The Best Private Schools in North Bend, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in North Bend. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mount Si Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Mount Si Christian Academy is a highly-regarded private Christian school located directly in North Bend. The school serves students from preschool through 8th grade with a comprehensive academic program integrated with Christian values. The school features small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a strong sense of community. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and outdoor play areas. The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence while incorporating biblical principles, with strong programs in mathematics, language arts, and sciences. Extracurricular offerings include music, art, sports, and various clubs that enrich the student experience.
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Eastside Catholic School
Independent Catholic School
Eastside Catholic School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school located in nearby Sammamish, serving families throughout the greater Eastside region including North Bend. The school offers a rigorous academic program for grades 6-12 with exceptional college placement rates. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, athletic complexes, and modern classroom technology. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement, with extensive extracurricular opportunities including championship athletic programs, award-winning arts departments, and comprehensive service learning programs. Eastside Catholic consistently ranks among the top private schools in Washington state.
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The Overlake School
Independent College Preparatory School
The Overlake School is an acclaimed independent college preparatory school located in Redmond, serving students from North Bend and throughout the Eastside region. The school serves grades 5-12 with a challenging academic curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. Overlake features exceptional facilities including a new STEM building, extensive athletic facilities, art studios, and a 75-acre campus with outdoor education spaces. The school offers a balanced approach to education with strong arts, athletics, and community service programs. Known for its inclusive community and dedicated faculty, Overlake prepares students for top colleges while fostering personal growth and leadership skills.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in North Bend, Washington
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in North Bend, WA, and what are their key characteristics?
While North Bend itself has a limited number of private schools, families commonly consider nearby institutions in the broader Snoqualmie Valley and Eastside region. The primary local option is **Mount Si Christian Academy** in North Bend, offering a K-8 Christian education. For high school, families often look to schools like **Eastside Catholic School** (located in Sammamish, about a 30-minute commute) which offers a 6-12 college-preparatory program with a Catholic identity, and **The Overlake School** (in Redmond, about a 35-minute commute), a prestigious secular independent school for grades 5-12 known for its strong academics and technology focus. The availability of these options means North Bend parents must factor in commuting logistics.
How does tuition for private schools serving North Bend, WA, compare, and are there any Washington-state specific financial aid programs?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and grade level. For the 2024-25 academic year, Mount Si Christian Academy's tuition is approximately $8,000-$10,000, making it a more accessible private option. Eastside Catholic and The Overlake School have tuitions ranging from $40,000 to $50,000+. A critical Washington-state specific consideration is the **Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS)**, which supports middle-income families pursuing eligible high-demand majors, and some private high school students may later qualify. All these schools offer their own need-based financial aid. Additionally, Washington does not have a private school voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, so aid is primarily sourced directly from the institutions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from North Bend, WA, that leverage the local environment?
Schools in this region often integrate the unique Pacific Northwest landscape into their programs. **Mount Si Christian Academy** utilizes its proximity to the Cascade foothills for outdoor education and environmental science. **Eastside Catholic** has robust outdoor leadership and sustainability initiatives, with easy access to hiking and alpine activities. **The Overlake School** emphasizes STEM and has programs that can connect to the local tech corridor in Redmond and Bellevue, while also offering extensive outdoor sports and arts programs. The setting near the Snoqualmie River and Mount Si provides a distinctive backdrop for experiential learning, outdoor clubs, and environmental stewardship projects not as easily replicated in urban settings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools that North Bend, WA, families apply to, and how competitive is admission?
The timeline is standardized across most top private schools in the area. The process typically begins in early fall (September-October) with open houses, followed by application deadlines in January for the following academic year. Admission decisions are released in March. For **The Overlake School** and **Eastside Catholic**, admission is highly competitive, with acceptance rates often below 25-30%. They require standardized testing (like the ISEE or SSAT), student interviews, essays, and teacher recommendations. **Mount Si Christian Academy** has a more straightforward process with possible rolling admission based on space availability. North Bend families must plan for this timeline, especially if considering schools with a commute, as transportation planning is part of the decision.
For a family living in North Bend, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public Snoqualmie Valley School District to the available private school options?
Key considerations include educational philosophy, class size, and commute. The **Snoqualmie Valley School District** (which includes North Bend) is highly rated, with new facilities like Mount Si High School, and offers a robust, tuition-free education with diverse AP courses and athletics. Private options offer smaller class sizes, specific religious or pedagogical approaches (like Christian integration at Mount Si Christian), or a highly rigorous college-prep focus (Overlake, Eastside Catholic). The major trade-off is cost and commute. Attending a local public school eliminates a significant daily drive to Sammamish or Redmond, which can impact family time and extracurricular participation. The decision often hinges on whether a family seeks a specific educational environment not provided by the strong local public system.
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