The Best Private Schools in Kelso, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kelso. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Three Rivers Christian School
Three Rivers Christian School
Three Rivers Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving the Kelso-Longview area with comprehensive K-12 education. The school emphasizes academic excellence through rigorous college preparatory curriculum while integrating Christian values throughout all programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic fields, and dedicated arts spaces. The school offers robust extracurricular programs including competitive sports teams, music and drama productions, and community service opportunities. Parent satisfaction is consistently high due to small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong student outcomes.
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St. Rose Catholic School
Catholic Schools of Southwest Washington
St. Rose Catholic School has been serving the Kelso-Longview community for over seven decades with exceptional private Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade. The school maintains strong academic standards with specialized programs in advanced mathematics and comprehensive language arts. Facilities include a modern campus with technology-integrated classrooms, science lab, library, and gymnasium. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere, dedicated certified teachers, and well-rounded education that includes music, art, and religious formation. High parent satisfaction stems from the school's commitment to individual student development and strong moral foundation.
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St. Joseph Catholic School
Catholic Schools of Southwest Washington
St. Joseph Catholic School in Vancouver serves families throughout Southwest Washington, including the Kelso area, with an outstanding classical education program from preschool through 8th grade. The school features a rigorous academic curriculum enhanced by specialized STEM programs and comprehensive performing arts. Facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, science laboratories, music rooms, and extensive athletic facilities. The school is particularly noted for its strong parent community, experienced faculty, and excellent student preparation for high school. Many families commute from Kelso for the school's reputation for academic excellence and character development within a faith-based environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kelso, Washington
What are the main private school options available for families in Kelso, Washington, and what are their core educational approaches?
Kelso, WA, offers a few established private school options, primarily with religious affiliations. The top choices include Three Rivers Christian School (Pre-K through 12th grade), which provides a Protestant Christian education with a college-prep focus. St. Rose Catholic School serves students from Preschool through 8th grade, and St. Joseph Catholic School in nearby Longview (serving the broader Kelso-Longview area) offers Pre-K through 8th grade. These schools emphasize faith-based learning, character development, and generally smaller class sizes than the public district. For non-religious private options, families in Kelso often look at schools in the greater Vancouver, WA, or Portland, OR, metro areas.
How does tuition at Kelso's private schools compare, and are there any Washington state-specific programs to help with costs?
Tuition in Kelso's private schools varies. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges around $6,000-$9,000 annually for elementary grades at the Catholic schools, with multi-child discounts. Three Rivers Christian School's tuition is typically higher, often exceeding $10,000 for secondary grades, reflecting its K-12 structure. Critically for Washington residents, the state does **not** have a tax-credit scholarship or voucher program. However, all these schools offer need-based financial aid, and families can utilize Washington's "School Choice" law, which allows students in failing public schools to transfer, though this doesn't provide direct funding. Additionally, Washington's "Auburn" or "Scholarship" tax credits do not exist; funding primarily comes from tuition, parish subsidies (for Catholic schools), and donations.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Kelso area offer that leverage the local community or environment?
Kelso-area private schools integrate the local environment and community into their programs. Three Rivers Christian School, for instance, may leverage its proximity to the Cowlitz River and Mount St. Helens for science and outdoor education projects. St. Rose and St. Joseph Catholic schools often emphasize community service projects tied to local parishes and organizations like St. Vincent de Paul. While not having the vast array of public school CTE programs, these private schools often provide strong foundational academics, music, and art, with some offering unique electives or clubs focused on local history, agriculture, or environmental stewardship specific to Southwest Washington.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Kelso, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Kelso's private schools usually begins in January or February for the following fall. St. Rose and St. Joseph Catholic schools often give priority to parish members and siblings of current students, with open enrollment for the community thereafter. Three Rivers Christian School typically has an application period in early winter. All require application forms, student records, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview or student assessment. Due to their smaller sizes, popular grades (especially kindergarten and early elementary) can have waitlists, so applying early is strongly advised. It's recommended to contact the schools directly by November or December to attend open houses and get precise dates.
For a family considering both Kelso School District public schools and local private options, what are the key decision factors specific to this area?
In Kelso, key factors include class size, educational philosophy, and cost. Kelso public schools (like Kelso High School) offer a wider range of advanced placement (AP) courses, sports, and specialized programs due to larger scale and public funding. Private options offer smaller, faith-based environments with consistent values throughout the curriculum. A practical local consideration is commute: Kelso's private schools are centrally located, but some families may choose St. Joseph in neighboring Longview. Academically, private schools here often show strong standardized test scores and a focus on college preparation. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether a family prioritizes the comprehensive offerings and no-tuition cost of public schools or the specific religious community and personalized attention of Kelso's private institutions.
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