The Best Private Schools in Kingston, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kingston. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Crosspoint Academy
Crosspoint Academy
Crosspoint Academy is a highly-regarded Christian private school serving the North Kitsap area including Kingston. Founded in 1981, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes academic excellence with small class sizes, advanced placement courses, and comprehensive STEM programs. Extracurricular offerings include competitive athletics, music programs, drama productions, and community service opportunities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, and strong sense of community.
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The Island School
The Island School
The Island School is a respected independent elementary school serving Bainbridge Island and surrounding communities including Kingston. Founded in 1986, the school provides education for preschool through 5th grade with a focus on hands-on, experiential learning. The campus features outdoor classrooms, gardens, and natural play areas that complement their environmental science curriculum. Academic programs emphasize literacy, mathematics, and social studies through project-based learning and arts integration. The school maintains small class sizes with low student-teacher ratios and offers extensive enrichment programs including music, Spanish, and physical education. Parents frequently highlight the school's warm community atmosphere and innovative approach to elementary education.
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St. Cecilia Catholic School
Archdiocese of Seattle
St. Cecilia Catholic School is a well-established parochial school serving Bainbridge Island and the greater Kitsap region including Kingston families. Founded in 1951, the school provides education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong foundation in Catholic values and academic excellence. The curriculum includes comprehensive language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies programs supplemented by religious education, Spanish, music, art, and physical education. The school features updated classrooms, a library, computer lab, and outdoor play areas. Parents appreciate the school's strong community spirit, dedicated teachers, and the smooth transition students make to local high schools. The school maintains active parent involvement and offers various extracurricular activities and service opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kingston, Washington
What are the primary private school options available for families living in Kingston, Washington, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Kingston, WA, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a unique approach. **Crosspoint Academy** (Bremerton) is a non-denominational Christian school serving grades K-12, emphasizing college-prep academics integrated with faith. **The Island School** (Bainbridge Island) is an independent, secular school for grades PK-8, known for its project-based learning, environmental stewardship, and social-emotional curriculum. **St. Cecilia Catholic School** (Bainbridge Island) provides a faith-based, traditional academic environment for grades K-8. Due to Kingston's smaller size, many families consider these schools on nearby Bainbridge Island or in Bremerton, factoring in the commute via the Kingston ferry or around the Sound.
How does the cost of private school tuition in the Kingston, WA, area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools serving Kingston families is generally above the Washington state average, influenced by the higher cost of living in the Puget Sound region. For the 2024-25 school year, expect ranges of approximately $8,000-$12,000 for elementary grades and $12,000-$16,000 for high school. All major schools offer need-based financial aid, and Washington state residents may also apply for the **Washington State Opportunity Scholarship** for private high schools. Additionally, Washington does not have a tax-credit scholarship program, but some schools, like Crosspoint Academy, have robust internal scholarship funds supported by their communities.
Are there unique academic or extracurricular programs offered by private schools accessible to Kingston students that leverage the local environment?
Yes, the natural setting of the Kitsap Peninsula heavily influences program offerings. **The Island School** has a renowned "IslandWood" connection, utilizing outdoor education and local ecosystems as a core part of its science and humanities curriculum. **Crosspoint Academy** offers marine biology and environmental science courses that take advantage of the nearby Puget Sound for fieldwork. Many schools also integrate ferry commute logistics into their after-school activity planning, offering later bus services or flexible schedules for students traveling from Kingston to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Kingston area, and how important is early application?
The enrollment cycle for Kingston-area private schools typically begins in the fall (October-November) for the following academic year, with application deadlines between January and February. Due to limited seats, especially in popular lower grades and at The Island School, early application is strongly advised. A unique consideration for Kingston families is the "geographic priority" or waitlist status given to in-district or on-island applicants at some schools. The process usually includes an application, student assessment/visit, parent interview, and records review. It's crucial to contact schools directly to understand how residency on the Kingston side of the ferry route affects admission priorities.
For families in Kingston, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public school (North Kitsap School District) and a private school option?
The decision often hinges on commute, educational approach, and class size. Kingston's public school, **Kingston Middle School** and **Kingston High School**, offer robust programs, newer facilities, and no tuition. Choosing a private school often involves a significant daily commute via ferry or a long drive, adding time and cost. In return, private options offer smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25-30+), specialized religious or pedagogical philosophies (e.g., project-based or faith-integrated learning), and potentially a different peer community. Families should also consider extracurricular accessibility, as after-school activities at off-peninsula private schools can be challenging for students reliant on ferry schedules.
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