The Best Private Schools in Friendship, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Friendship. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mount St. Mary Academy
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Mount St. Mary Academy is a premier all-girls Catholic college preparatory school serving central Arkansas. With a 100% college acceptance rate, the school offers rigorous academics including Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM programs, and comprehensive fine arts education. The 26-acre campus features modern facilities, science labs, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes leadership development, community service, and spiritual formation while maintaining small class sizes for personalized attention.
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The Anthony School
Independent Private School
The Anthony School provides a progressive, student-centered education from preschool through 8th grade. Known for its nurturing environment and academic excellence, the school combines traditional curriculum with innovative teaching methods. Features include specialized art and music programs, technology integration, foreign language instruction, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school focuses on developing critical thinking skills and character education while preparing students for competitive high school programs.
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Arkadelphia Adventist School
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Arkadelphia Adventist School offers a comprehensive Christian education with strong academic foundations. The school provides small class sizes, individualized instruction, and a safe learning environment. Curriculum includes core academic subjects enhanced by technology integration, music education, and hands-on learning experiences. The school emphasizes moral development, community service, and holistic education while maintaining affordable tuition rates. Serving the southwest Arkansas region, it provides transportation options for surrounding communities including Friendship.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Friendship, Arkansas
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Friendship, Arkansas, given that the top-rated schools are in other cities?
While Friendship itself is a very small, rural community without its own private schools, families typically look to neighboring cities. The most accessible and notable options include Mount St. Mary Academy (all-girls, Catholic, grades 6-12) and The Anthony School (co-ed, non-sectarian, preschool-8) in Little Rock, about a 70-minute drive. For a closer, faith-based option, the Arkadelphia Adventist School (K-8) in Arkadelphia is roughly a 40-minute drive. Enrollment from Friendship is common, but parents must factor in significant daily commuting or boarding possibilities for older students.
How does tuition for private schools near Friendship, AR, compare to the state average, and are there any Arkansas-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for schools like Mount St. Mary Academy or The Anthony School aligns with major metro areas, often ranging from $10,000 to $15,000+ annually, which is above the Arkansas private school average. A key state-specific financial resource is the Succeed Scholarship Program, which provides vouchers for students with disabilities to attend a private school. Additionally, the Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Scholarship Program offers income-based assistance. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their own need-based aid and any parish or member discounts for religious-affiliated institutions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible from Friendship offer that might not be available in local public districts?
Schools in the Little Rock corridor offer specialized programs that justify the commute for many Friendship families. Mount St. Mary Academy features a renowned STEM-focused curriculum and extensive Advanced Placement offerings. The Anthony School emphasizes individualized learning plans and project-based learning from an early age. In contrast to the small, consolidated public schools in the Friendship area, these institutions often provide more robust arts programs, competitive athletics leagues, and unique electives like robotics or foreign languages starting in lower grades, which are typical draws for rural families seeking expanded opportunities.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Friendship, and are there considerations for rural applicants?
The enrollment process for competitive schools like those in Little Rock begins early, often with open houses in the fall (September-November) for the following academic year. Application deadlines are typically in January or February. For families in Friendship, it's essential to schedule visits well in advance due to travel distance. Admissions committees at these schools are accustomed to evaluating applicants from rural areas and may consider factors like consistent commute plans in their decision. Sibling and legacy preferences exist, but demonstrating commitment and fit is paramount. We recommend initiating contact with admissions offices a full year before desired enrollment.
Beyond academics, what are the notable community or values-based aspects of private schools serving the Friendship, AR, region?
The private schools accessible to Friendship families often provide tight-knit, values-oriented communities that resonate with rural parents. Mount St. Mary Academy offers a strong Catholic identity with an emphasis on service leadership. The Anthony School fosters a progressive, inclusive community focused on character development. The Arkadelphia Adventist School provides a Seventh-day Adventist Christian environment. For families in Friendship, these defined communities can offer a sense of belonging and shared purpose that mirrors small-town values, albeit within an educational framework that provides more diverse peer interaction and resources than the local public school district might.
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