I'm trying to think long term as a Dad with small children. What do you guys think are the best private schools in the Jackson Metro Area? Would love to start thinking about what schools we'd want to put ours in and how hard they are to get in to if we choose private. I'm pretty familiar with the public schools in the area, but know very little about potential private school options, so any and all info and advice would be appreciated.
OT: Private Schools in the Jackson Metro Area
- Thread starter CadaverDawg
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My kids (5th grader and 3rd grader)currently go to First Pres Day School and they love it. We've been very happy there.
With my business, I interact frequently with most of the private schools in the area and most are pretty good. Hartfield is growing and I heard recently that grades 5-12 were full for next year. Christ Covenant in Ridgeland isn't talked about much but is a good school and goes to 8th grade, which I wish FPDS did. JA and MRA are and have been solid schools. Park Place in Pearl is also growing but I don't know a lot about it. My suggestion would be to schedule tours and ask a lot of questions especially about curriculum/class size. My wife and I are touring Prep,, Hartfield and MRA this fall for my 5th grader. St. Andrews is good but insanely expensive. If you're Catholic, St. Richard is a good choice.
With my business, I interact frequently with most of the private schools in the area and most are pretty good. Hartfield is growing and I heard recently that grades 5-12 were full for next year. Christ Covenant in Ridgeland isn't talked about much but is a good school and goes to 8th grade, which I wish FPDS did. JA and MRA are and have been solid schools. Park Place in Pearl is also growing but I don't know a lot about it. My suggestion would be to schedule tours and ask a lot of questions especially about curriculum/class size. My wife and I are touring Prep,, Hartfield and MRA this fall for my 5th grader. St. Andrews is good but insanely expensive. If you're Catholic, St. Richard is a good choice.
The only thing stoping you from any private school in the metro is $$$ except maybe St. Andrews.
I’m not sure of the entrance requirements for St. Andrews but the tuition is 20k for high school.
I’m not sure of the entrance requirements for St. Andrews but the tuition is 20k for high school.
St Andrews and Prep are probably 1 and 2 (of course Prep doesn't start to 6th grade). Jxn Academy, MRA and First Pres are probably the next tier with Hartfiled rapidly gaining. Tri County, Canton, East Rankin, Park Place, etc., round it out but are still solid schools. I'm not sure where St. Joe ranks. I'm sure there are others I have left out. As another poster commented I have heard good things about Christ Covenant. Even at the lower tier schools you're probably looking at an average of close to $10k/year by the time all is said and done.
I would think a lot depends on where you live, if in Gluckstadt getting a kid to Hartfield would probably be an ordeal.
One thing about Hartfield, it has grown very fast in a short time. They've spent a pile of money and likely much of it is borrowed. When we have another year or two long recession, some folks will have to pull kids out of private and put them in public (especially when the public schools are good), so if you lose 5% of enrollment, it may make servicing debt much more difficult. I'd think more established schools (with less debt) would weather economic downturns a little better.
These are just my musings, I'm not an expert, just an observer. My kids went Public.
I would think a lot depends on where you live, if in Gluckstadt getting a kid to Hartfield would probably be an ordeal.
One thing about Hartfield, it has grown very fast in a short time. They've spent a pile of money and likely much of it is borrowed. When we have another year or two long recession, some folks will have to pull kids out of private and put them in public (especially when the public schools are good), so if you lose 5% of enrollment, it may make servicing debt much more difficult. I'd think more established schools (with less debt) would weather economic downturns a little better.
These are just my musings, I'm not an expert, just an observer. My kids went Public.
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If you want your kids to be good at sports, it seems like Lanier, Provine, Madison central, and Clinton turn out better athletes than any of the private schools in the area.**
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I have one child that graduated last year from Hartfield and one that’s a 9th grader this year. My Mom was a teacher so I know enough about education to be dangerous. Ive been very pleased with the education that my children have received at Hartfield. Cost is about half of what’ you pay at Prep or JA. I will say that I was much closer to the parents in my daughter’s class than the ones in my son’s but that may be because she was there in the UCS days when it was smaller. Academics have improved greatly since it became Hartfield but Pinelake still has a huge presence. At least in my opinion. Overall, a really good school. I just hope they don’t price themselves out of their market in the next 3 years.
I can only speak for K4 as we sent our kids to Madison Station after. MRA and St. Andrews were phenomenal. MRA caters to the social aspect more than St. Andrews - they even employ someone to be their social activities coordinator. Surprisingly for K4 St. Andrews is only slightly more expensive than MRA, but with a much better education.
We absolutely love Madison Station for elementary and have not regretted the switch.
We absolutely love Madison Station for elementary and have not regretted the switch.
Damn near every private school in the Memphis area is around 20k per year. Hell first grade private school around here is 15k
I've always said to save the money you'd spend on private school and send the kid to Germantown (or other good public school), then when the kid is 25 give him a couple of hundred k (or paid for rental property, etc.).
Likely, it's one or both of two things:
1) private school is, by far, the best option (for example, the public schools in the area are very bad); and/or
2) keeping up with the Joneses (appearances).
Concerning #1, I'm not sure why anyone would live in a place where the public schools are bad. I suppose they have no choice.
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None of these schools are turning many kids away as long as you register in a timely fashion, i.e. the fall preceding the next school year.
“The best” is what suits your child’s needs the best. You’ll find that each school kind of has its own niche. I’ll speak to the two I know the best.
FPDS seems to key on structure/education while Hartfield’s focus is faith/character.
My kids are at FPDS, but there is a ton of momentum at Hartfield right now. Costs for those two are very similar. We’re happy with the FPDS/Prep track with an eye on Hartfield.
I’ve also heard good things about the elementary at Christ Covenant. We looked at St Andrew’s. The cost is literally double, and I just couldn’t justify it.
“The best” is what suits your child’s needs the best. You’ll find that each school kind of has its own niche. I’ll speak to the two I know the best.
FPDS seems to key on structure/education while Hartfield’s focus is faith/character.
My kids are at FPDS, but there is a ton of momentum at Hartfield right now. Costs for those two are very similar. We’re happy with the FPDS/Prep track with an eye on Hartfield.
I’ve also heard good things about the elementary at Christ Covenant. We looked at St Andrew’s. The cost is literally double, and I just couldn’t justify it.
Had 2 finish at MRA. Great school that is growing. And feeling the comments about the cost, I am very glad to no longer have to pay private school tuition.
Thank goodness I live in Union County... some of the best all around public schools in the state.
For 1) above the public schools in Madison and Rankin counties, most are good.
And I'll add an additional major factor:
3) Sports.
I like to think I’ve got pretty smart friends.
Many of them who live in Jackson & whose children attend private schools send them to St. Andrew’s.
The remainder mostly go to Prep, First Pres, JA, and St. Richard’s.
Many of them who live in Jackson & whose children attend private schools send them to St. Andrew’s.
The remainder mostly go to Prep, First Pres, JA, and St. Richard’s.
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$10K for the first, lets say $5K for the second kid. $15K per year. Take $1000 of the $1250/month and add that to a mortgage in a nice area with good public schools. Invest the rest for you or the kids.
That is a mindbogglingly high cost just to send kids to 6th and 3rd grade(pick 2 random grades, it applies).
I’m dated but I think they are all fine but Prep and JA
Have an Ole Miss biases that several of my friends had to deal with, some unsuccessfully. It probably is more related to the fact kids want to go where their friends go and there’s just more Ole Miss slums in those schools.
Have an Ole Miss biases that several of my friends had to deal with, some unsuccessfully. It probably is more related to the fact kids want to go where their friends go and there’s just more Ole Miss slums in those schools.
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Yeah, Ive thought about this thru the years and wondered the same thing.
Unless your kid is going to some prestigious prep school where that somehow basically guarantees they are admitted to a prestigious college, what is the appeal of paying so much?
The Jackson metro isnt so big that its impossible to live in a good area and work in a bad area. I would rather commute and have my kid go to a good school system than pay that much for private school.
But really, the entire pull of Jackson seems odd to me. Its continually trashed on here for years now, yet people dont just move to somewhere with better pay, better schools, and a safer anchor city.
Maybe its family?...that is a strong pull to stay. Maybe its the devil you know vs the devil you dont?
All this is said while fully understanding that I grew up with strong public schools and live in an area with strong public schools, so I havent had to face this concern as a parent.
Also, the 2 private high schools in my area are under $9k per year and consistently quite good for both education and activities. Why does it cost $20k for a Jackson area schools?...thats rough.
St. Andrew's is the only one with that high of a tuition. JA and Prep are about 15K/kid for high school. The other private schools are 10K for high school. Prep actually had a tuition reduction this year for certain grades.
https://jpsentry.net/1179071/news/next-school-year-to-bring-changes-to-tuition/
https://jpsentry.net/1179071/news/next-school-year-to-bring-changes-to-tuition/
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I think the Ole Miss bias in private schools is largely a thing of the past. I know Prep sent more kids to MSU than Ole Miss for the first time a few years ago, and a big deal was made. I will say at First Pres the teachers and admins I've met seem to be largely Ole Miss grads.
Is there another reason folks might choose Jackson? Is there an ability to get more house for your money and just pass those savings on to paying for private school? Or more house plus shorter commute, etc? Last I heard, property values in the actual desirable areas to live in Jackson were still quite high, certainly not much cheaper than comparable houses in Madison, Ridgeland, Brandon, etc. Is that still the case?
Without turning this thread into anything political, I will say the number one reason why I send my kids to Hartfield is so that they can get a Christ-centered, Biblically based education. That’s more important than anything to me. Not looking down my nose at any other school options, because at the end of the day it has to be taught at home first. But I love the fact that Biblical principles are reinforced while at school getting a great education. And my kids weren’t going to be able to get that at any public school.
This was in part because they were losing kids to Hartfield. I have a family member that teaches at Prep and she said that was a contributing factor.
In regard to cost, it's all relative. I think paying $300 or $400 for a Yeti cooler or $50k or $60k for a vehicle is ridiculous but it happens every damn day.
The reasons given by other posters for choosing a private school are all accurate but I would also say that another reason is parents want their children in a school that teaches a Biblical worldview. Not all private schools do this but many do. In addition, many parents aren't comfortable with the curriculum being taught in government schools, Common Core as an example.
St. Andrews graduates are typically going to prestigious universities, Duke, Stanford, Ivy League. You don't see them going to Hinds CC or even many going to State or Ole Miss. This is a school that offers electives like Mandarin Chinese, Violin and Steel Drum. I think it's in a category by itself when it comes to private schools in the Jackson Metro area.
As the board's resident K-12 policy expert, I'll give you my thoughts on all of them, or at least the ones I would consider.
St. Andrew's
Its K-12, with the elementary school in Jackson and the middle/high school on Highland Colony in Ridgeland. It has an excellent reputation, but it comes with a lofty price tag. If your children lean toward the humanities, its even stronger. They marticulate several elite college students every year. Is not uncommon to see their graduates choose Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice, as well as a couple of Ivies and some good small liberal arts colleges. They are the only Jackson area private school to play sports in the MHSAA, now that St. Joseph is moving to the MAIS.
Jackson Prep
It's 6-12, but First Presbyterian Day School is a de facto elementary school. It has a good reputation, and has great opportunities for sports as well as performing arts. They are as close to what I call as a "Bayside" school, where as its not uncommon to see a linebacker performing in musical theatre or a star pitcher on the newspaper staff. I think Prep has the best overall faculty. I'm a little worried at their debt load. $12 million in revenue and $7 million in debt. They just lowered their tuition and opened up more SIS aid - thats a sign that they are worried about it too.
Jackson Academy
Northeast Jackson's de facto community school. Its K-12, has a strong endowment, but is struggling to find students as Northeast Jackson is running out of kids. Its not a convenient location for Madison and Flowood families, but they are trying to recruit more from those areas. If your child is more tech/engineering focused, I think they are stronger there, although they have good humanities and performing arts. Sports aren't what they used to be, but its not for lack of trying. I think their target student base is drying up.
Madison Ridgeland Academy
Fastest growing, largest, mainly because it has become the area's premier athletic private school. Its K-12 and they are healthy financially. Academically they are weaker than the above schools, but not bad. Their main competition is Madison's public school system, which helps them when competing against other area private schools. Their problem is that they are kind of locked in with no room to expand. They own some property at Reunion and Bozeman that they could build an elementary school and change their current location to a middle/high, but it hasn't materialized.
St. Joseph Catholic School
Has a great location but just hasn't taken off. Its 7-12 and Catholic scares some potential families, although you do not have to be Catholic to attend. They have a ton of debt but are supported by the Diocese of Jackson so its not as big of a problem as it could be. Sports are moving to the MAIS next season, so they should be better. It will be interesting to see if this attracts more students.
Hartfield Academy
A huge turnaround from a decade ago when this school was University Christian and a joke. Its the most Christian of the private schools - and its covenantal - which means all families must agree with a statement of faith. UCS had the reputation of taking in whoever got kicked out of Northwest Rankin or Brandon - Hartfield has shed that and has grown significantly. Their problem is that their campus is too small. Its K-12 with I believe K-3 at the Pinelake campus and 4-12 at the Luckney Drive campus. They are going to have to expand some way. They built a nice new addition and the auditorium/multi purpose space was too small the day it opened. Academically, its about like MRA, but its better than the area public schools. They don't have the performing arts and humanities that others have, but if you are interested in a Christian school with chapel and character building, this is a good place. Their turnaround has hurt Jackson Prep in my opinion, but they made a mistake in renovating and building on and not building all new on East Metro Parkway. This would have allowed them better access to Brandon/Pearl, who has East Rankin and PPCA, but Im not including them because they are jokes.
Hartfield has $15 million in debt against $11 million in revenue. I think they could have built a new campus on that donated land for $20 million and increased revenue to $15 million and end up in the same place.
I'm going to add this - they aren't there yet, but Canton Academy could be a sleeper. They are close enough to Gluckstadt to be attractive and there are a ton of rooftops in Gluckstadt with kids. I think they could learn from Hartfield. Change their name, change their focus and they could grow. They already have SACS accreditation (UCS did not when they changed to Hartfield). I'm not sure the current board of CA is interested though. My prediction is that if they don't do it, someone else will see this prime opportunity and jump at it - either a church, or an existing school will expand into Gluckstadt.
St. Andrew's
Its K-12, with the elementary school in Jackson and the middle/high school on Highland Colony in Ridgeland. It has an excellent reputation, but it comes with a lofty price tag. If your children lean toward the humanities, its even stronger. They marticulate several elite college students every year. Is not uncommon to see their graduates choose Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice, as well as a couple of Ivies and some good small liberal arts colleges. They are the only Jackson area private school to play sports in the MHSAA, now that St. Joseph is moving to the MAIS.
Jackson Prep
It's 6-12, but First Presbyterian Day School is a de facto elementary school. It has a good reputation, and has great opportunities for sports as well as performing arts. They are as close to what I call as a "Bayside" school, where as its not uncommon to see a linebacker performing in musical theatre or a star pitcher on the newspaper staff. I think Prep has the best overall faculty. I'm a little worried at their debt load. $12 million in revenue and $7 million in debt. They just lowered their tuition and opened up more SIS aid - thats a sign that they are worried about it too.
Jackson Academy
Northeast Jackson's de facto community school. Its K-12, has a strong endowment, but is struggling to find students as Northeast Jackson is running out of kids. Its not a convenient location for Madison and Flowood families, but they are trying to recruit more from those areas. If your child is more tech/engineering focused, I think they are stronger there, although they have good humanities and performing arts. Sports aren't what they used to be, but its not for lack of trying. I think their target student base is drying up.
Madison Ridgeland Academy
Fastest growing, largest, mainly because it has become the area's premier athletic private school. Its K-12 and they are healthy financially. Academically they are weaker than the above schools, but not bad. Their main competition is Madison's public school system, which helps them when competing against other area private schools. Their problem is that they are kind of locked in with no room to expand. They own some property at Reunion and Bozeman that they could build an elementary school and change their current location to a middle/high, but it hasn't materialized.
St. Joseph Catholic School
Has a great location but just hasn't taken off. Its 7-12 and Catholic scares some potential families, although you do not have to be Catholic to attend. They have a ton of debt but are supported by the Diocese of Jackson so its not as big of a problem as it could be. Sports are moving to the MAIS next season, so they should be better. It will be interesting to see if this attracts more students.
Hartfield Academy
A huge turnaround from a decade ago when this school was University Christian and a joke. Its the most Christian of the private schools - and its covenantal - which means all families must agree with a statement of faith. UCS had the reputation of taking in whoever got kicked out of Northwest Rankin or Brandon - Hartfield has shed that and has grown significantly. Their problem is that their campus is too small. Its K-12 with I believe K-3 at the Pinelake campus and 4-12 at the Luckney Drive campus. They are going to have to expand some way. They built a nice new addition and the auditorium/multi purpose space was too small the day it opened. Academically, its about like MRA, but its better than the area public schools. They don't have the performing arts and humanities that others have, but if you are interested in a Christian school with chapel and character building, this is a good place. Their turnaround has hurt Jackson Prep in my opinion, but they made a mistake in renovating and building on and not building all new on East Metro Parkway. This would have allowed them better access to Brandon/Pearl, who has East Rankin and PPCA, but Im not including them because they are jokes.
Hartfield has $15 million in debt against $11 million in revenue. I think they could have built a new campus on that donated land for $20 million and increased revenue to $15 million and end up in the same place.
I'm going to add this - they aren't there yet, but Canton Academy could be a sleeper. They are close enough to Gluckstadt to be attractive and there are a ton of rooftops in Gluckstadt with kids. I think they could learn from Hartfield. Change their name, change their focus and they could grow. They already have SACS accreditation (UCS did not when they changed to Hartfield). I'm not sure the current board of CA is interested though. My prediction is that if they don't do it, someone else will see this prime opportunity and jump at it - either a church, or an existing school will expand into Gluckstadt.
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This is true, but you need to have a realistic view of your child. I have a coworker, whose's daughter is extraordinarily average, my coworker paid for St Andrews all the way through. The child now works retail, after graduating college. Nothing wrong with the girl, she's just average. Also had a coworker who sent both his boys to Prep, one is a local facility manager/event planner and the other works in low level network administration - nothing wrong with any of these jobs, but MC/NWR/Brandon would have prepared them for these jobs as well as their $200k primary/secondary educations.
Heh. I know.
Sometimes I think about living in Jackson but the commute and infrastructure headaches...
Sometimes I think about living in Jackson but the commute and infrastructure headaches...
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