The Best Private Schools in Snohomish, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Snohomish. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Michael's Catholic School
Archdiocese of Seattle
St. Michael's Catholic School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving preschool through 8th grade students in the Snohomish community. The school emphasizes faith-based education combined with strong academic foundations, featuring small class sizes and dedicated faculty. Their comprehensive curriculum includes advanced mathematics, science labs, Spanish language instruction, and robust arts programs. The school campus features modern classrooms, a dedicated science lab, music room, and extensive playground facilities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, strong community values, and excellent academic preparation for high school.
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The Goddard School of Snohomish
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Snohomish is a premier early childhood education center serving children from six weeks to six years old. Operating under the nationally recognized Goddard Systems network, this school offers a comprehensive STEAM-focused curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through age-appropriate, play-based learning. The facility features secure, modern classrooms, dedicated playgrounds for different age groups, and advanced security systems. The school is particularly noted for its highly qualified teachers, innovative learning approaches, and strong parent communication systems that have earned exceptional satisfaction ratings from local families.
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Archbishop Murphy High School
Archdiocese of Seattle
Located just minutes from Snohomish in nearby Everett, Archbishop Murphy High School serves as the primary Catholic high school for the Snohomish area community. This comprehensive college preparatory school offers rigorous academic programs including Advanced Placement courses, a specialized STEM Academy, and extensive fine arts offerings. The 40-acre campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, athletic facilities, and modern technology integration throughout. With strong college acceptance rates and championship athletic programs, the school has built an outstanding reputation for developing well-rounded students prepared for higher education and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Snohomish, Washington
What are the primary types of private school options available for families in Snohomish, Washington?
Snohomish offers a focused selection of private schools catering to different educational philosophies and age groups. You'll find faith-based institutions like St. Michael's Catholic School (Pre-K through 8) and Archbishop Murphy High School (9-12), which provide a college-preparatory education within a Catholic framework. For early childhood education, there are nationally accredited preschools like The Goddard School of Snohomish. While the immediate city has a few core options, many Snohomish families also consider private schools in nearby Everett, Mill Creek, or the broader Puget Sound region, which offer Montessori, independent, and other specialized programs within a reasonable commute.
How does tuition for private schools in Snohomish, WA, compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition in Snohomish is generally competitive with or slightly below the average for private schools in the Puget Sound region. For the 2024-2025 academic year, elementary tuition at St. Michael's is approximately $8,000-$10,000, while Archbishop Murphy High School tuition is around $18,000. These figures are often lower than comparable schools in Seattle or Bellevue. Critically, Washington state does not have a private school voucher program, but all Snohomish-area private schools offer need-based financial aid and scholarships. Additionally, many families utilize the state's "School Choice" credit for certain extracurricular expenses, and some schools participate in tuition payment plans to ease the financial burden.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Snohomish area?
Snohomish private schools leverage their smaller size and specific missions to offer distinctive programs. Archbishop Murphy High School is notable for its strong STEM pathways and competitive athletic programs in the Emerald Sound Conference. St. Michael's Catholic School emphasizes its community-oriented, faith-integrated curriculum and often has specialty classes in Spanish and music. The private schools here also take advantage of the local environment; it's common for outdoor education and environmental science programs to incorporate the nearby Snohomish River Valley, Cascade foothills, and local farms into their curricula, providing a unique, place-based learning experience.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Snohomish, WA?
The enrollment process in Snohomish typically begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year. Archbishop Murphy High School hosts open houses in the fall and has an application deadline often in January or February. St. Michael's and The Goddard School may have rolling admissions but prioritize re-enrollment of current families, so contacting them by January is advisable. A key local consideration is that these schools do not follow the Snohomish School District's lottery or boundary system; admission is based on application, student assessments/interviews, and, for faith-based schools, alignment with the religious mission. Sibling and parish member (for Catholic schools) priority is common.
For families considering both, what are some key differences between the Snohomish School District public schools and local private options?
The decision often centers on class size, educational approach, and specific programs. Snohomish public schools, like Glacier Peak High School, offer extensive elective choices, advanced placement (AP) courses, and large-scale athletic and arts programs due to their size. In contrast, private schools like those in Snohomish provide smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students), a consistent, values-based environment (particularly in faith-based schools), and a focused college-prep curriculum without the need for lottery-based choice programs. A practical local difference is transportation; Snohomish School District provides busing, while private schools usually require parent-provided transportation, which is a significant consideration given Snohomish's suburban and rural layouts.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Fit: A Guide to Private Special Education Schools in Snohomish County
As a parent in Snohomish, Washington, searching for the right educational environment for a child with unique learning needs can feel both urgent and overwhelming. You might be typing “private special education schools near me” into your search engine, hoping to find a supportive, specialized community close to home. While Snohomish itself is home to several excellent private schools like St. Michael’s Catholic School, The Goddard School of Snohomish, and Archbishop Murphy High School, it’s important to understand that these institutions typically serve general education populations. Your journey will likely involve looking at specialized programs within broader private schools or dedicated special education schools in the wider Puget Sound region, with Snohomish as your caring and connected home base.
The first, and most crucial, step is to move beyond the generic search and focus on your child’s specific profile. Needs can range from dyslexia and ADHD to more complex developmental or speech-language challenges. In Washington State, private schools that specialize in learning differences are often termed “private schools approved for special education.” These schools can contract with your local public school district, which is a key piece of local context. Snohomish is part of the Snohomish School District, and understanding the possibility of an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) is vital. An ISP can allow district funding to follow your child to an approved private school if it’s determined the public school cannot adequately meet their needs. Initiating a conversation with the Snohomish School District’s special services department is a practical and necessary starting point.
While you may not find a dedicated private special education school within Snohomish city limits, your search in the surrounding areas is promising. Many families in our community look towards Everett, Mill Creek, Bothell, and even the northern Seattle neighborhoods. Schools like the Sorenson’s Ranch School for dyslexia or the Academy for Precision Learning in Seattle are examples of the types of specialized institutions within a reasonable commute. The decision then involves weighing the profound benefits of a tailored, therapeutic learning environment against the reality of daily travel. For some families, a better local solution might be found in the learning support programs offered by some traditional private schools. It’s worth inquiring at schools like Archbishop Murphy High School about the scope of their student support services, as some may offer robust accommodations and resource rooms for mild to moderate learning differences.
Ultimately, your search for “private special education schools near me” from Snohomish is a blend of advocacy, research, and community networking. Connect with other local parents through Snohomish County support groups for children with special needs; their firsthand experiences are invaluable. Visit potential schools, observe the classrooms, and ask detailed questions about student-to-teacher ratios, therapeutic integration, and curriculum flexibility. Remember, the right fit is a place where your child will be understood and challenged appropriately. The beautiful, close-knit community of Snohomish can remain your family’s anchor, providing a supportive hometown while you access the specialized educational resources that the broader region has to offer. Your proactive search is the first step toward finding a school where your child can truly thrive.
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