The Best Private Schools in Delaware, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Delaware. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ozark Catholic Academy
Ozark Catholic Academy
Ozark Catholic Academy is a premier Catholic high school serving the Northwest Arkansas region, including Delaware. While newer than other institutions, it has quickly established a reputation for academic excellence through its classical education model. The curriculum integrates Catholic intellectual tradition with rigorous college preparatory coursework, featuring small class sizes and dedicated faculty. Students benefit from a comprehensive liberal arts education with strong emphasis on critical thinking, character formation, and service. The school offers competitive athletics, fine arts programs, and numerous extracurricular activities while maintaining a tight-knit community atmosphere.
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Thaden School
Thaden School
Thaden School is an innovative independent school serving the broader Northwest Arkansas area, including families from Delaware. Founded with significant community support, the school offers a unique educational approach through its "Wheels, Wings, and Reels" curriculum that integrates hands-on learning with traditional academics. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, maker spaces, and athletic facilities. Thaden emphasizes project-based learning, community engagement, and college preparation while maintaining small student-teacher ratios. The school has quickly gained recognition for its innovative educational model and strong academic outcomes, drawing students from throughout the region.
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Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving Northwest Arkansas, including the Delaware area. Founded in 1976, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic complexes. Academic programs emphasize rigorous coursework with Advanced Placement options, while extracurricular offerings include competitive athletics, fine arts, and numerous student organizations. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for academic excellence and strong community values.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Delaware, Arkansas
What are the primary private school options available for families in Delaware, Arkansas, and what educational philosophies do they represent?
Delaware, Arkansas, is served by a small but distinct group of private schools, each with a different focus. The prominent options include **Shiloh Christian School** in Springdale (a short drive away), which is a large, nondenominational Christian school offering a comprehensive K-12 program with a strong emphasis on faith integration and athletics. **Ozark Catholic Academy** in Tontitown is a relatively new, independent Catholic high school (grades 9-12) following a classical liberal arts curriculum. **Thaden School** in Bentonville is an innovative, independent day school (grades 6-12) renowned for its "learning by doing" approach, with signature programs in Wheels (engineering), Meals (food science), and Reels (media arts). For younger grades, families often look at associated elementary programs or smaller local Christian academies in the broader Northwest Arkansas region.
How does tuition at private schools in the Delaware, Arkansas, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Delaware area reflects the high-quality and specialized programs offered, generally exceeding the Arkansas state average for private schools. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect a range. Ozark Catholic Academy's high school tuition is approximately $12,000, while Thaden School's tuition is significantly higher, reflecting its unique programs and facilities, often exceeding $20,000. Shiloh Christian School's tuition varies by grade but is generally in the mid-range for the region. Importantly, all these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. Parents should apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Arkansas also offers the Succeed Scholarship Program for students with IEPs, which can be used at participating private schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular specializations can students access at private schools near Delaware, AR, that may not be available in public schools?
The private schools near Delaware, AR, offer several distinctive specializations. **Thaden School** is unparalleled in the state with its integrated "Wheels, Meals, and Reels" curriculum, featuring state-of-the-art studios, kitchens, and workshops. **Ozark Catholic Academy** provides a deep, Socratic-method-based classical education in the Catholic intellectual tradition, including the study of Latin and philosophy—a rarity at the high school level. **Shiloh Christian School** offers extensive vocational and ministry-oriented pathways alongside its college-prep track, including dedicated worship arts and Christian leadership programs. All three schools typically have lower student-to-teacher ratios than area public schools, allowing for more personalized project-based learning and mentorship, capitalizing on the innovative and entrepreneurial culture of Northwest Arkansas.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Delaware, Arkansas, and when should parents start planning?
The enrollment process for top private schools in this competitive region requires early planning. For schools like Thaden and Ozark Catholic Academy, the main admission cycle begins in the fall (September-October) for the following academic year, with application deadlines typically between January and February. Key steps include submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often a student interview or visit day. Shiloh Christian School may have rolling admissions but encourages early application due to high demand. For kindergarten or 6th/9th-grade entry points, starting the research and tour process 12-18 months in advance is highly advisable. Many schools host open houses in the fall. Given that these schools draw from the entire Northwest Arkansas corridor, spaces can fill quickly, so Delaware families should not wait until spring or summer to begin the process.
For a family in rural Delaware, Arkansas, what are the key considerations when comparing local public schools to the private school options in nearby cities?
Families in Delaware must weigh several location-specific factors. The primary consideration is **commute time** to schools in Springdale, Tontitown, or Bentonville, which can be 30-60 minutes each way, impacting daily schedules and extracurricular participation. **Community environment** is another key factor: Delaware's public schools offer a close-knit, local community, while the private options provide a regionally diverse student body often focused on specific religious or pedagogical values. **Programmatic fit** is crucial: if a child has a strong interest in classical education, innovative project-based learning, or a specific faith-based environment, the private schools offer targeted programs that a small rural public district may not be resourced to provide. Finally, **cost** is a major differentiator; families must balance the significant financial investment in private tuition against the no-cost option of their local public school, potentially using those savings for supplemental educational experiences.
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