The Best Private Schools in Oark, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oark. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian Schools
Shiloh Christian School is a highly-rated private Christian school located in Springdale, approximately 70 miles from Oark. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on academic excellence and spiritual development. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, technology centers, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. Academic programs include Advanced Placement courses, dual credit options, and specialized tracks in STEM and fine arts. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for strong college placement. Many families from throughout northwest Arkansas choose Shiloh for its academic rigor and comprehensive educational approach.
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Subiaco Academy
Subiaco Abbey and Academy
Subiaco Academy is a prestigious Catholic boarding and day school located approximately 30 miles from Oark. Founded by Benedictine monks, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory education for boys in grades 7-12. The campus features historic buildings, modern academic facilities, athletic complexes, and extensive grounds. Known for its strong academic tradition, the school emphasizes character development, leadership, and spiritual formation. Programs include Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, fine arts, and comprehensive extracurricular activities. The school serves students from throughout the region and maintains small class sizes with personalized attention.
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St. Joseph School
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
St. Joseph School is a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school located in Clarksville, approximately 25 miles from Oark. Serving students from preschool through 6th grade, the school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations. The curriculum emphasizes core subjects, religious education, and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, a library, computer lab, and playground. The school is known for its supportive community, dedicated teachers, and comprehensive approach to education that addresses spiritual, academic, and social development. Many families from surrounding rural areas choose St. Joseph for its quality education and values-based environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oark, Arkansas
What are the realistic private school commuting options for families living in Oark, Arkansas, given the rural setting?
Oark is a very small, rural community in the Ozark Mountains, and there are no private schools physically located within the town itself. Families must be prepared for a significant commute. The nearest options include Subiaco Academy (a Catholic boarding/day school for boys in grades 7-12 in Subiaco, about a 90-minute drive), St. Joseph School (a Catholic K-6 school in nearby Clarksville, roughly a 75-minute drive), and Shiloh Christian School (a Protestant K-12 school in Springdale, over a 2-hour drive). Commuting often involves carpooling with other local families or, for boarding schools like Subiaco, considering a weekly boarding option. This geographic reality is the primary factor in private school selection for Oark residents.
How does the tuition at private schools accessible from Oark, AR, compare to state averages, and are there any Arkansas-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition for schools serving Oark families varies widely. Subiaco Academy's day student tuition is approximately $10,000-$12,000 annually, while Shiloh Christian School's tuition ranges from around $8,500 for elementary to over $10,000 for high school. These are generally in line with or slightly below Arkansas private school averages. Critically, Arkansas has the Succeed Scholarship Program for students with disabilities, which can be used at participating private schools. Additionally, the state's Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program allows for tax credits for donations to organizations that provide private school scholarships. Individual schools also offer need-based aid and parish subsidies (for Catholic schools). Given the added cost of fuel and time for commuting, factoring in total expense is essential.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Oark offer that address both college prep and rural student interests?
Schools in this region often blend rigorous college preparation with programs that resonate with a rural lifestyle. Subiaco Academy offers a strong liberal arts curriculum, Advanced Placement courses, and a distinctive Benedictine values framework, alongside agriculture-related activities and extensive outdoor sports. Shiloh Christian School has a renowned STEM program, competitive athletics, and strong arts, which may appeal to families seeking a comprehensive, faith-based education. St. Joseph School provides a foundational Catholic education with an emphasis on community. For Oark students, these schools offer exposure to broader academic resources, technology, and competitive sports leagues that may not be available in the local public district, while still maintaining values often important to rural families.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Subiaco Academy or Shiloh Christian for an Oark-based student, and how early should we apply?
Due to the commute, planning is crucial. For day schools like Shiloh Christian and St. Joseph, the application process typically begins in the winter (January-February) for the following fall, with deadlines in the spring. Subiaco Academy, as a boarding school, has a more flexible but still structured timeline, with rolling admission but encouragement to apply by early spring. For all schools, the process includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores (if available), and often a family interview. Oark families should initiate contact with admissions offices at least a full year in advance to discuss logistics, placement testing, and potential shadow visit days, which require planning for the long-distance travel.
How do the class sizes and community environment of private schools accessible from Oark compare to the local Johnson County public schools?
The local Oark School District (K-12) is extremely small, often with multi-grade classrooms and a very low student-to-teacher ratio, offering a tight-knit community. In contrast, the private options provide different environments. Subiaco Academy has small classes (around 15:1 student-teacher ratio) but within a larger, structured boarding school community. Shiloh Christian has larger class sizes but more extensive facilities and peer groups. The private school communities are faith-based (Catholic or Protestant) and draw from a wider geographic region, which can expand your child's social network beyond the immediate county. The choice often comes down to prioritizing the deep local familiarity of Oark Public Schools versus seeking a specific religious education and different academic resources, despite the commute.