The Best Private Schools in Jackson, Wyoming
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Jackson. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Jackson Hole Community School
Independent
Jackson Hole Community School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving grades 9-12. Known for its rigorous academic program with small class sizes and personalized attention, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum including multiple AP courses. The school emphasizes both academic excellence and character development, with strong outdoor education components that leverage the surrounding Teton environment. Faculty are highly qualified with advanced degrees, and the school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate to selective institutions nationwide.
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Journeys School of Teton Science Schools
Teton Science Schools
Journeys School is an independent day school offering education from early childhood through 12th grade, fully authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school integrates place-based education with global perspectives, emphasizing environmental stewardship and interdisciplinary learning. With state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, art studios, and outdoor learning spaces, the school provides a comprehensive education that balances academic rigor with experiential learning. The student-teacher ratio of 8:1 ensures personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships.
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Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools
Teton Science Schools
Mountain Academy serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade with a focus on place-based education and environmental literacy. As part of the Teton Science Schools network, the institution leverages its 900-acre campus and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as an extended classroom. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and community engagement. The school features modern facilities including dedicated science labs, outdoor learning spaces, and technology-integrated classrooms. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and the development of students' leadership skills and environmental awareness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Jackson, Wyoming
What are the main private school options available in Jackson, Wyoming, and how do their educational philosophies differ?
Jackson offers a few distinct private school options, each with a unique focus. The **Jackson Hole Community School** is a secular, college-preparatory day school for grades 7-12, emphasizing a rigorous academic curriculum within a small, supportive community. The **Journeys School of Teton Science Schools** (Pre-K through 12) and the **Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools** (K-12) are both part of the Teton Science Schools network, which is renowned for its place-based, experiential education model. This model integrates the local Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem into all aspects of learning, fostering environmental stewardship and interdisciplinary studies. For families seeking a religious education, options are more limited and may require looking into neighboring communities or homeschool cooperatives.
How does the cost of private school tuition in Jackson, WY, compare to the state and national averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition at Jackson's private schools is significantly higher than both the Wyoming and national averages, reflecting the area's high cost of living. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition ranges from approximately $25,000 to over $35,000 annually. In contrast, the national average for private day schools is around $16,000. All major schools in Jackson—Jackson Hole Community School, Journeys School, and Mountain Academy—have robust need-based financial aid programs funded through endowments and donations. They are committed to socioeconomic diversity and encourage all families to apply for aid, with many receiving substantial grants that make attendance possible. Some schools also offer payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Jackson private schools offer that leverage the local Teton environment?
Private schools in Jackson uniquely capitalize on the surrounding landscape. The Teton Science Schools' **place-based education** is the hallmark, where students engage in regular field work, ecological monitoring, and wilderness expeditions. Courses might include "Winter Ecology" or "Yellowstone Geology." The **Jackson Hole Community School** integrates the environment through its January "Winterim" term, where students undertake intensive projects, including backcountry skiing, scientific research, and community service, all locally focused. Extracurriculars across schools heavily feature outdoor leadership, climbing, skiing, and environmental advocacy clubs, directly connecting classroom learning to the unparalleled natural laboratory of the Tetons and Yellowstone.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Jackson, and how competitive is admission?
The enrollment timeline for Jackson private schools generally begins in the fall, with application deadlines in January or February for the following academic year. The process is competitive, particularly for entry into middle and high school grades, due to limited seats and high demand from both local and relocating families. A complete application typically includes student and parent statements, teacher recommendations, transcripts, standardized test scores (like the SSAT), and a mandatory campus visit and student interview. Schools prioritize mission-aligned families, siblings of current students, and children of faculty. Applying early is strongly advised, and waiting lists are common, so having a backup plan is important.
For families moving to Jackson, how do the private schools compare to the highly-rated public school district (Teton County School District #1)?
The Teton County public schools are excellent and well-funded, offering strong academic programs, arts, and athletics. The choice often comes down to educational approach and scale. Public schools are larger, offering more diverse social environments and extensive AP course options. Jackson's private schools offer much smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), highly personalized attention, and distinctive pedagogical models (like intensive place-based learning or a focused college-prep curriculum). Private schools may also offer more schedule flexibility for families who travel or pursue competitive outdoor sports. The decision frequently hinges on whether a family values the unique, immersive, and intimate environment of a private school enough to justify the significant tuition investment.