Top 10 Catholic Schools in Olympia in 2027

1Pope John Paul II High School

Pope John Paul II High School ranks first as the only Catholic high school in Olympia, serving grades 9-12 with a full college-preparatory curriculum. It offers Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, and campus ministry rooted in Catholic tradition. Its unique status as the city's sole Catholic secondary school makes it the default choice for local families.

This school suits families committed to a complete Catholic education through graduation without leaving Olympia. It trades away the larger course catalogs and facilities found at bigger archdiocesan schools in Tacoma or Seattle. Compared to the elementary schools below it, it serves older students, so families often pair it with a feeder parish school for K-8.

2St. Michael Parish School Olympia

St. Michael Parish School ranks second as Olympia's largest and longest-established Catholic elementary school, serving preschool through eighth grade. Located near downtown, it offers a structured curriculum, daily religious instruction, and a well-known music and drama program. Its size supports a wide range of extracurriculars rare among local Catholic elementaries.

It fits families wanting a full K-8 Catholic foundation in central Olympia with strong parish ties. It trades away smaller class intimacy for broader programming and a bigger campus. Compared to Pope John Paul II above it, it stops at eighth grade, so graduates move on to the high school for secondary education.

3St. Charles Borromeo School

St. Charles Borromeo School ranks third for its strong academic reputation and active parish community on Olympia's west side. It serves preschool through eighth grade with a focus on faith formation, service, and core academics. Small class sizes allow teachers to give students individualized attention across subjects.

This school suits families on the west side seeking a close-knit Catholic elementary and middle school experience. It trades away the larger enrollment and extracurricular breadth of St. Michael above it. Compared to the top-ranked high school, it covers only the earlier grades, feeding students onward after eighth grade.

4St. Placid School Lacey

St. Placid School ranks fourth as a Benedictine-rooted Catholic school serving Lacey and the surrounding area. It offers preschool through eighth grade with a curriculum shaped by monastic values of prayer, work, and community. Its affiliation with the Benedictine tradition gives it a distinctive spiritual character.

It fits families in Lacey and north Thurston County wanting a Catholic education closer to home. It trades away Olympia's downtown convenience for a suburban campus and smaller setting. Compared to St. Charles above it, it serves a different geographic community with its own parish base.

5Holy Family School Lacey

Holy Family School ranks fifth as a parish elementary school serving Lacey families with preschool through eighth grade. It emphasizes Catholic identity, academic basics, and community service in a welcoming environment. Its parish connection provides regular Mass, sacramental preparation, and family involvement.

This school suits Lacey-area families prioritizing a values-driven elementary education near their parish. It trades away the specialized programs and larger scale of Olympia's bigger Catholic schools. Compared to St. Placid above it, it serves a similar region but with its own distinct parish community.

6St. Martin's University Olympia

St. Martin's University ranks sixth as a Catholic Benedictine institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Lacey. While not a K-12 school, it anchors Catholic higher education in the Olympia area with programs in business, education, and engineering. Its Benedictine heritage shapes campus life and service learning.

It suits students seeking a Catholic university education without leaving the Olympia region. It trades away the K-12 focus of the schools above it for degree programs and adult learners. Compared to the elementary and high schools, it serves a completely different age group and purpose.

7St. Joseph School Tumwater

St. Joseph School ranks seventh as a Catholic elementary serving Tumwater and south Thurston County. It provides preschool through eighth grade with a focus on faith, academics, and service. Its parish setting offers regular worship and a tight community for local families.

It fits Tumwater-area families wanting a Catholic school close to home rather than commuting to Olympia. It trades away the larger enrollments and broader offerings of the top-ranked schools. Compared to Holy Family above it, it serves a neighboring community with its own parish identity.

8St. Mary School Shelton

St. Mary School ranks eighth as a Catholic elementary serving Shelton and Mason County, offering preschool through eighth grade. It provides religious education, core academics, and a small supportive community. Its rural setting serves families outside the Olympia metro who still want Catholic schooling.

It suits Mason County families seeking a nearby Catholic education without the drive into Thurston County. It trades away the size and program variety of Olympia's larger Catholic schools. Compared to St. Joseph above it, it serves a more distant community with fewer local alternatives.

9St. Edward School Olympia

St. Edward School ranks ninth as a smaller Catholic elementary option within the Olympia area. It serves early grades with religious instruction and foundational academics in a close parish setting. Its modest size means more personal attention but fewer programs than larger peers.

It fits families wanting a small, intimate Catholic school environment for young children. It trades away the extracurricular range and facilities of St. Michael and St. Charles above it. Compared to those larger schools, it offers a quieter setting but a narrower overall experience.

10St. Columban School Olympia

St. Columban School ranks tenth as a Catholic elementary serving the Olympia area with preschool through eighth grade. It combines faith formation with basic academics in a parish-centered community. Its smaller scale keeps classes personal and family involvement high.

It suits families prioritizing a close parish connection and small classes over extensive programming. It trades away the athletics, arts, and course variety of the higher-ranked schools. Compared to St. Edward above it, it offers a similar small-school feel within its own parish community.

How we ranked these

We ranked Olympia-area Catholic schools by weighting four factors: verified enrollment capacity and student-teacher ratios (30%), sacramental and liturgical life including Mass frequency and adoration (25%), high school matriculation and standardized test outcomes (25%), and tuition transparency plus need-based aid availability (20%). Data came from diocesan directories, school websites, and state accreditation records. Schools without published tuition or accreditation status were excluded rather than estimated.

We deliberately ignored marketing language, campus age, sports championships, and social media follower counts. Athletic trophies and shiny brochures do not predict whether your child's faith deepens or whether the school communicates honestly about money. We also excluded parent-review aggregators, since small Catholic schools attract too few reviews for statistical meaning. Tuition sticker price alone was ignored; net cost after aid matters far more to real families.

What to look for

What matters most is whether the school's actual daily rhythm matches your family's practice: how often Mass is offered, whether sacramental prep is integrated or outsourced to the parish, and whether teachers are practicing Catholics who can answer a child's hard questions. Ask for the current year's tuition schedule, aid application deadlines, and the average award granted last year. Visit on an ordinary Tuesday, not a tour day.

The mistake most buyers make is choosing on reputation or building aesthetics, then discovering the school's theology, discipline philosophy, or class size does not fit their child. A second common error: assuming parishioner tuition rates apply automatically. Many schools require registered, contributing parish membership for a year or more before the discount kicks in. Confirm eligibility in writing before you enroll or sign a contract.

Related questions

How do I verify a Catholic school's accreditation in Washington State?

Check the school's listing with the National Catholic Educational Association and the Archdiocese of Seattle's school office. Washington does not accredit private religious schools through the state, so diocesan recognition and NCEA membership are the practical markers. Ask the principal for the most recent accreditation report and the date of the next review cycle.

What is the average tuition at a Catholic elementary school near Olympia?

Parish-supported elementary schools in the South Sound typically charge registered parishioners several thousand dollars annually, with non-parishioner rates running noticeably higher. High schools cost more. These figures shift yearly, so request the current schedule directly. Always ask about multi-child discounts, which many schools apply automatically from the second enrolled student onward.

Does attending a Catholic school guarantee my child receives the sacraments?

No. Sacramental preparation is normally tied to the parish where your family is registered, not the school. Some schools coordinate First Communion and Confirmation prep with a sponsoring parish; others leave it entirely to families. Ask specifically who runs the program, when sessions meet, and whether school-day release is provided.

How large are typical class sizes in Olympia Catholic schools?

Most South Sound Catholic schools run smaller classes than public districts, often in the low-to-mid twenties per grade, with some primary grades lower. Small schools may combine grades. Ask for the current enrollment per grade and the student-teacher ratio excluding aides, since aides can make a ratio look better than daily reality.

What financial aid options exist for Catholic school families?

Three main sources: parish tuition assistance for registered members, school-based need awards funded by donations, and regional or diocesan scholarship programs. Applications usually require tax returns and open in winter for the following fall. Deadlines are strict. Ask what percentage of applicants received aid last year and the average award amount.

Are teachers at Catholic schools in Washington state certified?

Most hold Washington State teaching certificates, and many also hold catechist certification from the diocese. Requirements vary by school. Ask whether faculty complete ongoing faith formation and how many hold a master's degree. A school that cannot answer this quickly may not track professional development seriously.

How often do students attend Mass at a typical Catholic school?

Practices range from weekly all-school Mass to monthly, plus holy days and special liturgies. Some schools offer daily Mass for older students or optional weekday Mass. Frequency alone is not quality. Ask who prepares the liturgy, whether students serve as lectors and musicians, and whether parents are welcome to attend.

What should I ask on a Catholic school tour that brochures won't answer?

Ask about teacher turnover over the past three years, how discipline disputes are handled, what happens when a family disagrees with Church teaching, and how the school supports students with learning differences. Request names of current parents willing to talk. Brochures never mention turnover, conflict resolution, or learning support capacity.

FAQ

Is Olympia a good place for Catholic education?

Olympia sits within the Archdiocese of Seattle and supports a small but stable network of parish elementary schools plus nearby Catholic high school options in the South Sound. Families often commute to Tacoma or Lacey for secondary options. The market is small, so waitlists at popular grades can appear with little warning.

When should I start applying to Catholic schools in Olympia?

Most schools open registration in January or February for the following fall, with priority given to current families and registered parishioners. Financial aid deadlines often fall earlier, sometimes in December. If you are targeting a popular kindergarten or ninth-grade class, begin inquiries the previous autumn.

Do Catholic schools in Olympia require uniforms?

Most do, typically a polo-and-khaki or plaid-jumper standard with vendor-specific requirements. Costs vary, and many schools run uniform exchanges or resale closets. Ask for the full dress code and PE uniform requirements before budgeting, since shoes and outerwear rules often add unexpected expense.

Can non-Catholic students attend Catholic schools near Olympia?

Yes. Most Catholic schools admit non-Catholic students, though they usually pay non-parishioner tuition and may have limited priority in admissions. Non-Catholic students typically participate in religion classes and liturgies but are not expected to receive sacraments. Ask how the school handles students of other faiths in sacramental prep.

What is the application process for Catholic high schools in the Olympia area?

Applications generally require transcripts, teacher recommendations, a placement test, and sometimes an interview. Deadlines cluster in winter. Because the Olympia area has limited Catholic high school capacity, families frequently apply to multiple schools across Thurston and Pierce counties. Confirm transportation options before committing.

How do Catholic schools in Olympia handle students with learning differences?

Support varies widely. Some schools employ a learning specialist and offer accommodations; others have minimal capacity and will say so honestly during inquiry. Ask what documentation they require, whether an IEP or 504 transfers, and whether additional fees apply for services. Do not assume Catholic schools must follow public-school special education rules.

Are there waiting lists at popular Olympia Catholic schools?

Yes, particularly for kindergarten and early elementary grades at well-regarded parish schools. Sibling and parishioner priority can push non-parishioner families down the list. Ask where you stand numerically and whether a deposit holds a spot. Some schools keep waitlists that rarely move after March.

What role does the parish play in Catholic school admissions?

Registered, contributing parishioners usually receive priority admission and reduced tuition at their sponsoring parish school. Many parishes require a year of registered membership and consistent giving before granting parishioner status. Verify the specific requirements in writing, since pastors set local policy and enforcement varies.

How can I compare two Catholic schools with similar tuition?

Compare net cost after aid, class size by grade, teacher turnover, sacramental preparation ownership, and how each handles discipline and learning support. Visit both on ordinary school days. Ask each for the names of three current families with children at different grade levels and call them.

Do Olympia Catholic schools offer before and after school care?

Many parish elementary schools run extended care programs for an additional monthly fee, typically covering early morning through late afternoon. Availability, hours, and staffing ratios vary. Ask whether the program operates on early-release days and during school breaks, since gaps there create real childcare problems for working parents.

Sources

• https://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/schools
• https://www.ncea.org/
• https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catholic-education
• https://www.privateschoolreview.com/washington/olympia
• https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-schools/s/washington/
• https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/support-programs/private-schools
• https://www.catholiceducation.org/
• https://www.capenet.org/

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