Best private high schools in Arkansas
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a ’96 commencement address at Wellesley College, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” If that’s the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It’s a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Arkansas using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
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#30. Abundant Life School
– Location: Sherwood, AR
– Enrollment: 268 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B
#29. Grand Prairie Evangelical Methodist School
– Location: Stuttgart, AR
– Enrollment: 29 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+
#28. Valley Christian School
– Location: Russellville, AR
– Enrollment: 143 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+
#27. St. Joseph School
– Location: Conway, AR
– Enrollment: 492 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+
#26. West Memphis Christian School
– Location: West Memphis, AR
– Enrollment: 133 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+
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#25. Crowley’s Ridge Academy
– Location: Paragould, AR
– Enrollment: 325 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+
#24. The New School
– Location: Fayetteville, AR
– Enrollment: 439 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+
#23. Gospel Light Christian School
– Location: Hot Springs National Park, AR
– Enrollment: 110 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+
#22. Trinity Christian School
– Location: Texarkana, AR
– Enrollment: 242 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+
#21. Conway Christian School
– Location: Conway, AR
– Enrollment: 509 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
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#20. Mountain Home Christian Academy
– Location: Mountain Home, AR
– Enrollment: 176 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#19. The Baptist Preparatory School
– Location: Little Rock, AR
– Enrollment: 409 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#18. Crosspointe Preparatory
– Location: Searcy, AR
– Enrollment: 92 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#17. Ridgefield Christian School
– Location: Jonesboro, AR
– Enrollment: 202 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#16. Providence Classical Christian Academy
– Location: Rogers, AR
– Enrollment: 562 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
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#15. Ozark Adventist Academy
– Location: Gentry, AR
– Enrollment: 118 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#14. Catholic High School for Boys
– Location: Little Rock, AR
– Enrollment: 728 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#13. Harding Academy
– Location: Searcy, AR
– Enrollment: 649 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#12. West Side Christian School
– Location: El Dorado, AR
– Enrollment: 156 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#11. Columbia Christian School
– Location: Magnolia, AR
– Enrollment: 232 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
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#10. Fayetteville Christian School
– Location: Fayetteville, AR
– Enrollment: 154 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#9. Mount St. Mary Academy
– Location: Little Rock, AR
– Enrollment: 481 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#8. Central Arkansas Christian Schools
– Location: North Little Rock, AR
– Enrollment: 803 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#7. Union Christian Academy
– Location: Fort Smith, AR
– Enrollment: 305 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#6. Little Rock Christian Academy
– Location: Little Rock, AR
– Enrollment: 1,446 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
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#5. Shiloh Christian School
– Location: Springdale, AR
– Enrollment: 1,475 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#4. The Episcopal Collegiate School
– Location: Little Rock, AR
– Enrollment: 764 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Pulaski Academy
– Location: Little Rock, AR
– Enrollment: 1,323 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. Subiaco Academy
– Location: Subiaco, AR
– Enrollment: 144 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Thaden School
– Location: Bentonville, AR
– Enrollment: 340 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
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By Stacker
