The Best Private Schools in Pullman, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Pullman. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. George's School
Independent College Preparatory School
St. George's School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school located in Spokane that serves families throughout Eastern Washington, including Pullman area residents. The school offers a rigorous academic program with both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate options. With exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a 100% college acceptance rate, St. George's provides comprehensive educational opportunities including competitive athletics, extensive arts programs, and global education initiatives. The school's boarding program and transportation options make it accessible to students from Pullman seeking a top-tier private education.
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All Saints Lutheran School
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
All Saints Lutheran School in Spokane serves families throughout Eastern Washington, including those from Pullman seeking quality private education. The school offers a comprehensive preschool through 8th grade program with a strong academic foundation rooted in Lutheran values. Their curriculum emphasizes literacy, mathematics, science, and technology while incorporating music, art, and physical education. The school features small class sizes, experienced faculty, and modern learning facilities. All Saints provides a nurturing environment focused on character development and academic achievement, with many graduates successfully transitioning to top regional high schools.
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Pullman Christian School
Independent Christian School
Pullman Christian School is a well-established private Christian school serving the Pullman community with a comprehensive K-8 education program. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, offering small class sizes and individualized attention. Their curriculum includes strong STEM components, language arts, and biblical integration across all subjects. The school features modern facilities, dedicated teachers, and a strong sense of community. Extracurricular activities include music programs, sports, and community service opportunities, providing a well-rounded educational experience for students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Pullman, Washington
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Pullman, WA, and what are their educational approaches?
Pullman, WA, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a specific focus. The Pullman Christian School provides a Protestant Christian education integrating faith with a standard academic curriculum for grades K-12. St. George's School is an independent, secular college-preparatory school known for its rigorous academics and small class sizes, serving grades 6-12. All Saints Lutheran School offers a Lutheran Christian education for preschool through 8th grade, emphasizing a nurturing community environment. Given the limited number of schools, it's important for parents to align their choice with their family's religious, pedagogical, and logistical preferences early in the search process.
How does tuition at Pullman's private schools compare, and are there any Washington state-specific financial aid programs available to families?
Tuition in Pullman varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Pullman Christian School's tuition ranges approximately from $6,000 to $8,000, while St. George's School, as a secular college-prep institution, has a higher tuition, typically between $12,000 and $15,000. All Saints Lutheran School is generally on the lower end for its elementary and middle grades. Washington state offers the "Washington Opportunity Scholarship" for eligible college-bound students, but for K-12, aid is primarily school-based. Crucially, Washington does not have a tax-credit scholarship or voucher program, so financial assistance depends on individual school scholarships, grants, and payment plans. All schools in Pullman have financial aid applications and encourage families to apply regardless of perceived need.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Pullman, WA, offer that leverage the local university community?
Private schools in Pullman uniquely benefit from proximity to Washington State University (WSU). St. George's School, in particular, has established partnerships allowing qualified high school students to take courses at WSU for dual credit, providing a significant head start on college. Science and agriculture programs at local schools often utilize WSU's facilities and expertise for special projects or lectures. Furthermore, the university community provides access to cultural events, athletic facilities, and potential mentors, enriching the student experience beyond the standard curriculum. This symbiotic relationship with a major research university is a distinctive advantage of a Pullman private education.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Pullman, and how competitive is admission?
The enrollment timeline for Pullman private schools generally begins in the fall or winter prior to the desired school year, with application deadlines typically between January and March. St. George's School, due to its reputation and smaller size, often has a more competitive process involving student essays, interviews, and teacher recommendations, with notifications in March. Pullman Christian School and All Saints Lutheran School have rolling admissions but encourage early application as spaces, particularly in specific grades, can fill quickly. Given Pullman's size and limited options, it is highly advisable to attend open houses (often held in the fall), submit applications well before deadlines, and inquire about waitlist procedures.
For families considering both, what are the key differences between the Pullman Public School District and the private school options in Pullman, WA?
The key differences lie in class size, curriculum focus, and community environment. The Pullman Public School District offers a comprehensive, tuition-free education with diverse programs, larger class sizes, and extensive extracurriculars across multiple schools. In contrast, private schools like St. George's or Pullman Christian offer much smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), allowing for highly individualized attention. The private schools provide specific value-based education (secular college-prep or faith-based) that is not offered in the public system. Transportation is another factor; public schools provide busing, while private schools in Pullman typically require parent-provided transportation. The decision often hinges on a family's priority for specialized instruction, religious education, and the learning environment versus the cost and broader resources of the public system.