The Best Private Schools in Midland, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Midland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Subiaco Academy
Subiaco Academy
Subiaco Academy is a prestigious Catholic college preparatory boarding and day school for boys in grades 7-12, located approximately 30 minutes from Midland. Founded by Benedictine monks, the academy offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes and personalized attention. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, athletic complexes, and residential facilities. Students benefit from a comprehensive college counseling program, with graduates consistently attending top universities nationwide. The school emphasizes character development, leadership, and spiritual growth alongside academic excellence.
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Trinity Junior High School
Catholic Schools of Fort Smith
Trinity Junior High School serves students in grades 7-8 as part of the Catholic Schools of Fort Smith system, located about 45 minutes from Midland. The school provides a strong foundation in core academic subjects while integrating technology and faith-based education. Features include modern classrooms, science laboratories, computer labs, and athletic facilities. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and preparation for high school, with extensive extracurricular opportunities including sports, music, drama, and community service programs. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's nurturing environment and academic rigor.
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Union Christian Academy
Union Christian Academy
Union Christian Academy is a respected Christian private school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade, located approximately 40 minutes from Midland. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum integrated with biblical worldview education. Facilities include modern academic buildings, science labs, technology centers, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. UCA provides numerous Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges, and a wide range of extracurricular activities including competitive athletics, fine arts programs, and mission trips. The school maintains small class sizes and strong community involvement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Midland, Arkansas
What are the primary private school options available for families in and around Midland, Arkansas?
The immediate Midland area offers a limited number of private institutions, with the most prominent being Union Christian Academy, which serves Pre-K through 12th grade. For a broader selection, families often look to nearby communities. A notable option is Subiaco Academy, located about 30 minutes away in Subiaco, AR, which is a renowned Catholic, college-preparatory boarding and day school for boys in grades 7-12. Another nearby choice is Trinity Junior High School in Fort Smith, approximately a 45-minute drive, serving grades 7-9. The private school landscape in this region of Arkansas is characterized by smaller, often faith-based institutions, requiring some families to consider commuting.
How does tuition at private schools in the Midland, AR area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for private schools in the Midland region is generally below the national average but aligns with rural Arkansas costs. For example, Union Christian Academy's tuition is typically several thousand dollars less per year than larger private schools in metropolitan areas like Little Rock. A significant financial consideration for Arkansas residents is the state's Succeed Scholarship Program, which provides vouchers for students with disabilities to attend a private school. Additionally, the Arkansas Tax Credit Scholarship Program (formerly the Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program) offers income-based scholarships. Individual schools like Subiaco Academy also offer substantial need-based financial aid and merit scholarships, making private education more accessible than the sticker price may suggest.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Midland, Arkansas students?
Private schools in this region often leverage their specific missions to offer distinctive programs. Subiaco Academy, as a Benedictine monastic school, provides a structured residential life program, a strong liberal arts curriculum, and unique offerings like its monastic schola (choir) and extensive outdoor programs. Union Christian Academy emphasizes a Christ-centered education integrated across all subjects and typically offers smaller class sizes for personalized attention. Given the agricultural context of the area, some schools incorporate agriscience or environmental studies. Athletic programs, particularly in basketball, baseball, and track, are also a point of emphasis and community pride at these schools, often competing in the Arkansas Christian School Athletic Association.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like Union Christian Academy or Subiaco Academy for a Midland resident?
The process varies by school but generally starts early in the calendar year for the following fall. For Union Christian Academy, as a local day school, the process often involves an application, submission of records, a family interview, and possibly placement testing, with rolling admissions until classes are full. For Subiaco Academy, the process is more formalized, especially for boarding students. It involves a comprehensive application, academic transcripts, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores (like the SSAT or similar), and an interview. Financial aid applications typically run concurrently. Midland families are advised to initiate inquiries by January, as some grades, particularly at Subiaco, may have limited space. Attending an open house or shadow day is highly encouraged by all schools.
For a family in Midland, what are the key factors in choosing between the local public school district and a private school option?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, individual student needs, and logistical considerations. Midland's public schools are part of the Two Rivers School District, offering a tuition-free education with standardized state curricula. Choosing a private school like Union Christian Academy provides a specific faith-based environment and often smaller class sizes. Opting for a school like Subiaco Academy offers a rigorous college-prep environment and the unique benefit of a boarding school structure, which can be appealing for developing independence. The main trade-offs are cost and commute. Families must weigh the financial investment and potential daily drive to Fort Smith or Subiaco against the desire for a specialized educational approach, religious instruction, or a different social environment that the private options provide.
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