The Best Private Schools in Crawford, Mississippi
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Crawford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Heritage Academy
Heritage Academy
Heritage Academy is a highly-regarded private school located approximately 15 miles from Crawford in Columbus. Established in 1970, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program with rigorous academics, including multiple Advanced Placement courses. The campus features modern facilities with state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, and athletic complexes. Heritage Academy maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, ensuring personalized attention. The school offers extensive extracurricular activities including championship athletic teams, fine arts programs, and various clubs. Parents consistently praise the school's strong academic foundation, dedicated faculty, and supportive community environment.
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Annunciation Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Jackson
Annunciation Catholic School serves students from Crawford and surrounding communities from pre-K through 8th grade. Founded in 1956, this established institution provides a faith-based education integrated with strong academic programming. The school features a comprehensive curriculum including specialized STEM programs, language arts, and religious education. Facilities include modern classrooms, a chapel, library, and playground areas. The school community is known for its family atmosphere and strong parent involvement. Annunciation emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with many graduates continuing to excel at local private high schools. Parent reviews highlight the caring faculty, safe environment, and well-rounded education.
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New Hope Christian School
New Hope Christian Church
New Hope Christian School offers private Christian education for students in grades K-12, serving families from Crawford and the greater Lowndes County area. Founded in 1999, the school provides a biblically integrated curriculum with college preparatory focus. The academic program includes honors courses, dual enrollment opportunities, and comprehensive standardized test preparation. The campus features well-maintained facilities including technology-enhanced classrooms, science labs, and athletic fields. The school maintains small class sizes with individualized attention and offers diverse extracurricular activities including sports teams, music programs, and mission opportunities. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's spiritual foundation, academic rigor, and supportive community environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Crawford, Mississippi
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Crawford, Mississippi?
For families in Crawford, MS, the primary private school options are Heritage Academy, Annunciation Catholic School, and New Hope Christian School. Heritage Academy, located in Columbus, is a well-established college-preparatory school serving grades K-12. Annunciation Catholic School, also in Columbus, offers a faith-based education from Pre-K through 8th grade. New Hope Christian School, situated in the nearby community of Columbus, provides a Protestant Christian education. Given Crawford's smaller size, most private schooling requires a commute to the greater Columbus area, making transportation an important local consideration.
How does tuition for private schools in the Crawford, MS area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Crawford/Columbus area is generally below the national average but aligns with regional Mississippi costs. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $5,000 to $10,000 annually, with elementary grades at the lower end and high school at the higher end. Financial aid is available, primarily through need-based scholarships and parish subsidies for Annunciation Catholic School. Heritage Academy and others often offer sibling discounts and have scholarship funds supported by local community foundations. Mississippi also has no state-sponsored voucher or tax-credit scholarship program, so most aid is directly from the schools or private scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Crawford, Mississippi, offer that distinguish them from local public schools?
Private schools near Crawford leverage smaller class sizes to offer distinctive programs. Heritage Academy is known for its strong college-prep curriculum, Advanced Placement courses, and competitive athletics in the MAIS (Mississippi Association of Independent Schools). Annunciation Catholic School integrates Catholic values throughout its curriculum and offers sacramental preparation. New Hope Christian School emphasizes biblical integration in all subjects. A common advantage in this area is the ability to maintain specific religious or pedagogical identities, such as classical education elements or structured discipline policies, which may differ from the Crawford public school district's offerings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Crawford, Mississippi families?
The enrollment process for schools like Heritage Academy, Annunciation, and New Hope Christian School usually begins in January or February for the following fall. Priority is often given to re-enrolling students and siblings, so applying early is crucial for Crawford residents seeking a spot. The process typically involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often an entrance assessment or student interview. Some schools may have rolling admission if space permits. Given the limited seats in these popular local institutions, attending an open house (commonly held in the fall) is highly recommended to understand each school's community and expectations.
For a family in Crawford, what are the key factors in choosing between the local public school district and a private school in the Columbus area?
The decision often hinges on several Crawford-specific factors. The primary consideration is commute, as choosing a private school means daily travel to Columbus. Academically, parents may seek the specialized college-prep focus of Heritage Academy or the faith-based environment of the other schools, which the public district does not provide. Extracurricular opportunities, particularly in athletics and arts, can differ in scale and competition level between the private MAIS league and the public MHSAA. Finally, cost is a significant factor, as families must weigh tuition against the no-cost public option, considering the value of smaller class sizes and specific educational philosophies available in the private schools serving the area.
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