The Best Private Schools in Havana, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Havana. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Joseph Catholic School
Catholic Schools of Arkansas
St. Joseph Catholic School in nearby Paris serves students from Havana and surrounding communities with a strong academic foundation rooted in Catholic values. The school offers small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, providing personalized attention. Their comprehensive curriculum includes advanced reading programs, hands-on science education, and technology integration. The school features modern facilities including computer labs, library resources, and dedicated art and music rooms. Parents consistently praise the nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, and strong community atmosphere that prepares students academically and spiritually.
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Sacred Heart Catholic School
Catholic Schools of Arkansas
Located in Charleston, Sacred Heart Catholic School serves families throughout the region including Havana with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade program. The school emphasizes academic excellence with a rigorous curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, and science programs. Students benefit from modern technology integration, competitive sports programs, and extensive extracurricular activities including music, art, and community service. The school maintains small class sizes and features a safe, family-oriented environment with high parent satisfaction ratings for both academic quality and character development.
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Subiaco Academy
Subiaco Abbey
Subiaco Academy, located approximately 20 miles from Havana, is a prestigious Catholic boarding and day school serving students in grades 7-12. The academy offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and competitive athletics. The 120-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, athletic complexes, and residential facilities. With a strong tradition of academic excellence and character formation, Subiaco provides a structured environment that prepares students for college success. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including fine arts, leadership programs, and community service initiatives.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Havana, Arkansas
What are the private school options for families living in or near Havana, Arkansas?
For families in Havana, AR, the primary private school options are faith-based institutions in the surrounding region. The most prominent are St. Joseph Catholic School in nearby Conway, Sacred Heart Catholic School in Morrilton, and Subiaco Academy, a college-preparatory Benedictine boarding and day school for boys in Subiaco. Given Havana's small size and rural setting, most private schooling requires a commute to neighboring towns. These schools serve as educational hubs for the wider Yell County and River Valley area, drawing students from multiple small communities.
How does the tuition at private schools near Havana, AR, compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for private schools serving the Havana area is generally below the national private school average but must be evaluated in the context of local median incomes. For the 2023-2024 school year, area Catholic elementary schools like St. Joseph or Sacred Heart typically have tuition ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 annually. Subiaco Academy, as a boarding school, has a higher comprehensive fee. Importantly, these schools often offer parish subsidies for active members, multi-child discounts, and need-based financial aid. Arkansas's Succeed Scholarship Program may also be an option for eligible students with specific educational needs, providing state-funded assistance to attend a private school.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Havana, AR, region offer that local public schools may not?
Private schools near Havana provide specialized programs that leverage their institutional missions. Subiaco Academy offers a distinctive residential college-prep environment with a strong emphasis on classical education, leadership, and its monastic heritage, including unique retreats and work programs. The Catholic schools (St. Joseph and Sacred Heart) integrate faith-based education and character formation throughout their curriculum, which is a key differentiator. Due to their smaller size, these schools can offer more individualized attention. However, extracurricular offerings in sports or arts may be more limited in scope compared to larger public school districts in the area, focusing on core activities like basketball, volleyball, and academic clubs.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools serving Havana, Arkansas families?
The enrollment process for schools like St. Joseph, Sacred Heart, and Subiaco Academy usually begins in the winter or early spring for the following fall semester. Key steps include: 1) Attending an open house or scheduling a campus tour (essential given the commute from Havana). 2) Submitting an application by a priority deadline, often between February and April. 3) Providing academic records, standardized test scores, and sometimes pastoral references for Catholic schools. 4) A family or student interview. For Subiaco Academy, boarding applicants may have additional steps. It's crucial to contact the admissions office directly, as some schools have rolling admissions but give priority to siblings and parishioners. Early inquiry is recommended due to limited seats.
For a Havana resident, what are the major practical considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school in a neighboring town?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. First is **commute**: Attending a private school requires daily transportation to Conway, Morrilton, or Subiaco, which can mean a 30-60 minute drive each way. Second is **cost**: Weighing tuition and fees against the no-cost option of Havana's public school, which is part of the Two Rivers School District. Third is **educational philosophy**: Parents must decide if the faith-based environment and often smaller class sizes of a private school align with their goals. Fourth is **community**: Public school in Havana offers a hyper-local peer group, while private school connects children to a regional, often faith-based, community. Finally, consider **logistics**: Private school may involve more parent-led coordination for extracurriculars and travel compared to a community-centered public school.
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