Bentonville · Rogers · Springdale · Fayetteville · Centerton · Siloam Springs · Gentry

From Bentonville to Fayetteville, 21 schools took Education Freedom Accounts last year.

Northwest Arkansas is growing faster than its private schools can add seats, and the families arriving are comparing classical academies, microschools, Montessori and homeschool co-ops side by side. We put the state's school-by-school EFA data, retention rates and test percentiles in one place for both counties.

Check my family's funding Browse 30 schools

Browse by kind of school

30 K-12 private schools, 21 of them in the EFA

Christian & classical schools

18 schools

Browse → Baptist

Shiloh Christian School

Springdale · 488 EFA students

Details →Baptist

Life Way Christian School

Centerton · 227 EFA students

Details →Christian

Providence Classical Christian Academy

Rogers · 224 EFA students

Details →Catholic

St. Joseph Catholic School

Fayetteville · 168 EFA students

Details →Catholic

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School

Rogers · 162 EFA students

Details →Baptist

First Academy

Rogers · 100 EFA students

Details →

$7,208

Per student in 2026-27, paid in four quarterly deposits of about $1,802. Former Succeed Scholarship students receive $8,011.

Schools in Benton and Washington counties appear on the state's 2024-25 participating list, out of 30 in our directory.

1,937

EFA students attended those schools in 2024-25, according to the state's annual report.

91%

Of EFA students statewide continued in the program the following year.

Northwest Arkansas

The local picture

Two counties, one commute. Families in Benton and Washington counties routinely drive across the county line along I-49 for school. So this guide covers both: Bentonville, Rogers, Centerton, Siloam Springs and Gentry to the north, and Springdale and Fayetteville to the south.

The mix here is unusual for Arkansas. NWA has classical Christian schools such as Providence Classical in Rogers and Anthem Classical in Fayetteville, progressive independents like The New School and Thaden, and Montessori and nature-school options. That variety means families shop on philosophy as much as price.

Northwest Arkansas is also a homeschool and microschool hub. Since the account opened to homeschool expenses, NWA families have spent EFA dollars at local programs such as Fayetteville Acton Academy, the Amazeum, Crystal Bridges and Northwest Arkansas Community College.

Data schools rarely publish

How many EFA families stay, and how their students test

The state's annual report lists, for every participating school, how many students used an account, how many continued the next year, and EFA students' average national percentile. We put Northwest Arkansas's schools side by side.

Compare 21 schools →

Homeschool co-op science class in a Springdale fellowship hall

The math

What the account changes for a Northwest Arkansas family

An illustrative elementary year at a church school charging $9,850 tuition plus $650 in registration and books.

Tuition + fees$10,500

Education Freedom Account (2026-27)− $7,208

Balance before school aid or discounts$3,292

Illustration only. The account amount is the published 2026-27 figure. Tuition, fees and aid vary by school, so ask each school for its full price sheet.

Homeschool & hybrid

The account isn't only for private school

NWA homeschool and microschool families used their accounts at local programs, from Acton-style studios to the region's museums and community college.

Fayetteville Acton AcademySiloam Christian SchoolFayetteville Creative SchoolsScott Family AmazeumNorthwest Arkansas Community CollegeCrystal BridgesDriving Academy of Northwest ArkansasGreenways Academy

Homeschool with an EFA →

Students working on projects in a Northwest Arkansas microschool

Questions families ask

Northwest Arkansas EFA questions

Which Bentonville and Rogers schools take the EFA?

In the 2024-25 state report: Bentonville Christian Academy, Thaden School, Walnut Farm Montessori, Clover Community School, Wisdom and Truth Classical Academy, Life Way Christian (Centerton), First Academy, Providence Classical Christian Academy and St. Vincent de Paul (Rogers), plus Community Christian School and Leapfrog Montessori Forest School in Siloam Springs.

And in Fayetteville and Springdale?

Shiloh Christian (Springdale), St. Joseph Catholic, Fayetteville Christian, Anthem Classical, The New School, The Hill School, Prism North America, Fayetteville Nature School and The Grace School all participated in 2024-25, as did Ozark Catholic Academy, the Catholic high school in Tontitown.

Can the EFA pay for a microschool or Acton-style program?

It can if the program is an approved participating school or an approved provider in ClassWallet. In 2024-25, NWA families paid Fayetteville Acton Academy and several local learning programs from their accounts. Approval is per program, so check ClassWallet before you commit.

Is Shiloh Christian covered? It's one of the biggest schools in the state.

Yes. Shiloh Christian had 488 EFA students in 2024-25, the most of any school in Northwest Arkansas, out of roughly 1,500 students.

We're moving to NWA mid-year. Can we still get an account?

The 2026-27 application window closed June 1, 2026, and 2027-28 dates aren't announced yet. Contact the state EFA office about your situation, and line up school aid for the gap. A funding advisor can help you map it.

High school students in a classical Christian school hallway

For schools, churches & ministries

Start or grow a school that families can fund

NWA's population growth has outpaced new school seats, especially for families who want a Christian or classical education. Churches in the fast-growing towns along I-49, such as Centerton, Bentonville, Lowell and Springdale, are well placed to host a hybrid school or microschool that participates in the EFA.

Partner with us Online Christian school option

Find out what the account covers for you

A short funding check. An advisor calls you back with your options and the dates that apply. No obligation.

Start the funding check →