The Best Private Schools in Danville, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Danville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Subiaco Academy
Subiaco Academy
Subiaco Academy is a prestigious Catholic college-preparatory boarding and day school located just 15 miles from Danville. Founded by Benedictine monks, the school offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes and personalized attention. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, science labs, athletic complexes, and residential facilities. The school emphasizes character development, leadership, and spiritual growth alongside academic excellence, with a strong track record of college placements and comprehensive extracurricular programs including competitive sports, music, and arts.
Programs:
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Diocese of Little Rock
Sacred Heart Catholic School serves students from Danville and surrounding communities with a comprehensive PreK-12 education rooted in Catholic values. The school features a strong college preparatory curriculum with advanced placement opportunities and dedicated faculty. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, a gymnasium, and athletic fields. The school emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and character development while offering diverse extracurricular activities including competitive sports teams, choir, band, and community service programs. Parents consistently praise the supportive community and high academic standards.
Programs:
St. Joseph School
Diocese of Little Rock
St. Joseph School in Paris provides quality Catholic education for families in the Danville area, serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school offers a strong foundational education with emphasis on core academic subjects, faith formation, and character development. Features include small class sizes, dedicated teachers, modern technology integration, and a safe learning environment. The school maintains active parent involvement and offers comprehensive programs including music, art, physical education, and extracurricular activities. Many graduates continue to excel at regional high schools, demonstrating the strong academic preparation received.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Danville, Arkansas
What are the primary private school options available for families in Danville, Arkansas, and what grade levels do they serve?
Danville, AR, is home to a small but distinct set of private schools, primarily with religious affiliations. The notable institutions are Subiaco Academy (a Catholic, Benedictine college-preparatory boarding and day school for boys in grades 7-12), Sacred Heart Catholic School (typically serving elementary grades with a faith-based curriculum), and St. Joseph School (another Catholic option often covering pre-K through elementary). For families seeking non-religious private education, options within Danville itself are extremely limited, and parents may need to look toward neighboring communities like Russellville or the broader River Valley region.
How does the tuition for private schools in Danville, AR, compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options specific to Arkansas?
Tuition at Danville's private schools is generally below the national average but aligns with regional costs in Arkansas. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at Subiaco Academy is approximately $10,000-$12,000, while elementary-focused schools like Sacred Heart and St. Joseph typically range from $4,000 to $6,000 annually. A key financial consideration for Arkansas families is the Succeed Scholarship Program, a state-funded voucher that provides students with disabilities the option to attend a private school. Additionally, individual schools offer need-based aid, parish subsidies for church members, and sibling discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Danville's private schools offer that leverage the local community or setting?
Danville's private schools utilize their rural Arkansas setting to offer distinctive programs. Subiaco Academy, with its 1,600-acre campus, provides unique outdoor education and agricultural science opportunities, alongside a strong emphasis on classical liberal arts and its monastic tradition. The smaller Catholic elementary schools often integrate community service projects within Danville and the surrounding Yell County area, fostering a tight-knit, family-oriented environment. Furthermore, these schools frequently emphasize small class sizes (often 10-15 students) as a core feature, allowing for highly personalized instruction that can be challenging to find in larger public districts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Danville, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Danville's private schools usually begins in January or February for the following fall, with priority often given to siblings of current students and members of the affiliated parish. Given the small size of these schools, especially at the elementary level, spaces can fill quickly, and it's common for grades to have waitlists by early spring. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, a pastor recommendation (for religious schools), and a family interview. For Subiaco Academy, which accepts boarding students, the timeline may be more flexible, but an entrance exam (HSPT or similar) is often required for middle and high school placement.
For a family considering both public and private education in Danville, what are the key differentiating factors?
The key differentiators center on educational approach, environment, and resources. The Danville Public School District serves a broader population with standard state curricula and typically larger class sizes. In contrast, Danville's private schools offer a faith-based education (Catholic), a structured environment with enforced dress codes, and a low student-to-teacher ratio. A major practical difference is that Subiaco Academy provides a boarding option, which is unavailable in the public system. However, the public schools offer a wider range of extracurricular activities, such as larger athletic programs, due to their larger student bodies. The choice often comes down to a family's priority on religious instruction and personalized attention versus the comprehensive, tax-funded programs of the public district.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities