The Best Private Schools in Mounds, Oklahoma
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Mounds. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Monte Cassino School
Catholic Diocese of Tulsa
Monte Cassino School is a highly-regarded Catholic independent school serving the greater Tulsa area, including Mounds. Founded by the Benedictine Sisters, the school offers a rigorous classical education from pre-K through 8th grade. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports, robotics, drama, and community service opportunities.
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Holland Hall School
Independent School
Holland Hall is a prestigious independent college preparatory school serving the Tulsa metropolitan area, including families from Mounds. The school offers comprehensive education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with a challenging academic curriculum. Features include advanced STEM facilities, extensive arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The 162-acre campus includes modern classrooms, science centers, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small student-teacher ratios and has a strong track record of college placements.
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Riverfield Country Day School
Independent School
Riverfield Country Day School is an independent school serving the greater Tulsa region, including Mounds families. The school offers a progressive educational approach from early childhood through high school, combining rigorous academics with character development. The campus features extensive outdoor learning spaces, modern STEM labs, and athletic facilities. Riverfield emphasizes hands-on learning, environmental education, and community engagement. The school maintains small class sizes and offers diverse extracurricular activities including robotics, arts, and competitive sports programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Mounds, Oklahoma
What are the realistic private school options for families living in Mounds, Oklahoma, given that the top-named schools are in Tulsa?
For families residing in Mounds, OK, the most accessible and highly-regarded private schools are located in the greater Tulsa area, approximately a 20-30 minute commute. These include Monte Cassino School (Catholic, PK-8), Holland Hall School (Episcopal, PK-12), and Riverfield Country Day School (independent, PK-12). There are very few, if any, private school institutions physically within the town limits of Mounds itself. Therefore, parents should plan for transportation and consider the daily commute to Tulsa as part of their school selection process. It's also advisable to research carpool options with other Mounds families.
How does the tuition at Tulsa-area private schools compare to the cost of living in Mounds, Oklahoma, and are there financial aid options for commuting families?
Tuition for schools like Holland Hall, Monte Cassino, and Riverfield can range from approximately $15,000 to over $25,000 per year, which is a significant investment relative to the median household income and cost of living in Mounds, OK. However, these schools typically offer robust need-based financial aid and merit scholarship programs for qualifying families. Importantly, Oklahoma also has the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship program, which provides tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, increasing the availability of funds for private school tuition. Commuting families from Mounds should factor in fuel costs but may find the aid options make these schools more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs might attract a Mounds family to a Tulsa private school, and how do they differ from local public offerings?
Tulsa-area private schools offer specialized programs that may not be available in Mounds Public Schools due to scale and funding. For example, Holland Hall has extensive advanced placement and global studies programs, Monte Cassino emphasizes a structured liberal arts curriculum with strong fine arts, and Riverfield offers a distinctive project-based learning environment. All three typically have smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and extensive extracurriculars like robotics, competitive athletics, and specialized arts. For a Mounds family, these programs provide access to a breadth of opportunities that complement a more rural home life with a robust, city-based educational experience.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a family from Mounds applying to a competitive Tulsa private school like Holland Hall?
The enrollment process for top Tulsa private schools is competitive and begins early. For a fall start, applications often open in August or September of the prior year, with deadlines typically between January and February. The process usually includes a completed application, student assessments or entrance exams, school records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and a student visit day. As a family from Mounds, it's crucial to initiate contact with the admissions office well in advance—often 12-18 months before desired enrollment—to understand specific requirements and demonstrate commitment despite the commute. Many schools host open houses in the fall, which are highly recommended for Mounds parents to attend.
For a family rooted in Mounds, what are the community and cultural considerations when choosing a private school in Tulsa?
Choosing a Tulsa private school while living in Mounds involves balancing two communities. Your child will likely form their primary social and activity-based friendships within the school community in Tulsa, which may require extra effort for playdates and weekend activities. However, they will maintain their neighborhood community in Mounds. Culturally, these schools often have diverse student bodies and global perspectives that differ from the more homogeneous environment of a small Oklahoma town. This can be a tremendous benefit, but parents should be prepared to facilitate conversations about these differences. Furthermore, being involved as a parent requires a commitment to driving for events, games, and parent-teacher conferences, making time management and communication key.