The early days of private schooling in Oklahoma were rustic to say the least, with many children being taught in tents. Due to the many hundreds of families flocking to Oklahoma for the Land Run, subscription schools had to be set up until taxes could be properly assigned to school funding.
According to a report funded by the Kirkpatrick Foundation, as early as the fall of 1889 – mere months after the Land Run – there already were several private schools in Oklahoma.
One of the earliest private schools still standing today is Mount Saint Mary High School, which opened in its new location in Oklahoma City in 1903, after fire destroyed its original school building near Shawnee. It’s one of more than 50 schools in the U.S. founded or run by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic religious order who dedicated their lives to establishing schools and health facilities in Oklahoma. Originally known as an academy and serving as a boarding school “for ladies,” as well as being one of the few tall buildings in Oklahoma City at that time, it began admitting day students in 1910; four decades later it became a coeducational school. Sacred Heart Catholic School, which opened in 1911, is still serving the community today, and eight years later Bishop John Carroll Catholic School opened its doors. Founded with help from the Sisters of Mercy and originally called Our Lady’s School, it was named after the first Catholic bishop of the U.S. – and closed its 9th through 12th grades when Bishop McGuinness opened just over 30 years later.
The Carmelite Sisters of St. Therese also were working to establish private Catholic schools and churches in the city. The order was established in 1928 by Bishop Kelley and later opened Villa Teresa Catholic School, which served more than 200 youngsters up to the age of 10. Over the 79 years the nuns ran the school before it was closed in 2012 due to rising operational costs, the sprawling complex became a Midtown landmark.
Following World War II, the optimism of a new era together with a youthful state’s growth spurred the development of many private schools that were not catholic led. A need was identified to set up an Episcopalian school following the formation of the Episcopal Diocese in the city. Its first diocesan bishop, Thomas Casady, had an ambitious plan to create a center housing a cathedral, conference facilities and a school. At the same time, civic leader Frank J. Hightower was exploring the possibility of a school where youngsters could achieve a good education without having to leave home for boarding school. The two were close friends, and by working together on their master plan, Casady School was founded; it has since grown into one of the most prestigious private schools in the city.
Over the next two decades, the city would see many different church-affiliated schools in and around the metro, as well as religiously independent schools such as Heritage Hall, which opened in 1969. Even today, it is one of the state’s few secular schools educating students through 12th grade.
In 1999, the metro welcomed its first Islamic private school, Mercy School Institute. It hit the headlines in 2010 when it invested $9 million into a new space and added 11th and 12th grades to satisfy increasing demands.
Today, there are dozens of private schools in and around the metro catering to different needs both educationally and religiously, with many charging below the national average for private school tuition. And according to a recent Trulia report, sending your child to private school may even save you money – as the cost of living in an area with a good public school can result in houses costing twice the national average per square foot. Whatever you choose, now’s a good time to start researching; your child’s future is right around the corner.
Private School Facts
• There are 219 private schools in Oklahoma, serving 35,603 students.
• The average acceptance rate is 91%.
• Minority enrollment is 23 percent and the average student/teacher ratio is 11:1.
• 77% of schools are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Roman Catholic).
• There are three Blue Ribbon schools, eight Montessori schools and 149 Preschools/Day Care schools in the state.
• Oklahoma’s average private school tuition is $4,706 for elementary schools and $6,712 for high schools annually.
• The national average for private school tuition is $8,908 for elementary schools and $13,538 for high schools annually.
Source: privateschoolreview.com
Private Schools & Higher Ed
A resource guide for your child’s future
Tuition rates are exclusive of discounts unless otherwise noted. Enrollment numbers and student/teacher ratios are approximate and based on the most recent information provided. Many schools offer half-day preschool and/or kindergarten programs; contact the school or visit the website for more information.
►The Academy of Classical Christian Studies
1120 E Hefner Road, OKC, 478.2077, theacademyok.org
Founded: 2013
Grades: Pre-K – 12th
Current enrollment: 595
Student/teacher ratio: 16:1 (1st–12th)
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Annual tuition: Pre-K – 8th $8,700, 9th–12th $8,250
Accreditation: AdvancEd and Member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools
►All Saints Catholic School
4001 36 Ave NW, Norman, 447.4600, allsaintsnorman.org
Founded: 1996
Current Enrollment: 387
Grades: Pre-K – 8th
Student/teacher ratio: 18:1
Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Annual tuition: Pre-K $6,991 ($4,816 parishioner); K–8th $6,417 ($4,172 parishioner)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Assn
► Antioch Christian Academy
3616 SW 119 St, OKC, 691.8012, academy.antiochokc.org
Founded: 1996
Current Enrollment: 123
Grades: K–8th
Student/teacher ratio: K–1st 15:1, 2nd–8th 8:1 (12:1 max)
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational Christian
Annual tuition: $4,000
Accreditation: Association of Christian Schools International
► Bishop John Carroll Catholic School
1100 NW 32 St, OKC, 525.0956, bjcs.org
Founded: 1919
Current Enrollment: 184
Grades: Pre-K – 8th
Student/teacher ratio: Pre-K 12:1, 1st–8th 22:1
Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Annual tuition: $3,996 (registered parishioner), $4,893(Catholic at other parish), $5,774 (non-Catholic)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Assn.
► Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
801 NW 50th St, OKC, 842.6638, bmchs.org
Founded: 1950
Current Enrollment: 723
Grades: 9th–12th
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Annual tuition: $9,000 (Catholic), $12,720 (non-Catholic)
Accreditation: North Central Assn.–AdvancEd
► Casady School
9500 N Pennsylvania, OKC, 749.3100, casady.org
Founded: 1947
Current Enrollment: 910
Grades: Pre-K – 12th
Student/teacher ratio: 8:1
Religious Affiliation: Episcopal
Annual tuition: Pre-K – K (five full days) $12,740; 1st–4th $14,430; 5th–8th $16,920; 9th–12th $18,990
Accreditation: Independent Schools Assn. of the Southwest; member, National Assn. of Episcopal Schools and Southwestern Assn. of Episcopal Schools, National Association of Independent Schools; member, Southwest Preparatory Conference; member, Malone Schools Online Network
► The Catholic School of St. Eugene
2400 W Hefner Road, OKC, 751.0067, steugeneschool.org
Founded: 1958
Current Enrollment: 337
Grades: Preschool–8th
Student/teacher ratio: Preschool 20:2; K–8th 16:1
Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Annual tuition: Preschool $6,925 ($5,100 parishioner); K-8th $6,925 ($3,725 parishioner)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Assn.
► Christ the King Catholic School
1905 Elmhurst Ave, OKC, 843.3909, ckschool.com
Founded: 1949
Current Enrollment: 492
Grades: Pre-K – 8th
Student/teacher ratio: 16:1
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Annual tuition: Pre-K $5,255, 1st–8th $5,933 (out-of-Parish Catholic), $4,375 (in-Parish Catholic), $7,000 (non-Catholic)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Assn.
► Christian Heritage Academy
4400 SE 27th St, Del City, 672.1787, www.cha.org
Founded: 1972
Current Enrollment: 635
Grades: Pre-K – 12th
Student/teacher ratio: Elementary 16:1; secondary 24:1
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational Christian
Annual tuition: Pre-K (five full days) $4,650; K–3rd $7,050, 4th–6th $7,700; 7th–8th $8,100; 9th–12th $8,250
Accreditation: Association of Christian Schools International
► Community Christian School
3002 Broce Drive, Norman, 329.2500, communitychristianschool.com
Founded: 1986
Current Enrollment: 842
Grades: Pre-K – 12th
Student/teacher ratio: 20:1 (upper school)
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational Christian
Annual tuition: Pre-K $4,410; K–6th $4,250; 7th–8th $4,500; 9th–12th $4,700
Accreditation: North Central Assn., Middle States Assn. of Colleges and Schools, Assn. of Christian Teachers and Schools
► Crossings Christian School
1440 N Portland, OKC, 842.8495, crossingsschool.org
Founded: 2000
Current Enrollment: 1,065
Grades: Preschool–12th
Student/teacher ratio: Preschool 16:2 Lower School 16:1 Middle and Upper 20:1
Religious Affiliation: Christian, Non-denominational
Annual tuition: Preschool starting at $2,460–12th $9,250
Accreditation: Assn. of Christian Schools
► Destiny Christian School
3801 SE 29th St, OKC, 677.6000, destinywildcats.com
Founded: 1981
Current Enrollment: 567
Grades: Preschool–12th
Student/teacher ratio: 17:1
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Annual tuition: K $4,600; 1st–12th $4,500
Accreditation: Association Christian Teachers and Schools, Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission, National Council for Private School Accreditation
► Good Shepherd Lutheran School
700 N Air Depot Midwest City, 732.0070, gslschool.com
Founded: 2001
Current enrollment: 123
Student/teacher ratio: 17:1
Religious Affiliation: Lutheran
Annual tuition: Preschool–K $1,450 – $2,750; K–8th $4,000
Accreditation: National Lutheran Schools Accreditation
► Heritage Hall
1800 NW 122 St, OKC, 749.3001, heritagehall.com
Founded: 1969
Current Enrollment: 885
Grades: Preschool–12th
Student/teacher ratio: Preschool – Pre-K 8:1; K–12th 15.5:1
Religious Affiliation: None
Annual tuition: Preschool (five full days)–4th $14,510; 5th–6th $15,145; 7th–12th $19,380
Accreditation: Independent Schools Assn. of the Southwest, Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission; Cum Laude Society Distinction
► Holy Trinity Lutheran School
308 NW 164 St, Edmond, 844.4000, holytrinityedmond.org/school
Founded: 1987
Current Enrollment: 160
Grades: Preschool–8th
Student/teacher ratio: 16:1
Religious Affiliation: Lutheran
Annual tuition: Pre-K – 8th $1,575 – $4,140
Accreditation: National Lutheran School Accreditation
► Keystone Adventure School and Farm
19201 N Western, Edmond, 216.5400, keystoneadventureschoolandfarm.com
Founded: 2005
Current Enrollment: 62
Grades: Pre-K – 5th
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
Religious Affiliation: None
Annual tuition: Preschool $9,895; Pre-K (five full days) $11,290; K–1st $11,525; 2nd–3rd $11,730; 4th $11,830; 5th $12,000
Accreditation: None
► King’s Gate Christian School
11400 N Portland Ave, OKC, 752.2111, kingsgateschool.com
Founded: 1977
Current enrollment: 250
Grades: Preschool–7th
Student/teacher ratio: 8:1
Religious affiliation: Non-denominational
Annual tuition: $6,600
Accreditation: Association of Christian Schools International
► Mercy School Institute
14001 N Harvey, Edmond, 748.5500, mercyschool.com
Founded: 1999
Current Enrollment: 270
Grades: Pre-K – 12th
Student/teacher ratio: 18:1
Religious Affiliation: Islamic
Annual tuition: Pre-K – 12th $4,500
Accreditation: North Central Association AdvancEd
► Messiah Lutheran School
3600 NW Expressway, OKC, 946.0462, messiahlutheranschool.com
Founded: 1997
Current Enrollment: 120
Grades: Preschool–8th
Student/teacher ratio: Pre-K 10:1, K–8th 16:1
Religious Affiliation: Missouri Synod Lutheran
Annual tuition: $4,950 ($5,100 for 2017–2018 school year)
Accreditation: National Lutheran School Accreditation, Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission
► Mount St. Mary High School
2801 S Shartel, OKC, 631.8865, mountstmary.org
Founded: 1903
Current Enrollment: 387
Grades: 9th–12th
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Annual tuition: $10,000 ($8,350 Catholic)
Accreditation: North Central Assn. of Colleges and Schools
► Oklahoma Christian Academy
1101 E 9th St, Edmond, 844.6478, ocacademy.org
Founded: 1987
Current Enrollment: 360
Grades: Preschool–12th
Student/teacher ratio: 1st–2nd 10:1 3rd–12th 20:1
Religious Affiliation: Christian
Annual tuition: K–5th $7,100; 6th–8th $7,950; 9th–12th $8,500
Accreditation: National Christian School Assn. (NCSA), North Assn., AdvancED
► Oklahoma Christian School
4680 E Second, Edmond, 341.2265, ocssaints.org
Founded: 1970
Current Enrollment: 914
Grades: PreK–12th
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational Christian
Annual tuition: Pre-K – 5th $7,260; 6th–8th $8,670; 9th–12th $9,300
Accreditation: Assn. of Christian Schools International
► Parkview Adventist Academy
4201 Martin Luther King Ave, OKC, 427.6525, parkviewadventistacademy.org
Founded: 1983
Current enrollment: 73
Grades: Pre-K – 12th
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
Religious Affiliation: Seventh-day Adventist Church
Annual tuition: 1st–6th $6,500 7th–8th $6,700 9th–12th $7,200
Accreditation: General Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, Oklahoma Private School Association Commission
► Rosary School
1919 NW 18th St, OKC, 525.9272, rosaryschool.com
Founded: 1927
Current Enrollment: 240
Grades: Preschool–8th
Student/teacher ratio: 2nd–8th 25:1
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Annual tuition: Pre-K $4,472, K–8th $4,329 (parishioner); $7,042 (non-Catholic)
Accreditation: Arch Diocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Association
► Sacred Heart Catholic School
2700 S Shartel, OKC, 634.5673, sacredheartokc.org
Founded: 1911
Current Enrollment: 215
Grades: Pre-K4 – 8th
Student/teacher ratio: Pre-K – K 18:1; 1st–8th 23:1
Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Annual tuition: $4,700 ($3,700 parishioner)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Assn.
► St. Charles Borromeo School
5000 N Grove, OKC, 789.0224, stcharlesokc.org
Founded: 1954
Current Enrollment: 207
Grades: Pre-K4 – 8th
Student/teacher ratio: 20:1
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Annual tuition: $5,250 ($3,850 parishioner)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Assn.
► St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School
925 S Boulevard, Edmond, 348.5364, seascardinals.org
Founded: 1990
Current Enrollment: 400
Grades: Preschool–8th
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Annual tuition: K–8th $3,965; $6,410 (non-Catholic)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Assn.
► St. James The Greater Catholic School
1224 SW 41st St, OKC, 636.6810, stjames-catholic.org
Founded: 1956
Current Enrollment: 207
Grades: Preschool–8th
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Annual tuition: $4,500 ($3,700 parishioner)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Assn.
► St. John Christian Heritage Academy
5700 North Kelley Avenue, OKC, 478.3344, stjohnokc.org
Founded: 1989
Current Enrollment: 119
Grades: Pre-K – 5th
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Religious Affiliation: Baptist
Annual tuition: K–5th $3,520 (St John Church members $2,970)
Accreditation: National Association of Private Schools
► St. John’s Episcopal School and Child Development Center
5401 N Brookline, OKC, 943.8583, stjohnsokc.com
Founded: 1951
Current Enrollment: 100
Grades: Pre-K – 8th
Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
Religious Affiliation: Episcopalian
Annual tuition: Preschool–5th $6,650; 6th–8th $6,850
Accreditation: Southwestern Assn. of Episcopal Schools, member of Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission
► St. Mary’s Episcopal School
505 E Covell, Edmond, 341.9541, smesedmond.org
Founded: 1977
Current Enrollment: 130
Grades: Preschool–5th
Student/teacher ratio: Preschool 8:1; Pre-K 10:1; K 12:1; 1st 14:1; 2nd–5th 18:1
Religious Affiliation: Episcopalian
Annual tuition: Pre-K $7,700; K $8,250; 1st–5th $8,520
Accreditation: Southwestern Assn. of Episcopal Schools, National Assn. of Independent Schools
► St. Philip Neri Catholic School
1121 Felix Place, Midwest City, 737.4496, stphilipnerischool.com
Founded: 1954
Current Enrollment: 165
Grades: Preschool–8th
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Annual tuition: K4 (five full days) $4,750; 1st–8th $5,200 ($3,800 parishioner)
Accreditation: Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Association
► Trinity School
321 NW 36th St, OKC, 525.5600, trinityschoolokc.org
Founded: 1961
Current Enrollment: 100
Grades: K–12th
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational Christian
Annual tuition: K–5th $11,520; 6th–12th $12,830
Accreditation: International Christian Accrediting Assn., North Central Assn.–AdvancED
► Trinity Lutheran School
603 Classen Blvd, Norman, 329.1503, tlsnorman.com
Founded: 1989
Current Enrollment: 65
Grades: Preschool–5th
Student/teacher ratio: Preschool 10:1; K–5th 16:1
Religious Affiliation: Lutheran
Annual tuition: Pre–K (five full days) – 5th $4,000
Accreditation: National Lutheran Schools Accreditation
► Westminster School
600 NW 44th, OKC, 524.0631, westminsterschool.org
Founded: 1963
Current Enrollment: 570
Grades: Pre-K – 8th
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
Religious Affiliation: None
Annual tuition: Preschool (five full days) $12,120; K $12,350; 1st–4th $12,520; 5th $12,930; 6th–8th $13,625
Accreditation: Independent Schools Assn. of the Southwest
The private school listings include those schools in OKC, Norman and Edmond areas, which have been checked against those listed on the Oklahoma Private School Accrediting Commission, which works with and assists the state board of education.
Source: opsac.org/member-schools/2