The Best Private Schools in Pleasant Grove, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Pleasant Grove. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ozark Catholic Academy
Diocese of Little Rock
Ozark Catholic Academy is a premier Catholic high school serving Northwest Arkansas communities including Pleasant Grove. Despite being newer, it has quickly established itself as an academically rigorous institution offering a classical education model rooted in Catholic tradition. The school features a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with emphasis on critical thinking, Western intellectual tradition, and character formation. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and a beautiful campus with modern facilities. The school offers strong STEM programs alongside deep humanities education, competitive athletics, fine arts, and numerous extracurricular activities while maintaining a tight-knit community atmosphere.
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Thaden School
Thaden School
Thaden School is an innovative independent school serving the broader Northwest Arkansas region, including families from Pleasant Grove. Founded with significant philanthropic support, Thaden offers a distinctive educational approach centered around three signature programs: Wheels (mechanical engineering and transportation), Reels (film and digital media), and Meals (food science and agricultural sustainability). The school combines rigorous college preparatory academics with hands-on, project-based learning in a state-of-the-art downtown Bentonville campus. Thaden emphasizes interdisciplinary studies, critical thinking, and community engagement while maintaining small student-teacher ratios. The school has quickly gained recognition for its innovative curriculum, exceptional facilities, and strong college placement record.
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Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving Northwest Arkansas, including the Pleasant Grove area. Founded in 1976, the school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory curriculum. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. Shiloh emphasizes academic excellence with Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and a 100% college acceptance rate. The school maintains small class sizes and integrates Christian values throughout its curriculum, offering extensive extracurricular activities including championship athletic teams, fine arts programs, and community service opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Pleasant Grove, Arkansas
What are the primary private school options serving families in Pleasant Grove, Arkansas, and what are their educational approaches?
While Pleasant Grove itself is a small community, families in the area typically look to nearby cities for private education. The top options include Shiloh Christian School in Springdale (PreK-12, with a nondenominational Christian, college-prep focus), Ozark Catholic Academy in Tontitown (9-12, a classical liberal arts education in the Catholic tradition), and Thaden School in Bentonville (6-12, known for its innovative "wheels, meals, and reals" curriculum integrating practical arts and sciences). Given Pleasant Grove's location in Northwest Arkansas, these schools are within a reasonable commuting distance, offering distinct philosophies to match different family values and student needs.
How does tuition for private schools in the Northwest Arkansas region near Pleasant Grove compare, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition in the region varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Shiloh Christian School's tuition ranges from approximately $9,000 for elementary to over $11,000 for high school. Ozark Catholic Academy's tuition is around $12,000, and Thaden School's is notably higher, exceeding $20,000, reflecting its unique programs and facilities. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and Arkansas residents should also explore the state's Succeed Scholarship Program for students with IEPs and the Arkansas Children's Educational Opportunity Account Program (ACE), which provides vouchers for eligible students to attend private schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Pleasant Grove, AR?
Schools in the region provide specialized programs that leverage Northwest Arkansas's economic and cultural landscape. Thaden School is renowned for its signature programs in bicycling ("wheels"), cooking and food systems ("meals"), and hands-on, community-based projects ("reals"). Ozark Catholic Academy offers a rigorous classical curriculum with a strong emphasis on Great Books, Latin, and philosophy. Shiloh Christian School provides robust STEM courses, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts. For Pleasant Grove families, these programs offer connections to the broader innovation and business community in Benton and Washington counties.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Pleasant Grove, Arkansas area?
The process generally begins a full year in advance. Most schools, like Shiloh Christian and Thaden, open applications in August or September for the following fall, with priority deadlines in January or February. The process involves an online application, submission of records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing, and a family interview or student assessment day. For Ozark Catholic Academy, as a diocesan school, there may be additional requirements regarding faith formation. Due to competitive seats, especially in entry grades, Pleasant Grove parents are advised to start early, attend fall open houses, and inquire about shadow days for their child.
For a family living in Pleasant Grove, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school in Northwest Arkansas?
The decision hinges on several factors specific to the area. The Pleasant Grove community is served by the Rogers Public School District, which offers a well-regarded, tuition-free education. Choosing a private school involves weighing the commute (20-45 minutes to the cited schools), the annual financial investment, and the desire for a specific educational or religious environment. Private options offer smaller class sizes, distinct curricular approaches (classical, innovative, or faith-integrated), and often more intensive college counseling. Parents should consider their child's learning style, the importance of a faith-based education, and whether the specialized programs justify the cost and travel time from their Pleasant Grove home.
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