The Best Private Schools in Long Beach, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Long Beach. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary School
Catholic Schools of Southwest Washington
St. Mary School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Long Beach Peninsula community. Established in 1956, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated teachers with an average of 15+ years experience, and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. Programs include advanced STEM curriculum, comprehensive music and arts education, competitive athletics, and community service opportunities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, academic excellence, and strong community values.
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Ocean Park Elementary School
Ocean Beach School District
Ocean Park Elementary, while part of the public school district, offers exceptional private-style educational programs and serves as a premier educational option for Long Beach families. The school has earned recognition for its innovative teaching methods and outstanding student outcomes. Features include technology-integrated classrooms, specialized outdoor education programs leveraging the coastal environment, comprehensive arts curriculum, and advanced academic tracking. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular activities including robotics, marine science, and performing arts. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high due to the school's community-focused approach and academic rigor.
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Ilwaco Elementary School
Ocean Beach School District
Ilwaco Elementary School serves the broader Long Beach Peninsula community with exceptional educational programs that rival private school quality. The school is renowned for its project-based learning approach that incorporates the unique coastal environment into daily curriculum. Facilities include modern science labs, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic facilities. The school offers specialized programs in marine biology, environmental science, and technology integration. With a strong focus on individualized learning and community engagement, Ilwaco Elementary consistently receives high marks from parents for its dedicated teaching staff, innovative programs, and commitment to student success across all academic areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Long Beach, Washington
What are the private school options for K-12 education in Long Beach, Washington, and how do they differ?
In the Long Beach Peninsula area, private school options are limited and primarily serve elementary and middle school grades. The most prominent is St. Mary School in nearby Seaview, which is a Catholic school offering a faith-based education for grades Pre-K through 8. Ocean Park Elementary School and Ilwaco Elementary School, while named, are actually part of the Ocean Beach and Ilwaco public school districts, respectively. For high school, families in Long Beach, WA, typically look at boarding schools, online private academies, or commuting to private options in larger cities like Astoria, OR, or the Longview/Kelso area. This makes understanding the grade-level offerings of local private institutions a critical first step for parents.
How does tuition at St. Mary School in Long Beach, WA, compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition at St. Mary School is generally below the Washington state average for private elementary schools, reflecting the rural character of the Long Beach Peninsula. For the current academic year, tuition is approximately $4,000-$5,000 annually for parishioners and slightly higher for non-parishioners. The school actively works to keep education accessible and offers need-based financial assistance, often funded through parish support and local fundraising. Washington state does not have a voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, so aid is primarily sourced directly from the school. Parents are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the school administrator to discuss individualized tuition plans and scholarship applications.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools on the Long Beach Peninsula offer that leverage the local environment?
Private education in the Long Beach, WA, area is deeply connected to the unique coastal and natural environment. St. Mary School, for instance, incorporates local ecology and maritime studies into its science curriculum. Students often participate in beach clean-ups, study the nearby Willapa Bay estuary, and learn about the local fishing and cranberry farming industries. The small class sizes allow for frequent outdoor education and field trips to landmarks like Cape Disappointment State Park or the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. This place-based learning approach is a hallmark of education here, providing students with a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for the only major private school, St. Mary School, serving Long Beach, WA?
Given the limited seats available, planning ahead is essential. St. Mary School typically begins accepting applications for the following school year in January, with priority given to current families and registered parishioners of St. Mary Parish. Open houses are often held in the winter. The application process includes submitting forms, academic records, a family interview, and a registration fee. Admissions decisions are usually communicated by early spring. Because there are few alternatives, it is highly recommended that interested families initiate contact by November or December to ensure they receive all pertinent information and can visit the campus.
For families in Long Beach, WA, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private option like St. Mary School?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and religious affiliation. The Ocean Beach School District (public) offers a comprehensive K-12 pathway within the community, including Ilwaco High School, with broader extracurricular and advanced placement options. St. Mary School offers a small, close-knit, faith-based community with very low student-to-teacher ratios, which can be appealing for individualized attention. A major practical consideration is the continuation of education after 8th grade, as choosing St. Mary means planning for a high school transition. Many families value the strong moral foundation and community feel of the private school but must weigh it against the convenience and continuity of the tuition-free public system.
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