The Best Private Schools in Valley, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Valley. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Oaks Academy
Classical Christian Education
The Oaks Academy offers a distinctive classical Christian education model that serves families throughout the Spokane Valley region. The school's integrated curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, classical languages, and arts education within a Christian worldview. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and the school maintains exceptional academic outcomes with graduates consistently testing above national averages. The campus features specialized classrooms for music, art, and science, along with outdoor learning spaces that complement the classical education approach.
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St. George's School
Independent
St. George's School is a highly regarded independent college preparatory school serving the greater Spokane area, including Valley residents. The school offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate program alongside advanced STEM and arts curricula. With small class sizes averaging 14 students, personalized attention and academic excellence are hallmarks. The 120-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top-tier universities nationwide.
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Northwest Christian Schools
Northwest Christian Schools
Northwest Christian Schools provides comprehensive Christian education from preschool through high school, serving families throughout Spokane County including Valley. The school emphasizes academic rigor within a faith-based environment, offering advanced placement courses, robust STEM programs, and competitive athletics. The 40-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. Parent satisfaction is consistently high due to strong community values, dedicated faculty, and excellent college preparation outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Valley, Washington
What are the primary private school options available in Valley, Washington, and what educational philosophies do they represent?
Valley, Washington, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a different focus. St. George's School is a prestigious, independent college-preparatory school known for its rigorous academics and expansive campus. Northwest Christian Schools provides a Christ-centered education from a Protestant evangelical perspective, integrating faith with learning. The Oaks Academy emphasizes a classical education model, focusing on the trivium (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) and a core knowledge curriculum. These schools represent the main educational philosophies available locally: secular college-prep, faith-based, and classical.
How does tuition at private schools in Valley, WA, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Valley's private schools varies significantly. St. George's School, as a top-tier boarding and day school, has tuition among the highest in Washington state, often exceeding $40,000 for day students. In contrast, Northwest Christian Schools and The Oaks Academy generally have more moderate tuition, potentially aligning closer to or slightly above the state's private school average, which was approximately $15,000-$20,000 for K-12 day schools. All these schools typically offer need-based financial aid, and some may have merit scholarships or parish-based discounts for faith-based institutions. Washington state does not have a private school voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, so aid is primarily school-dependent.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Valley, Washington, offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in Valley leverage Eastern Washington's environment and community. St. George's School utilizes its large rural campus for extensive outdoor education, environmental science programs, and significant athletic facilities. Northwest Christian Schools may integrate outdoor activities and service projects that connect with the local Spokane County community and natural surroundings. The Oaks Academy’s classical model might include focused studies in local history, such as the history of the Spokane Valley region or the Columbia Plateau, and nature studies that incorporate the area's geography and ecology into its curriculum.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Valley, and are there long waitlists?
The enrollment process in Valley typically begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year. St. George's School has a highly selective process involving application, standardized testing (like the SSAT), interviews, and teacher recommendations, with deadlines often in January or February. Northwest Christian Schools and The Oaks Academy may have a rolling admissions process but encourage early application, especially for younger grades. Due to their reputations and smaller sizes, these schools, particularly St. George's and often The Oaks Academy, can have competitive admissions and waitlists, especially for entry points like kindergarten and 9th grade. Sibling and legacy preferences are common.
For families in Valley, what are the key considerations when choosing between a local public school and a private school option?
Key considerations for Valley families include educational approach, class size, and specific program offerings. Valley's public schools are part of the Central Valley School District, which provides a standard public curriculum with broader extracurricular offerings due to larger size. Choosing a private school like those in Valley often means seeking a specific pedagogical approach (classical, faith-based, intensive college-prep), much smaller class sizes for individualized attention, and a distinct community environment. Transportation is also a factor, as private schools do not provide district busing. Financially, families must weigh the cost of tuition against the value of the specialized education and whether the private school's unique focus aligns with their child's needs and family values.
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