Private School Review - Established 2003
Christ Little Rock School Top 7 · Lowest Acceptance Rate (AR)
St. James Day School Top 16 · Highest % Faculty w/ Adv. Degrees (AR)
Shiloh Christian School Top 3 · Lowest Tuition (AR)

Best Arkansas Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 184 private schools serving 29,900 students in Arkansas, versus 1,099 public schools serving 490,105 students (6% of K-12 students attend private schools, vs. national average 10%).
The average private school tuition is $9,051 for elementary schools and $8,852 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
80% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Baptist or Christian.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 184
  • # Students Served: 29,900
  • Average Tuition: $9,358
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 26%
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Average Class Size: 13 students
  • % Students of Color: 22%
  • View Arkansas School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 184
  • # Students Served: 29,900
  • Average Tuition: $9,358
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 26%
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Average Class Size: 13 students
  • % Students of Color: 22%
  • View Arkansas School Trends

Top Ranked Arkansas Private Schools (2026-27)

Map of Abundant Life Christian Academy
Abundant Life Christian Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 415 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 12 | Extracurriculars: 5
Baptist
9200 Highway 107
Sherwood, AR 72120
(501) 835-3120
(4)
View Profile
Map of Christ The King Catholic School
Christ The King Catholic School
Gr: PK-5 | 299 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
Extracurriculars: 6
Catholic
1918 S Greenwood Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 782-0614
View Profile
Crowley's Ridge Academy Photo
Crowley's Ridge Academy
Gr: PK-12
Avg. class size: 22 students
Sports: 9 | Extracurriculars: 10
Church of Christ
606 Academy Dr
Paragould, AR 72450
(870) 236-6908
View Profile
First Academy Photo
First Academy
Gr: PK-5 | 173 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
Extracurriculars: 3
Baptist
3364 W Pleasant Grove Rd
Rogers, AR 72758
(479) 878-1052
(1)
View Profile
Map of Gospel Light Christian School
Gospel Light Christian School
Gr: PK-12 | 112 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 3
Baptist
600 Garland Avenue
Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913
(501) 321-4871
(2)
View Profile
Harvest Time Academy Photo
Harvest Time Academy
Gr: NS-5 | 254 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Extracurriculars: 4
Christian
3300 Briar Cliff Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-6003
View Profile
Holy Souls Catholic School Photo
Holy Souls Catholic School
Gr: PK-8
Catholic
1001 N Tyler St
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 663-4513
(1)
View Profile
Map of Immaculate Conception School
Immaculate Conception School
Gr: PK-8 | 329 students
Sports: 7 | Extracurriculars: 9
Catholic
7000 John F Kennedy Blvd
North Little Rock, AR 72116
(501) 835-0771
View Profile
Little Rock Christian Academy Photo
Little Rock Christian Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 1,534 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 16 | Extracurriculars: 7
19010 Cantrell Road
Little Rock, AR 72223
(501) 868-9822
View Profile
Mt. St. Mary Academy Photo
Mt. St. Mary Academy
Gr: 9-12 | 446 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
All-girls (Catholic)
3224 Kavanaugh Blvd
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 664-8006
(1)
View Profile
Show 10 more private schools in Arkansas (out of 184 total schools)
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Arkansas Private School Trends (10-Year)

184
Private Schools
-3.7% (-7 schools) 10-yr
29,900
Students
+2.2% (+639 students) 10-yr
$9,358
Avg. Tuition
+71.0% (+$3,885) 10-yr
13
Avg. Class Size
-7.1% (-1 student) 10-yr
22%
Students of Color
+37.5% (+6.0 pp) 10-yr
12:1
Student-Teacher Ratio
+9.1% (+1.0) 10-yr
Enrollment & Diversity
Category
This State (AR)
US
# Schools
184 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

Year(AR) Total Schools
2025184
2024191
2023189
2022170
2021175
2020185
2019187
2018191
2017180
2016182
2015191
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# Students
29,900 Students
5,690,765 Students

View Largest Arkansas Private Schools

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
2025169179
2024162172
2023158174
2022159185
2021162180
2020154171
2019166175
2018162172
2017169180
2016166178
2015155167
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% Average Students of Color
22%
34%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
202521%34%
202422%34%
202320%33%
202218%33%
202118%32%
202019%32%
201914%31%
201814%31%
201717%32%
201617%32%
201516%32%
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Student By Grade

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends

GradeArkansas
Nursey503
Pre-K5,687
Kind2,448
11,887
21,928
31,810
41,763
51,896
61,710
71,721
81,782
91,689
101,613
111,488
121,467
Not Listed508
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Academics
# Teachers
2,467 Teachers
508,570 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
202512:111:1
202412:111:1
202311:111:1
202211:111:1
202112:111:1
202011:112:1
201911:112:1
201811:112:1
201711:112:1
201611:112:1
201511:112:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
43%
55%

View Arkansas Private Schools with the Most Educated Faculty

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2015-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
202543%55%
202444%54%
202345%54%
202246%54%
202146%54%
202042%54%
201945%53%
201844%53%
201745%53%
201639%52%
201535%52%
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Average Class Size
13 students
15 students

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
20251315
20241315
20231315
20221315
20211315
20201315
20191315
20181315
20171415
20161315
20151415
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Average Number of AP Courses
21 courses
13 courses

View Arkansas Private Schools Offering the Most AP Courses

Trends in Average Number of AP Courses Offered

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
20252213
20191111
20181111
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Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
26

View Average Private School ACT Scores in Arkansas

ACT Score Trends (2015-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
20252526
20242526
20232526
20222526
20212526
20202425
20192525
20182425
20172525
20162425
20152425
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Tuition & Aid
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$9,358
$14,943

View Arkansas Private Schools By Tuition Cost

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
2025$10,250$15,012
2024$6,303$13,254
2023$6,056$12,626
2022$6,158$12,187
2021$6,089$11,800
2020$5,930$11,512
2019$5,897$11,293
2018$5,648$11,017
2017$5,607$10,708
2016$5,319$10,356
2015$5,473$9,939
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Average % on Financial Aid
26%
35%

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2015-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
202526%34%
202426%34%
202322%34%
202222%33%
202124%33%
202025%32%
201922%31%
201821%30%
201721%30%
201620%29%
201515%28%
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Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,509
$7,261

Financial Aid Grant Trends (2020-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
2025$3,509$7,073
2024$3,383$6,930
2023$3,124$6,469
2022$3,059$6,289
2021$3,782$6,055
2020$3,782$5,921
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Average Acceptance Rate
85%
82%

View Most Selective Private Schools in Arkansas

Acceptance Rate Trends (2016-2025)

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
202585%81%
202487%85%
202391%85%
202291%85%
202190%85%
202091%85%
201990%85%
201890%85%
201791%85%
201691%85%
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Students by Ethnicity
0.58
0.65

View Arkansas Private Schools Minority Statistics

Diversity Score Trends

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
20250.580.65
20240.570.65
20230.560.65
20220.540.64
20210.540.64
20200.540.64
20190.490.63
20180.490.63
20170.470.61
20160.460.61
20150.460.61
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# American Indian Students
106 Students
29,815 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%

Percentage of Private School Students of American Indian Trends

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
20231%1%
20191%1%
20181%2%
20171%1%
20161%1%
20151%1%
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# Asian Students
1,022 Students
264,585 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
20254%5%
20243%5%
20234%5%
20224%4%
20214%4%
20204%4%
20192%4%
20182%4%
20172%4%
20162%4%
20152%4%
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# Hispanic Students
1,628 Students
506,702 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
9%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
20255%9%
20246%9%
20235%9%
20225%8%
20215%9%
20205%9%
20194%8%
20184%8%
20173%8%
20163%8%
20153%8%
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# Black Students
1,207 Students
415,632 Students
% Black Students
4%
7%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
20254%7%
20244%7%
20234%8%
20225%7%
20215%7%
20205%8%
20195%7%
20185%7%
20174%7%
20164%7%
20154%8%
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# White Students
17,665 Students
2,929,926 Students
% White Students
59%
52%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
202559%52%
202460%52%
202361%52%
202264%54%
202164%54%
202064%54%
201968%56%
201868%56%
201770%58%
201671%58%
201571%58%
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# Hawaiian Students
30 Students
20,065 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
8,381 Students
1,473,602 Students
% of Others Students
28%
26%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearArkansas (AR) AvgNational
202528%26%
202427%26%
202325%25%
202222%25%
202122%25%
202022%24%
201920%24%
201820%23%
201720%22%
201619%22%
201519%21%
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All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars & Sports
Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Arkansas?
The top-ranked private schools in Arkansas include Harding Academy, Providence Academy, and Mt. St. Mary Academy.
How many private schools are located in Arkansas?
There are 184 private schools are located in Arkansas.
How much do private schools cost in Arkansas?
The average private school tuition in Arkansas is $9,051 for elementary schools and $8,852 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Arkansas?
Approximately 22% of students in Arkansas private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Arkansas go to private school?
6% of all K-12 students in Arkansas attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Arkansas?
80% of private schools in Arkansas are religiously affiliated, with most being Baptist or Christian.
Which private schools in Arkansas are often viewed compared to one another?

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