The Best Private Schools in Westport, Washington
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Westport. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary School
Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Olympia
St. Mary School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Westport and greater Grays Harbor area. Located just 20 minutes from Westport in Aberdeen, this established institution offers comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade. The school features small class sizes, strong academic foundations, and a values-based education rooted in Catholic tradition. Programs include integrated STEM education, comprehensive arts and music curriculum, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction ratings and serves as a regional educational hub for coastal communities including Westport families seeking private education options.
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St. Anne School
Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Olympia
St. Anne School provides exceptional private education to students throughout Grays Harbor County, including Westport families. Located approximately 25 minutes from Westport in Hoquiam, this well-established Catholic school serves grades Pre-K through 8 with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. The school offers advanced mathematics and language arts programs, comprehensive sports and extracurricular activities, and maintains small student-teacher ratios. With decades of service to the coastal community, St. Anne School has built a reputation for high academic standards and strong community involvement, making it a popular choice for Westport-area families seeking private education.
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Olympia Regional Learning Academy
Independent Private School
Olympia Regional Learning Academy is a highly-rated private school serving students from throughout the region, including Westport families willing to commute for exceptional education. Located approximately 60 miles from Westport in Olympia, this innovative school serves grades K-12 with a focus on project-based learning and college preparatory curriculum. The academy features state-of-the-art technology integration, comprehensive arts programs, and individualized learning plans. Despite the distance, many coastal families choose ORLA for its strong academic reputation, experienced faculty, and proven track record of student success in college admissions. The school offers flexible scheduling and has become a regional destination for families seeking alternative educational approaches.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Westport, Washington
What are the private school options available specifically in Westport, WA, and are they all faith-based?
Westport, WA, is a small coastal community, and its immediate private school options within the town limits are limited and primarily faith-based. The main institutions are St. Mary School and St. Anne School, both offering K-8 education with a Catholic curriculum. For families seeking non-religious or specialized secondary private education, options expand to the wider Grays Harbor County area. A notable nearby option is the Olympia Regional Learning Academy, a public alternative school with a private-school-like model, located about an hour away in Olympia. Many Westport families also consider private schools in Aberdeen or Hoquiam, or utilize Washington's charter school and homeschooling support networks.
How does the tuition at Westport's private schools compare to the state average, and are there state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition at Westport's primary private schools, St. Mary and St. Anne, is typically below the state average for private K-8 education due to the lower cost of living in Grays Harbor County. Annual tuition often ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 per student, with discounts for siblings. Washington state offers specific financial aid opportunities that Westport families can utilize. The most significant is the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, though it's primarily for higher education. More directly relevant are the tuition payment plans and need-based financial aid offered directly by the parish schools. Additionally, Washington does not have a private school voucher program, but organizations like the Fulcrum Foundation in the Seattle Archdiocese may provide assistance to qualifying families in Catholic schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Westport, WA, private schools offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in Westport uniquely integrate the coastal environment into their curricula. St. Mary School and St. Anne School often emphasize marine science, local ecology, and Washington state history through hands-on learning. Given Westport's identity as a fishing and tourist town, programs may include field trips to the Westport Maritime Museum, the Westport Light State Park, and local docks to study marine biology and maritime history. Extracurricular activities might also be shaped by the community, with focuses on community service related to coastal conservation and partnerships with local fisheries. This localized approach provides a deeply contextual education you wouldn't find in urban private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Westport, WA, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Westport's small private schools usually begins in January or February for the following academic year. Given the limited seats available in these small community schools, early inquiry is recommended. The process typically involves submitting an application, providing records from a previous school, a family interview, and often a placement assessment for the child. For parish schools like St. Mary and St. Anne, priority is frequently given to active members of the supporting Catholic parish. While not always as competitive as in large cities, popular grades can have waitlists due to the small class sizes. It's crucial to contact the school office directly, as timelines can be more flexible but also less formalized than in larger institutions.
For a family in Westport, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Ocosta School District) and a private school?
The key considerations for Westport families involve community size, educational approach, and cost. The Ocosta School District serves the area with a public K-12 campus, offering a wider range of extracurriculars, sports, and advanced placement classes for older students, all at no tuition cost. In contrast, Westport's private schools offer smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), a specific faith-based values education, and a tight-knit community feel. The decision often hinges on whether a family prioritizes the personalized, religious environment of a private school or the comprehensive, tax-funded resources and broader social environment of the public district. Transportation is also a factor, as the public district provides buses, while private schools require personal transportation.
Private Education Insights
Westport's Premier Private Kindergarten: Nurturing Young Minds for a Bright Future
Choosing the right private kindergarten in Westport, Washington, is a significant decision that sets the educational foundation for your child. Here in our coastal community, families often seek an environment that balances academic readiness with the nurturing, personalized attention that can be harder to find in larger settings. A private kindergarten offers this, providing a structured yet flexible introduction to formal learning, often with smaller class sizes where teachers can truly know each child’s strengths and curiosities. For Westport parents, this decision is intertwined with our local lifestyle—valuing community, embracing our natural surroundings, and planning for educational continuity in a smaller town.
When exploring options, you’ll find that private kindergartens in the area, such as those at St. Mary School or St. Anne School, often emphasize a values-based education. This can be particularly appealing, fostering not just literacy and numeracy but also character development, respect, and kindness from the very start. These programs are designed to be more than just daycare; they are intentional first steps in a child’s academic journey. Another local option, the Olympia Regional Learning Academy, while a short commute, offers a different model that might appeal to families interested in specialized or project-based learning approaches even at the kindergarten level. Visiting these schools is crucial. Pay attention to the kindergarten classroom’s atmosphere: Is it vibrant and print-rich? Do the children seem engaged and happy? How do teachers facilitate play, which is the essential work of childhood?
The practicalities for Westport families are unique. Consider the daily logistics. Our weather and ferry schedules for those commuting from nearby areas can be a factor, so understanding a school’s schedule and before/after-care options is vital. Many local private kindergartens offer extended care, which is a significant support for working families in our community. Financially, investing in private kindergarten is a consideration, but many schools offer tuition assistance or payment plans. It’s also worth asking about the transition from kindergarten into the lower elementary grades at the same institution, providing stability for your child in a familiar environment.
Ultimately, the best private kindergarten for your child in Westport is one where their unique spirit will be recognized and encouraged. Look for a program that balances a strong curriculum with ample time for creative expression and outdoor play, perhaps even incorporating lessons about our local marine environment or coastal ecology. Trust your instincts during tours and conversations. You are looking for a partnership—a place where you feel confident the teachers and staff will communicate with you and share your commitment to fostering a lifelong love of learning. This careful choice in Westport can provide an invaluable, joyful launchpad for your child’s educational path, right here in our supportive community.
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