have strong connections to Washington State University in nearby Pullman and the University of Idaho in Moscow, providing opportunities for advanced STEM collaborations and college-level coursework not typically found in small public school districts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Fairfield, WA, and how competitive is admission?
The enrollment process for private schools near Fairfield generally begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year. St. George's School has a more formal and competitive admission process with deadlines often in January, requiring standardized testing (ISEE/SSAT), interviews, and teacher recommendations. Schools like Northwest Christian and The Oaks may have rolling admissions but encourage early application, especially for sought-after grades. A key consideration for Fairfield families is that many of these schools draw from a wide regional area, so securing a spot, particularly in lower grades or specialized programs, can be competitive. It's essential to contact admissions offices 12-18 months in advance, attend open houses (often held in Spokane), and inquire about transportation or carpool options for the commute.
For a family in rural Fairfield, what are the tangible differences between sending a child to the local public school versus a private school in Spokane?
The choice between Fairfield's small public school district and a private school in Spokane involves significant trade-offs. Fairfield Public Schools offer a close-knit, community-centered environment with minimal commute. In contrast, private schools in Spokane provide broader academic offerings, such as advanced placement courses, specialized arts programs, and more diverse extracurricular activities (e.g., robotics, debate, niche sports). The private school commute from Fairfield can be 45-90 minutes each way, which impacts family logistics and a child's daily schedule. However, for families seeking a specific religious foundation, a classical curriculum, or a more rigorous college-preparatory track that a small rural public school may not provide, the investment in time and tuition for a Spokane-area private school can be worthwhile. It often comes down to prioritizing community convenience versus specialized educational philosophy and resource access.
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