The Best Private Schools in Preston, Mississippi
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Preston. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Starkville Academy
Starkville Academy
Starkville Academy is a highly-regarded private school serving the Preston area and wider region, located approximately 30 minutes away in Starkville. Founded in 1969, this established institution offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses. The school features comprehensive athletic facilities including multiple gymnasiums and sports fields, along with robust fine arts programs in music, theater, and visual arts. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Starkville Academy maintains strong academic standards and high college acceptance rates. The school serves students from preschool through 12th grade and has built a reputation for academic excellence throughout east-central Mississippi.
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New Hope Christian School
New Hope Christian School
New Hope Christian School, located in Columbus approximately 35 minutes from Preston, is a highly-rated private Christian school serving students from multiple counties. Founded in 1983, the school offers a comprehensive educational program from kindergarten through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence within a Christian worldview. The curriculum includes advanced STEM courses, college preparatory classes, and extensive fine arts programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, science and computer labs, athletic fields, and performance spaces. The school is known for its dedicated faculty, strong parent involvement, and successful college placement record, making it a popular choice for families throughout the region.
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Kemper Academy
Kemper Academy
Kemper Academy is an established private school located in De Kalb, Mississippi, approximately 15 minutes from Preston. Founded in 1970, this K-12 institution serves students from Kemper County and surrounding areas with a balanced educational approach that includes college preparatory coursework alongside practical vocational education. The school features modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and technology resources. Kemper Academy emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement and offers diverse extracurricular activities including sports, clubs, and community service opportunities. The school maintains strong community ties and has educated generations of students from the Preston area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Preston, Mississippi
What are the private school options for families living in Preston, Mississippi, and are they located within the town itself?
While Preston itself is a small town, families have several private school options in the surrounding Kemper County and nearby areas. The most prominent local institutions include Kemper Academy in De Kalb and New Hope Christian School in Columbus. For a wider range of curricula and extracurriculars, many Preston families also consider Starkville Academy, located about a 30-minute drive away in Starkville. It's important to note there are no major private school campuses physically located within Preston's town limits, so commuting is a standard expectation. Exploring each school's transportation or carpool options is a key step for Preston residents.
How does tuition at private schools like Kemper Academy or Starkville Academy compare to the Mississippi state average, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for private schools serving the Preston area is generally below the national private school average but aligns with or slightly exceeds the Mississippi state average for private education. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at these schools typically ranges from $5,000 to $9,000 annually. Mississippi offers the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which can provide state-funded accounts for eligible students to use toward private school tuition and other educational expenses. Additionally, most schools, including Kemper Academy and Starkville Academy, offer need-based financial aid, sibling discounts, and payment plans to help make tuition more manageable for Mississippi families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Preston, MS, that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the region emphasize specialized programs that may be limited in smaller public school districts. Starkville Academy offers a strong college-prep curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses and dual-enrollment options with Mississippi State University. Kemper Academy is known for its small class sizes and personalized attention, often incorporating agricultural science and local heritage into its curriculum. New Hope Christian School provides a biblically-integrated education across all subjects. Commonly, these schools offer robust athletics (like six-man football at Kemper Academy), fine arts, and community service programs that are central to the student experience.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Kemper Academy that serve Preston families?
The enrollment process for schools like Kemper Academy and Starkville Academy usually begins in the winter or early spring for the following fall semester. Key steps include: 1) Attending an open house or scheduling a campus tour (often vital for families commuting from Preston). 2) Submitting an application by the priority deadline, typically between January and March. 3) Providing academic records, teacher recommendations, and sometimes undergoing a student assessment or interview. 4) Applying for financial aid or Mississippi ESA funds concurrently. Rolling admissions may continue if spaces remain, but popular grades fill quickly. It's highly recommended to initiate contact with admissions offices by December to ensure you meet all deadlines.
For a family in Preston considering the choice between local public schools and private academies, what are the primary factors to weigh specific to this area?
The decision in the Preston area often centers on school size, curriculum focus, and commute. The public Noxubee County or Kemper County school districts provide a community-based, no-tuition option. In contrast, private schools like Kemper Academy offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), a specific religious or college-prep orientation, and a perceived more structured environment. The commute to a private school is a major practical factor; attending Starkville Academy, for instance, means daily travel to another county. Parents should consider the value of the Mississippi ESA program in offsetting tuition costs versus the time and expense of transportation, and assess which school's culture and academic offerings best align with their child's needs.
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