The Best Private Schools in Gilbert, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Gilbert. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Christian Schools of Mountain Home
Christian Schools of Mountain Home
Christian Schools of Mountain Home is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving northern Arkansas, including the Gilbert area. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through high school with a strong college preparatory focus. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes academic excellence integrated with Christian values, featuring small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a wide range of extracurricular activities including competitive sports, music programs, and community service opportunities.
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St. John's Lutheran School
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
St. John's Lutheran School in Harrison provides quality Christian education serving families throughout northern Arkansas, including the Gilbert community. The school offers programs from preschool through 8th grade with a strong foundation in core academics integrated with Lutheran teachings. Features include dedicated certified teachers, modern technology integration, music and arts programs, and physical education. The school maintains small class sizes for individualized attention and has a reputation for strong parent involvement and community engagement.
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St. Joseph's Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
St. Joseph's Catholic School serves students from preschool through 6th grade and draws families from throughout the northern Arkansas region, including Gilbert. The school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. The curriculum is enhanced by religious education, music, art, and physical education programs. The school features a safe, nurturing environment with experienced teachers and active parent participation, focusing on developing the whole child spiritually, academically, and socially.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Gilbert, Arkansas
What are the private school options for families living in Gilbert, Arkansas, and are there any schools located directly in the town?
Gilbert, AR, is a very small, rural community, so there are no private schools physically located within the town limits. Families typically look to nearby cities for private education. The closest and most prominent options include Christian Schools of Mountain Home (K-12, non-denominational Christian), St. John's Lutheran School (PK-8, Lutheran), and St. Joseph's Catholic School (PK-6, Catholic), all located in Mountain Home, approximately a 30-45 minute drive from Gilbert. This commute is a significant local consideration for daily logistics and transportation planning.
How does tuition for private schools in the Gilbert, Arkansas, area compare to the state average, and are there any Arkansas-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for the private schools serving the Gilbert area is generally below the national private school average, reflecting the local cost of living. For the 2024-2025 school year, tuition at these schools typically ranges from approximately $4,500 to $7,500 annually for elementary grades. A key Arkansas-specific financial consideration is the Succeed Scholarship Program, a state-funded voucher for students with disabilities or who are in foster care to attend a private school. Additionally, the Arkansas Tax Credit Scholarship Program (Act 613) provides scholarships for lower-income families, which some local private schools participate in.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Gilbert, Arkansas, offer that address the interests of a rural community?
Private schools in the Mountain Home area tailor programs to their community's strengths. Christian Schools of Mountain Home, for instance, offers robust agricultural science and FFA programs, aligning with the region's rural character. Many also emphasize outdoor education and environmental science, taking advantage of the nearby Buffalo National River and Ozark Mountains. Furthermore, given the limited local access to certain specialized instructors, schools like St. John's Lutheran and St. Joseph's often integrate technology and online learning platforms to supplement their curriculum in areas like foreign languages or advanced STEM courses.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Gilbert, Arkansas, families, and how early should I apply?
The enrollment process for the popular private schools in Mountain Home often begins in January or February for the following fall semester, with priority given to re-enrolling students and siblings. For families in Gilbert, it is highly recommended to initiate inquiries by November or December. The process usually involves a campus tour, submission of an application, academic records, and often a family interview. Due to limited seats and the schools' regional draw, applying early is crucial, especially for entry-level grades (Pre-K and Kindergarten), as waitlists can form by early spring.
For a family in Gilbert, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public school (Ozark Mountain School District) and a private school in Mountain Home?
The decision hinges on several Gilbert-specific factors. The primary trade-off is **proximity versus program specialization**. The local public school offers a very short commute and deep community integration. Opting for a private school in Mountain Home involves a significant daily commute but provides alternatives such as specific religious education (Christian, Lutheran, or Catholic), often smaller class sizes, and different curricular approaches. Parents should also consider the annual cost of tuition, gas, and time against the value of the specialized environment. For some families, the private school community becomes a central part of their social and spiritual life, offsetting the geographical distance from Gilbert.
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