The Best Private Schools in Tylertown, Mississippi
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Tylertown. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Columbia Academy
Columbia Academy
Columbia Academy is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving students from pre-K through 12th grade. Located approximately 20 miles from Tylertown, it offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses. The school features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and extensive athletic facilities. With a strong emphasis on character development and academic excellence, Columbia Academy has maintained accreditation with the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools and has a proven track record of graduates attending prestigious universities.
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Centreville Academy
Centreville Academy
Centreville Academy is a well-established private school serving students from pre-K through 12th grade, located approximately 15 miles from Tylertown. The school offers a robust academic program with strong STEM emphasis and dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, computer labs, and extensive athletic complexes. Known for its family atmosphere and strong community values, Centreville Academy maintains small class sizes and personalized attention while offering comprehensive extracurricular programs including championship athletic teams and performing arts.
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Silliman Institute
Silliman Institute
Silliman Institute is a highly respected private Christian school located approximately 35 miles from Tylertown in Clinton, Louisiana. Serving students from pre-K through 12th grade, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with multiple Advanced Placement courses and strong fine arts programs. The campus features modern academic buildings, state-of-the-art science and computer labs, and extensive athletic facilities. With a long tradition of academic excellence and character development, Silliman Institute maintains accreditation with multiple regional accrediting bodies and has a strong record of college acceptance for its graduates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Tylertown, Mississippi
What are the primary private school options available for families in Tylertown, Mississippi, and how accessible are they?
While Tylertown itself is a smaller community, families in the area typically look to nearby towns for private K-12 education. The most commonly considered schools are Columbia Academy (in Columbia, MS, about 30 minutes away), Centreville Academy (in Centreville, MS, roughly 40 minutes away), and Silliman Institute (in Clinton, LA, about an hour's drive). These schools provide daily transportation via bus routes for students from Tylertown and surrounding Walthall County, making them accessible options. There are no major private school campuses physically located within Tylertown city limits, so commuting is a standard expectation for private education here.
How does tuition at private schools like Columbia Academy near Tylertown compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for the private schools serving Tylertown is generally below the national private school average but is a significant consideration for Mississippi households. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition for these schools typically ranges from $5,000 to $8,500 annually for K-12 students. Mississippi offers the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which can provide state-funded accounts for eligible students to use for private school tuition and other educational expenses. Additionally, each academy (Columbia, Centreville, Silliman) offers need-based financial aid, sibling discounts, and local scholarship opportunities funded by community foundations and booster clubs specific to the Southwest Mississippi/Northwest Louisiana region.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools accessible from Tylertown offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools in the region emphasize college preparatory tracks, smaller class sizes (often 15:1 student-teacher ratios), and distinct programs. Columbia Academy and Centreville Academy both have strong agricultural science and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs, reflecting the rural character of Mississippi, alongside robust dual-enrollment opportunities with nearby community colleges. Silliman Institute, while in Louisiana, offers a unique boarding option for Mississippi students and a notable fine arts program. All three schools have a focus on Christian values and character education, which is a key differentiator from the Tylertown public school system, and they maintain competitive athletic conferences within the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) or Louisiana equivalent.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a family in Tylertown applying to a school like Centreville Academy or Columbia Academy?
The enrollment process for these schools begins early in the calendar year. Priority re-enrollment for current families usually occurs in January-February, with open enrollment for new families from Tylertown and other areas starting in March. The process involves submitting an application, academic records from the current school (whether Tylertown Elementary or another), standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, and a mandatory family interview. Many families from Tylertown attend open house events held in the fall. Due to limited seats, especially in popular grades, it is highly recommended to apply by April for the following academic year. Some schools may require entrance testing as part of the assessment.
For a Tylertown resident, what are the major practical and cultural considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private academy like those in Columbia or Centreville?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. Practically, choosing a private academy means a daily commute of 30-60 minutes each way, often mitigated by school bus service. Culturally, the private schools offer a consistent, small-community environment often centered around a shared religious faith, which appeals to many families in the Walthall County area. Academically, the private schools typically report higher standardized test scores and near-100% college acceptance rates. In contrast, the Tylertown public schools offer the convenience of proximity, no tuition, and may provide more diverse special education services. The social and athletic rivalries in the MAIS conference are also a significant part of the community fabric for private school families in rural Mississippi.
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