The Best Private Schools in Highland Home, Alabama
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Highland Home. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Montgomery Academy
Montgomery Academy
As one of Alabama's premier independent schools, Montgomery Academy serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade and attracts families from throughout central Alabama, including Highland Home. The school offers a rigorous academic program with extensive Advanced Placement offerings and consistently ranks among the top college preparatory schools in the state. Facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, extensive athletic complexes, performing arts centers, and technology-rich classrooms. The school maintains a low student-teacher ratio and emphasizes leadership development, community service, and comprehensive extracurricular programming.
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Fort Dale Academy
Fort Dale Academy
Fort Dale Academy is a highly-regarded private school serving students from pre-K through 12th grade. Located approximately 20 miles from Highland Home, this established institution offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, strong athletic programs, and diverse extracurricular activities. The school features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Fort Dale Academy maintains high academic standards and has a strong track record of college placements. The school community emphasizes character development and traditional values alongside academic excellence.
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Pike Liberal Arts School
Pike Liberal Arts School
Located approximately 25 miles from Highland Home, Pike Liberal Arts School serves students from pre-K through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum including Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletic programs, and diverse extracurricular activities. Facilities include modern classrooms, science and computer labs, athletic fields, and fine arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes and has established a reputation for strong community involvement and high graduation rates with graduates attending competitive colleges and universities throughout the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Highland Home, Alabama
What are the primary private school options for families living in Highland Home, Alabama, and what are their commuting realities?
While Highland Home itself is a small town, families have several well-regarded private school options within a reasonable driving distance. The most prominent are Fort Dale Academy in Greenville (approx. 25 miles southwest), Montgomery Academy in Montgomery (approx. 40 miles east), and Pike Liberal Arts School in Troy (approx. 20 miles southeast). The daily commute is a significant factor for Highland Home residents, as each school requires a 30-60 minute drive each way. Many families form carpools to manage transportation. There are no private schools physically located within the town limits of Highland Home, so planning for transportation is a key part of the decision.
How does the tuition at private schools near Highland Home, AL, compare, and are there Alabama-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly among the schools accessible to Highland Home families. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range from approximately $6,000-$8,000 per year at schools like Fort Dale Academy and Pike Liberal Arts, to over $20,000 per year at Montgomery Academy. Importantly, Alabama has the "Alabama Accountability Act," which allows individuals and businesses to donate to scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) and receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit. These SGOs provide need-based scholarships for students to attend private schools. All three schools have financial aid offices that can guide families through this and other aid opportunities, which is crucial for many in the Highland Home area.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Highland Home offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools in the region often provide specialized programs that may not be available in smaller public school systems. For example, Montgomery Academy offers a renowned college-prep curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement (AP) options and global studies programs. Fort Dale Academy has a strong agricultural science and FFA program, highly relevant to the rural Highland Home community. Pike Liberal Arts School emphasizes a classical education model and has competitive athletics in the AISA (Alabama Independent School Association). These schools typically offer smaller class sizes, which can allow for more individualized attention compared to the public school structure in Crenshaw County.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving the Highland Home, AL, community?
The enrollment process for these schools generally begins in the winter for the following fall semester. Open houses and shadow days (where a prospective student spends a day on campus) are typically scheduled between January and March. Application deadlines are often in early spring (March/April), with admission decisions and financial aid awards communicated by April or May. It is highly recommended for Highland Home families to begin research and campus visits a full year in advance, as some grades, particularly entry-level grades like kindergarten, 6th, and 9th, can have limited space. Each school has its own application, which usually includes transcripts, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores, and a family interview.
For a family in Highland Home, what are the key considerations when choosing between a local public school and a commuting private school?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. First, evaluate the daily logistics: the time, cost, and reliability of a 40-80 mile round-trip commute. Second, consider the community aspect—your child's friendships and extracurricular participation will be centered away from their immediate Highland Home neighborhood. Academically, compare the specific programs (like AP offerings or vocational ag) at Crenshaw County public schools with the specialized curricula of the private options. Financially, weigh the tuition and associated costs against the potential benefits. Finally, consider the athletic and association differences; local public schools compete in the AHSAA, while the private options (like Fort Dale and Pike) compete in the AISA, which can affect travel for sports. Many families find the smaller environment and specific mission of the private schools worth the commute, while others value the community integration of the local public school.