The Best Private Schools in Kennewick, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kennewick. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Tri-Cities Prep
Jesuit Schools Network
Tri-Cities Prep is a highly-regarded Jesuit college preparatory school serving the entire Tri-Cities area including Kennewick. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 100% college acceptance rate for graduates. Features include small class sizes (average 15:1 student-teacher ratio), comprehensive Advanced Placement curriculum, and strong emphasis on character development. The campus features modern science labs, technology integration, and competitive athletic programs. Parents consistently praise the school's academic excellence and supportive community environment.
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Liberty Christian School
Independent Christian School
Liberty Christian School serves students from Kennewick and throughout the Tri-Cities region with a comprehensive K-12 Christian education program. The school features a strong college preparatory curriculum with dual credit opportunities through local colleges, advanced STEM programs, and comprehensive fine arts offerings. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes both academic excellence and spiritual development, with high parent satisfaction ratings for teacher quality and community atmosphere.
Programs:
Southridge High School (Private Programs)
Kennewick School District (Specialized Programs)
While primarily a public school, Southridge High School offers private-school caliber programs that serve Kennewick families seeking advanced educational opportunities. The school features a prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, comprehensive STEM Academy, and extensive Advanced Placement course offerings. The modern campus includes state-of-the-art science labs, technology centers, and athletic facilities. The IB program in particular attracts students from across the region seeking rigorous college preparatory education with international recognition, consistently earning high marks for academic quality and student outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kennewick, Washington
What are the primary private school options available for families in Kennewick, Washington, and what are their educational approaches?
Kennewick offers a few distinct private school options, each with a different focus. **Tri-Cities Prep** is a private, Catholic, college-preparatory school for grades 6-12, known for its rigorous academics and classical education model. **Liberty Christian School** provides a Protestant Christian education from preschool through 12th grade, integrating faith across its curriculum. While **Southridge High School** is a public school, its mention often refers to specialized private programs or academies in the broader Tri-Cities area that may be accessible, such as STEM-focused offerings. For strictly private options within Kennewick, Tri-Cities Prep and Liberty Christian are the mainstays, catering to different religious and pedagogical preferences.
How does tuition for private schools in Kennewick, WA, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Kennewick's private schools is generally competitive and often below the average for major metropolitan areas in Washington like Seattle. For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition at schools like Tri-Cities Prep and Liberty Christian typically ranges from approximately $8,000 to $12,000 annually for core grades. Both schools offer need-based financial aid, and families are encouraged to apply early. Additionally, Washington state does not have a private school voucher program, but the **State of Washington's Education Savings Account program for students with special needs** can be used at approved private schools. Many schools also offer multi-child discounts and flexible payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Kennewick private schools offer that leverage the local Tri-Cities environment?
Private schools in Kennewick capitalize on the Tri-Cities' strong science and technology sector. **Tri-Cities Prep**, for instance, emphasizes advanced STEM courses and has partnerships with local entities like the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Washington State University Tri-Cities, offering unique research and internship opportunities for high school students. **Liberty Christian School** often integrates agricultural science and environmental studies, reflecting the region's farming and viticulture industries, and may participate in local science fairs and robotics competitions that are prominent in the area. This local connectivity provides students with practical, real-world learning experiences.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Kennewick, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Kennewick private schools usually begins in the winter for the following fall semester, with open houses held between January and March. Application deadlines are often in early spring (March/April), but rolling admissions may continue if spaces remain. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and for some, a student assessment. Due to limited capacity, especially in popular grades, **waitlists are common at both Tri-Cities Prep and Liberty Christian**. It is highly advisable for parents to initiate inquiries a full year in advance and attend fall open houses to secure a spot.
For families considering both sectors, what are the key differences between private and public schools in Kennewick, Washington?
The key differences in Kennewick center on class size, curriculum flexibility, and specialization. Kennewick's public schools (Kennewick School District) are larger, offer extensive elective choices, and have robust athletic programs. Private schools like Tri-Cities Prep and Liberty Christian offer much smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students), a more unified disciplinary and values-based environment, and a focused college-prep or faith-based curriculum. Public schools are tuition-free and provide mandated special education services, while private schools charge tuition and may have more limited resources for specialized learning needs, though they can offer more individualized attention. The choice often hinges on a family's priority for religious integration, specific academic rigor, and personalized learning environment versus the breadth of programs and no-cost model of public schools.
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