The Best Private Schools in Roland, Arkansas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Roland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Subiaco Academy
Subiaco Abbey and Academy
Subiaco Academy is a prestigious Catholic college preparatory school located approximately 30 miles from Roland. Founded by Benedictine monks, it offers both day and boarding programs for boys in grades 7-12. The school features a rigorous academic curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive athletic programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. Known for its strong community values and character development, Subiaco maintains small class sizes with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio and has a 100% college acceptance rate. The 130-acre campus includes modern academic facilities, athletic complexes, and residential accommodations.
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Trinity Junior High School
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Located in nearby Fort Smith, Trinity Junior High School serves students in grades 7-9 with a comprehensive Catholic education. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, offering a strong college preparatory curriculum with advanced mathematics and science programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, a library, and athletic facilities. Trinity is known for its strong community involvement, character education, and personalized attention with small class sizes. The school maintains high academic standards while providing a well-rounded education through sports, clubs, and service opportunities.
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Pulaski Academy
Pulaski Academy Schools
Pulaski Academy is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Located in Little Rock, it serves families throughout central Arkansas, including the Roland area. The school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, with a particular strength in STEM education through its dedicated STEM Academy. The 40-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. Pulaski Academy is renowned for its academic rigor, with 100% of graduates attending four-year colleges and universities, and consistently ranks among Arkansas's top private schools.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Roland, Arkansas
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Roland, Arkansas?
While Roland itself is a small community, families have access to several notable private institutions in the surrounding Pulaski County area. The most prominent are Subiaco Academy (a Catholic, co-ed boarding and day school for grades 7-12 in Subiaco, about a 90-minute drive), Trinity Junior High School (a Christian school in nearby Pine Bluff), and Pulaski Academy (a prestigious independent college-preparatory day school in Little Rock, roughly a 20-minute drive from Roland). For Roland residents, daily commuting to schools in the Little Rock metro area is common. There are very few, if any, private schools physically located within Roland's town limits.
How does tuition for private schools in the Roland, AR, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school. Pulaski Academy, as a top-tier independent school, has tuition that can exceed $20,000 annually for upper grades, which is above the Arkansas private school average. Subiaco Academy's boarding tuition is higher, but its day student tuition is more moderate. Arkansas offers the Succeed Scholarship Program for students with disabilities, and many schools offer need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Importantly, Arkansas also has the Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program, a tax-credit scholarship that can help eligible families afford private school tuition, which is a key state-specific consideration for Roland parents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Roland students?
Schools serving the Roland area provide distinct specializations. Pulaski Academy is renowned for its mandatory laptop program, strong STEM curriculum, and consistent top rankings in Arkansas. It also offers a wide array of athletics and arts. Subiaco Academy provides a unique Benedictine boarding school experience with a focus on character formation, and it's one of the only schools in the state offering a residential option. Trinity Junior High offers a faith-based education with a smaller community feel. For Roland families, a major consideration is access to these specialized programs that may not be available in smaller local public districts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Pulaski Academy that Roland families consider?
For competitive schools like Pulaski Academy, planning well ahead is crucial. The process typically begins a full year before desired entry. Applications for the following fall often open in August or September, with deadlines in January or February. The process includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing (like the ISEE or SSAT), and a family interview. Many schools host open houses in the fall. For Roland families, it's important to factor in commute times during the visit and interview process. Subiaco Academy has its own timeline, especially for boarding applicants, and may involve a campus visit/overnight stay.
How do the educational environments of private schools near Roland compare to the local public schools in the Roland-Smith School District?
The Roland-Smith School District is a small, rural public district. Private options like those in Little Rock offer significantly different environments: larger student populations, more diverse course offerings (including extensive AP courses), and greater resources for facilities and extracurriculars. The trade-off involves cost, commute, and community connection. A private school commute from Roland to Little Rock can be 20-45 minutes, which is a daily consideration versus a very short trip to the local public school. Private schools also have selective admissions and often smaller class sizes than Arkansas public school averages, providing more individualized attention but within a more competitive and less geographically localized setting.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Fit: A Guide to Private Special Education Schools Near Roland, Arkansas
If you’re a parent in Roland, Arkansas, searching for “private special education schools near me,” you are likely navigating a complex and deeply personal journey. Finding the right educational environment for a child with unique learning needs requires careful consideration, and while Roland itself is a small, close-knit community within the larger Central Arkansas region, your search may naturally extend to nearby areas to find the specialized resources your child deserves. It’s important to begin by understanding the landscape of private education here. Roland is home to esteemed institutions like Subiaco Academy, Trinity Junior High School, and Pulaski Academy, each offering robust academic programs. However, when it comes to specialized, dedicated special education programs, parents often find they need to look at schools with a focused therapeutic or individualized learning model, which may be located in neighboring communities such as Little Rock, Conway, or Fort Smith.
The phrase “private special education schools near me” signifies a desire for both proximity and highly tailored support. For Roland families, this means evaluating not just the drive time—perhaps 30 to 45 minutes to larger metropolitan hubs—but also the philosophy and services of each school. Many excellent private schools in the area, including some of those you know locally, may offer learning support services, accommodations, or smaller class sizes that can benefit students with mild to moderate learning differences. It is crucial to have direct conversations with admissions directors at schools like Pulaski Academy or Subiaco Academy to discuss their specific student support systems, the training of their staff, and their experience in creating individualized success plans. These conversations can reveal whether a traditional private school can meet your child’s needs or if a school exclusively dedicated to special education is the better path.
Your search should also connect you with local networks. Reaching out to the Roland School District’s special education coordinators can provide referrals, as they are familiar with private options in the region. Additionally, connecting with Arkansas support organizations, such as The Arc Arkansas or Disability Rights Arkansas, can offer guidance and school recommendations. Visiting potential schools is non-negotiable. Observe the classroom dynamics, ask about teacher-to-student ratios, and inquire about integrated therapies like speech or occupational therapy that might be offered on-site. For many Roland parents, finding the right fit becomes a balance between the community feel of a smaller town and accessing the specialized resources of a larger center.
Remember, the goal is to find a place where your child is understood, challenged appropriately, and can thrive socially and academically. While the perfect private special education school might not be within Roland’s immediate city limits, the broader Central Arkansas area holds several reputable options. Your proactive search, fueled by local insights and a clear understanding of your child’s unique profile, is the most important step. By leveraging both the strong foundational private schools in your community and exploring specialized institutions a short drive away, you can make an informed decision that provides your child with a supportive and empowering educational journey right here in your own region.
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