The Best Private Schools in Gentry, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Gentry. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ozark Catholic Academy
Diocese of Little Rock
Ozark Catholic Academy is a highly-rated classical Catholic high school serving the Northwest Arkansas region, located approximately 22 miles from Gentry. The school offers a rigorous liberal arts education grounded in Catholic tradition, featuring small class sizes, Socratic teaching methods, and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The academy emphasizes character formation, critical thinking, and academic excellence with students consistently achieving above national averages on standardized tests. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and chapel spaces on a growing campus.
Programs:
Haas Hall Academy - Bentonville
Haas Hall Academy
Haas Hall Academy is a highly-regarded public charter school serving the Northwest Arkansas region, consistently ranked among the top schools in Arkansas. Located approximately 20 miles from Gentry, it offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on STEM education. The school features small class sizes, extensive Advanced Placement course offerings, and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and comprehensive college counseling services.
Programs:
Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian Schools
Shiloh Christian School is a premier private Christian school serving Northwest Arkansas, located approximately 25 miles from Gentry. The school offers comprehensive educational programs from preschool through high school with a strong academic foundation integrated with Christian values. Features include state-of-the-art facilities, competitive athletic programs, extensive fine arts offerings, and advanced placement courses. The campus includes modern science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes serving over 1,200 students.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Gentry, Arkansas
Are there any private schools physically located within the city limits of Gentry, Arkansas?
No, there are no private K-12 schools with campuses physically located within Gentry city limits. Families in Gentry seeking private education typically look at highly-regarded options in the broader Northwest Arkansas region, which are accessible via commute. The closest and most frequently considered schools include Haas Hall Academy in Bentonville (a public charter school with a college-prep focus, often grouped with private school discussions due to its selective model), Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, and Ozark Catholic Academy in Tontitown. This means transportation planning is a key consideration for Gentry residents.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Gentry, AR, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for the leading private schools in Northwest Arkansas, such as Shiloh Christian and Ozark Catholic Academy, is generally higher than the Arkansas state average for private schools, reflecting the region's economic growth and the schools' extensive facilities and programs. Annual tuition can range from approximately $8,000 to $12,000 or more for grades K-12. Importantly, these schools offer need-based financial aid, and Arkansas residents can benefit from the Succeed Scholarship Program for students with disabilities and the Arkansas Tax Credit Scholarship Program (Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids), which provides scholarships for lower-income families to attend private schools.
What unique academic or faith-based programs are offered by the private schools accessible to Gentry families?
Schools in the region offer distinct specializations. **Haas Hall Academy** (Bentonville) is a tuition-free public charter with a rigorous STEM-focused, Advanced Placement-centric curriculum requiring an application. **Shiloh Christian School** (Springdale) provides a comprehensive Protestant Christian education with strong athletics and arts programs. **Ozark Catholic Academy** (Tontitown) is the only diocesan Catholic high school in Northwest Arkansas, offering a classical liberal arts education integrated with Catholic theology. For Gentry parents, this means choosing based on a specific pedagogical or faith-based approach, as each school has a clearly defined mission.
What are the typical enrollment timelines and application processes for private schools near Gentry, Arkansas?
Timelines are critical as spaces are limited. Most private schools in NWA, including Shiloh Christian and Ozark Catholic Academy, have application deadlines in the winter (January-February) for the following fall, with rolling admissions afterward if spaces remain. The process usually involves an application form, student records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing, and a family interview. Haas Hall Academy, as a public charter, has a state-mandated open enrollment lottery period, typically in the spring. Gentry families are advised to start research and campus visits a full year in advance, as commuting students from smaller towns may compete for spots with a large regional population.
For a family living in Gentry, what are the primary considerations when comparing the local public school district to commuting to a private school?
The Gentry Public School District offers the convenience of a short, local commute and no tuition. The decision to commute to a private school (a 25-45 minute drive to Bentonville, Springdale, or Tontitown) involves weighing several factors: the desire for a specific religious education, a more rigorous or specialized academic track (like classical or STEM-intensive), or different extracurricular opportunities. Parents must consider the daily time and fuel costs of commuting, along with tuition. However, the private options may offer smaller average class sizes and distinct community cultures. It's highly recommended to tour both Gentry's public schools and the private options to feel the difference firsthand.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities