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.
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