The Best Private Schools in Perryville, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Perryville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mount St. Mary Academy
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Mount St. Mary Academy is a highly-regarded all-girls Catholic college preparatory school serving central Arkansas. With a 100% college acceptance rate, the school offers rigorous academic programs including Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM education, and extensive fine arts offerings. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and emphasizes leadership development and community service.
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St. Joseph School
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
St. Joseph School in Conway provides a comprehensive Catholic education from Pre-K through 8th grade, serving families throughout central Arkansas including Perryville. The school emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and character development. Features include modern classrooms, technology integration, art and music programs, and extended care options. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community partnerships, with many graduates continuing to top private high schools in the region.
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Pulaski Academy
Independent
Pulaski Academy is a prestigious independent college preparatory school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Known for its academic rigor and innovative programs, the school offers extensive Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, and diverse extracurricular activities. The 70-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology centers, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school maintains a strong college counseling program with graduates regularly accepted to top universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Perryville, Arkansas
What are the realistic private school options for families living in Perryville, Arkansas, given that the top-named schools are in other cities?
For families in Perryville, AR, true local private K-12 options are extremely limited. The schools often listed (like Mount St. Mary Academy, St. Joseph School, and Pulaski Academy) are located in Little Rock, over 50 miles away, making them impractical for daily commuting. Your primary local option is likely Perryville Elementary School (public) or Perryville High School (public). For a private education, families typically must consider a significant commute to Conway or Little Rock, or explore homeschooling co-ops. It's crucial to verify a school's physical location and transportation logistics when researching "Arkansas private schools" from Perryville.
How does the tuition for central Arkansas private schools compare, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs for Perryville residents?
Tuition for the premier private schools in Little Rock (like Pulaski Academy or Mount St. Mary) can range from approximately $12,000 to $20,000+ annually for upper grades. For Perryville families, this cost is compounded by daily transportation expenses. Arkansas offers the Succeed Scholarship Program for students with disabilities, which can be used at participating private schools. More broadly, many private schools offer their own need-based financial aid. However, Arkansas does not have a broad-based voucher or tax-credit scholarship program for general students, making personal financial planning and direct aid from the schools themselves the primary avenues for assistance.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs might be available to a Perryville student willing to commute to a Little Rock-area private school?
A commute to a Little Rock private school opens access to programs not available in Perryville's public system. These can include robust college preparatory Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) tracks, specialized STEM labs, extensive fine arts departments with theater productions, and competitive athletic conferences. For example, Pulaski Academy is known for its entrepreneurship program and "no-punt" football philosophy, while Mount St. Mary offers strong all-girls leadership programs. The trade-off is a substantial daily time commitment (2+ hours in the car) for the student and family.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for Perryville students applying to competitive private schools in Little Rock?
The process for Perryville students mirrors that of in-district applicants but requires extra planning for travel. Key steps typically include: 1) Attending open houses or virtual tours in the fall (often October-November), which may require a long drive. 2) Submitting applications by January or February for the following academic year. 3) Scheduling and traveling for student entrance exams/interviews, usually in winter. 4) Applying for financial aid concurrently (using platforms like SSS). It's critical to initiate contact early, be transparent about your location, and discuss logistics for potential shadow days. Waiting lists are common, so having a solid local backup plan is essential.
For a family in Perryville, what are the main considerations when comparing the local public school district to undertaking a private school commute?
The decision hinges on weighing community convenience against specialized offerings. Perryville Public Schools offer the benefit of a short commute, deep local community ties, and no tuition. The private school option in Little Rock provides potentially smaller class sizes, distinct religious or pedagogical philosophies (e.g., Catholic education at St. Joseph, college-prep focus at Pulaski Academy), and a wider array of advanced courses and activities. The major cons are the significant daily time/cost of commuting and being disconnected from the local Perryville peer community. Many families choose to utilize Perryville schools through middle school and then re-evaluate for high school, when academic specialization and college preparation become greater priorities.