The Best Private Schools in Summit, Mississippi
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Summit. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Alphonsus Catholic School
Catholic Diocese of Jackson
St. Alphonsus Catholic School serves students from Summit and surrounding Pike County areas with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong community involvement. Programs include advanced mathematics, science labs, music and arts education, and competitive sports teams. The school maintains high parent satisfaction with its balanced approach to spiritual formation and rigorous academic preparation.
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Brookhaven Academy
Independent
Brookhaven Academy serves students from Summit and Lincoln County with a comprehensive K-12 private education program. The school features a strong college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, state-of-the-art facilities including science labs and technology centers, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The campus includes modern athletic facilities, performing arts spaces, and dedicated elementary, middle, and high school divisions. Parent reviews consistently highlight the school's academic rigor, supportive environment, and successful college placement record.
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Parklane Academy
Independent
Parklane Academy provides private education to students from Summit and the greater Pike County area from Pre-K through 12th grade. The school offers a robust college preparatory curriculum with dual enrollment opportunities through local colleges, advanced placement courses, and comprehensive fine arts programs. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. The school is known for its strong athletic programs, individualized attention, and commitment to developing well-rounded students prepared for higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Summit, Mississippi
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Summit, Mississippi?
Summit itself is a small town, so most private school options are located in nearby communities. The most prominent are St. Alphonsus Catholic School in McComb (just north of Summit), Brookhaven Academy in Brookhaven (about a 20-minute drive west), and Parklane Academy in McComb. These schools serve the broader Pike County and Southwest Mississippi region. For Summit residents, this means commuting is a standard part of the private school choice, with each school offering distinct educational philosophies—parochial, independent Christian, and non-denominational college-prep, respectively.
How does tuition at private schools in the Summit, MS area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for the schools serving Summit tends to be below the national private school average but is a significant consideration for local families. For the 2024-2025 school year, annual K-12 tuition at these academies generally ranges from $5,000 to $8,500. Mississippi offers the Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs (EOSS) program, a state-funded ESA (Education Scholarship Account), which can provide financial assistance to eligible students with an IEP attending a participating private school. Additionally, most local schools, including St. Alphonsus, Brookhaven Academy, and Parklane Academy, offer their own need-based financial aid, scholarships, and multi-child discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Summit, Mississippi, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Summit area often leverage their smaller size to offer specialized programs. Parklane Academy is known for a strong college-prep curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a dedicated focus on fine arts and athletics. Brookhaven Academy emphasizes a Christian worldview integrated across subjects and offers robust agricultural science and FFA programs, reflecting the region's heritage. St. Alphonsus provides a faith-based education with Spanish instruction from an early grade level. All three typically offer more extensive competitive sports (like MAIS league athletics), band, and drama programs relative to the smaller public schools in the immediate Summit area.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools like Parklane Academy or Brookhaven Academy for a family moving to Summit?
The enrollment process for these sought-after academies is competitive and should be initiated early. The primary enrollment period for the following academic year typically opens in January or February, with re-enrollment for current families taking precedence. For new families in Summit, the process involves submitting an application, academic records, standardized test scores, and often requiring an entrance exam (for upper grades) and a family interview. Waiting lists are common, especially for lower grades. It is highly advisable to contact the admissions office by the fall prior to the desired enrollment year. Some schools may host open houses in the autumn, which are excellent opportunities for Summit parents to visit.
For a family in Summit, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (North Pike School District) and a private academy?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific program offerings. The North Pike School District provides a quality public education with no tuition. However, private academies near Summit offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students vs. 25+), more individualized attention, and a specific religious or values-based foundation if desired. The private school community can be very tight-knit, a plus for some families. Conversely, private schools require tuition, a commute to McComb or Brookhaven, and may have fewer resources for specialized special education services compared to the public district. Parents should consider their child's learning style, the importance of faith integration, and their budget for tuition and transportation.
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