The Best Private Schools in T A F B, Oklahoma
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in T A F B. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mount St. Mary High School
Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Mount St. Mary High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the greater Oklahoma City area, including Tinker AFB families. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 19 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school provides personalized attention and strong college counseling. The campus features modern science labs, athletic facilities, and technology integration throughout. Military families appreciate the supportive community and transportation options from surrounding areas.
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Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School is a distinguished college preparatory school serving the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, including military families from Tinker AFB. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and outstanding fine arts facilities including a state-of-the-art performing arts center. With a commitment to faith formation and academic excellence, the school maintains a 99% college acceptance rate. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, athletic complexes, and extensive technology resources to support student learning and development.
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Harding Charter Preparatory High School
Oklahoma City Public Schools (Charter)
Harding Charter Preparatory is a highly-rated public charter school with a rigorous college preparatory curriculum that serves students from across Oklahoma County, including Tinker AFB. The school offers both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs, with 100% of graduates accepted to colleges and universities. Known for its academic excellence, the school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong extracurricular programs including robotics, debate, and athletics. The school has received numerous state and national recognitions for academic achievement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in T A F B, Oklahoma
What are the primary private high school options available for families in or near Tinker Air Force Base (T A F B), Oklahoma?
The immediate Tinker AFB area in Oklahoma City is served by several highly-regarded private high schools, with the most prominent being Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, Mount St. Mary High School, and Harding Charter Preparatory High School. Bishop McGuinness and Mount St. Mary are Catholic, co-educational institutions offering college-prep curricula and extensive extracurriculars. Harding Charter Prep is a public charter school with a rigorous, advanced placement-focused program, which, while not private in the tuition-based sense, is a sought-after alternative to standard district schools. For families stationed at T A F B, these schools offer structured environments and are accessible from base housing and surrounding suburbs like Midwest City and Edmond.
How does tuition for private schools near Tinker AFB, OK, compare to state averages, and are there financial aid options for military families?
Tuition for private high schools like Bishop McGuinness and Mount St. Mary near Tinker AFB typically ranges from approximately $10,000 to $12,000 per year, which is generally in line with or slightly above the Oklahoma state average for private secondary education. Both Catholic schools offer need-based financial aid, and many have specific scholarship programs. Military families stationed at T A F B should inquire about diocesan or school-specific discounts for service members. Additionally, Oklahoma does not have a state-funded voucher program for private school tuition, so exploring aid directly through the schools and military support organizations is crucial for managing costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Tinker AFB offer that align with a STEM-focused community?
Reflecting the high-tech environment of Tinker Air Force Base, area private schools have developed strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives. Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School features a robust engineering program and competitive robotics team. Mount St. Mary High School offers advanced science and math courses and has partnerships with local universities. Harding Charter Preparatory High School, known for its AP-centric model, provides deep dives into computer science and calculus. These programs are particularly appealing to T A F B families with ties to aerospace, engineering, and logistics, providing a seamless academic connection to the local defense industry.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools in the Tinker AFB area, and how should military families plan for PCS moves?
The enrollment process for schools like Bishop McGuinness and Mount St. Mary near Tinker AFB usually begins in the fall for the following academic year, with application deadlines often in January or February. This includes submitting transcripts, standardized test scores, recommendations, and sometimes attending an interview. For military families undergoing a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to or from T A F B outside this window, it is critical to contact the school's admissions office directly. These schools are generally accustomed to working with military families and may have flexible mid-year enrollment procedures, but spaces are subject to availability. Starting communication as soon as orders are received is highly advised.
How do the private and public school options in the Tinker AFB area compare in terms of college preparation and campus culture?
In the Tinker AFB area, families often compare top-rated public schools in the Midwest City or Edmond districts with private options like Bishop McGuinness and Mount St. Mary. The private schools typically offer smaller class sizes, a strong emphasis on moral or religious formation, and a consistent college-preparatory curriculum across all students. Public schools, including high-performing charters like Harding Charter Prep, offer strong academics with no tuition but can have larger student bodies. The culture at Catholic schools is often characterized by community service and faith integration, while the culture is highly academic and structured at Harding. The choice often hinges on a family's priorities for values-based education, specific academic intensity, and budget, with all options providing pathways to college.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Autism Support: Top Private Schools Near Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
If you are a parent in Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, searching for "private schools for autism near me," you are likely navigating a complex and deeply personal journey. The quest for the right educational environment for a child on the autism spectrum requires careful consideration of academic structure, therapeutic support, and a nurturing community. While the T A F B area is home to several excellent traditional private schools like Mount St. Mary High School, Harding Charter Preparatory High School, and Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, it's important to understand that these institutions typically serve general education populations. Your search may therefore require looking at specialized programs within private settings or dedicated schools in the broader Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
The first step is to clarify your child's specific needs. Some students on the spectrum thrive in a mainstream private school with robust support systems, while others benefit more from a specialized environment designed entirely around neurodiverse learning. For families considering a mainstream path, it is crucial to directly contact admissions offices at local private schools. Inquire in detail about their experience with neurodiverse learners, the availability of on-site learning specialists, their approach to individualized accommodations, and the overall culture of inclusion. A school's willingness to have a detailed conversation about your child's unique profile is often a strong indicator of their capacity to provide meaningful support.
However, the immediate T A F B vicinity has a more concentrated offering of specialized services through public school IEP programs and private therapeutic centers rather than dedicated private autism schools. Your most promising leads will likely be found in nearby Oklahoma City and its suburbs. There are exceptional private schools and learning centers in the OKC metro that specialize in serving students with autism and related learning differences. These institutions often feature low student-to-teacher ratios, integrated speech and occupational therapy, social skills curricula, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles woven into the academic day. The commute from Tinker AFB to these specialized programs is generally manageable, making them a viable "near me" option for dedicated care.
As a military family, you also have unique considerations. The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) can be a vital resource for navigating educational and therapeutic services during your assignment here. Connecting with other families on base or through local support groups, such as those affiliated with the Oklahoma Autism Network, can provide invaluable word-of-mouth recommendations. They can share firsthand experiences about which private school environments or specialized programs in the region have been most effective. Remember, the right fit is about more than just curriculum; it's about finding a community where your child feels understood, challenged, and safe. While the perfect private school for autism may not be within the Tinker AFB gate, a supportive and effective educational setting is absolutely within reach in the greater Oklahoma City area with diligent research and advocacy.