The Best Private Schools in Sammamish, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Sammamish. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Bear Creek School
The Bear Creek School
Located in nearby Redmond and serving Sammamish families, The Bear Creek School offers a classical Christian education from preschool through high school. The school is renowned for its rigorous academic program that integrates faith and learning, with graduates consistently gaining admission to top colleges. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, classical literature, and Socratic discussion methods. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including championship athletics and comprehensive arts programs.
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The Overlake School
The Overlake School
The Overlake School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Redmond that serves Sammamish and the greater Eastside community. Serving grades 5-12, Overlake offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on critical thinking and experiential learning. The school features an 80-acre campus with outstanding facilities including innovation labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. Overlake's program balances academic rigor with character development and community engagement, offering numerous Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, and comprehensive arts programs. The school maintains a 8:1 student-teacher ratio for personalized attention.
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Eastside Catholic School
Eastside Catholic School
Eastside Catholic School is a premier coeducational Catholic school serving grades 6-12, located directly in Sammamish. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 22 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, competitive athletics, and extensive arts opportunities. With a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, Eastside Catholic provides personalized attention and strong college counseling. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development and community service alongside academic excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Sammamish, Washington
What are the primary private school options for families living in Sammamish, Washington, and what are their educational philosophies?
Sammamish, WA, is served by several highly-regarded private schools, though many are located just outside the city limits in the broader Eastside region. The most prominent include Eastside Catholic School (in Sammamish), which is a 6-12 co-ed school with a comprehensive college-prep curriculum rooted in Catholic values. The Bear Creek School (in Redmond, serving Sammamish) is a Christian, classical education school for grades K-12, emphasizing a liberal arts tradition. The Overlake School (in Redmond) is a secular, 5-12 independent school focused on experiential learning and a strong STEM and arts curriculum. Additionally, Sammamish has smaller parochial and independent options. The proximity to Redmond and Bellevue expands choices significantly, but transportation is a key consideration for non-local schools.
How does tuition for private schools in the Sammamish, WA, area compare, and are there state-specific financial aid options?
Tuition in the Sammamish area is reflective of the high cost of living in the Puget Sound region. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $25,000 to $45,000+ for day schools, with high schools at the upper end. All major schools offer need-based financial aid; Washington State does not have a tax-credit scholarship or voucher program, so aid is primarily sourced from the schools' endowments. It's crucial to apply for aid simultaneously with admission. Some families utilize Washington's 529 Plan for future education savings, but direct state subsidies for K-12 private education are not available, making school-based aid and external scholarships critical.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Sammamish area offer that leverage the local tech and natural environment?
Sammamish-area private schools uniquely integrate the region's tech economy and Pacific Northwest landscape. Schools like The Overlake School and Eastside Catholic have robust STEM partnerships with local companies like Microsoft and Boeing, offering advanced robotics, computer science, and engineering courses. Many schools, including The Bear Creek School, emphasize environmental science with outdoor programs that utilize the nearby Cascade foothills, Lake Sammamish, and wetlands for experiential learning. Furthermore, the arts are strongly supported, with many schools offering digital media and design programs that align with the creative and technical industries prevalent on the Eastside.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools serving Sammamish, WA, and how early should parents apply?
The enrollment process for top-tier schools like Overlake, Bear Creek, and Eastside Catholic is highly structured and competitive. The timeline typically begins in early fall (September-October) with open houses. Application deadlines are usually in early to mid-January for the following academic year. This includes submitting applications, standardized test scores (like the ISEE or SSAT), teacher recommendations, transcripts, and often student interviews and visits. Notification dates are generally in mid-March. Given the competition, parents are advised to start researching schools 12-18 months in advance, especially for middle and high school entry points (grades 6 and 9), which are the most sought-after.
For families considering the excellent public schools in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD), what are the key factors for choosing a private school in Sammamish instead?
While LWSD schools like Skyline High are highly rated, families in Sammamish often choose private schools for specific reasons. Key differentiators include: smaller class sizes and more individualized attention; distinct educational philosophies (e.g., classical, faith-based, or progressive); specialized programs for learning differences or gifted education that may be more robust; and a consistent educational pathway from elementary through high school without boundary changes. Additionally, private schools can offer more flexibility in curriculum depth and unique extracurriculars. The decision often hinges on aligning a child's specific needs and a family's values with a school's mission, beyond the strong academic baseline provided by public options.
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