The Best Private Schools in Allison Park, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Allison Park. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Ellis School
Independent School
The Ellis School is a highly regarded independent day school for girls in grades K-12, located just 15 minutes from Allison Park in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1916, Ellis offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with particular strengths in STEM education, featuring advanced science and mathematics programs. The school emphasizes leadership development and personalized learning with small class sizes. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school maintains a strong track record of college placements at top universities and offers extensive extracurricular programs including robotics, debate, and performing arts.
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Winchester Thurston School
Independent School
Winchester Thurston is a prestigious independent school serving students from pre-K through grade 12, located approximately 20 minutes from Allison Park in the Shadyside/Oakland area. The school is renowned for its innovative "City as Our Campus" program that leverages Pittsburgh's cultural and educational resources for hands-on learning. WT offers a challenging academic program with advanced placement courses and emphasizes critical thinking and ethical leadership. The school features modern facilities including science and innovation labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic centers. With a diverse student body and strong community values, Winchester Thurston consistently achieves excellent college placement results and maintains high parent satisfaction ratings.
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North Catholic High School
Diocese of Pittsburgh Catholic Schools
North Catholic High School is a comprehensive Catholic college preparatory school serving the northern Pittsburgh suburbs including Allison Park, located approximately 15 minutes away in Cranberry Township. Founded in 1939, the school offers a faith-based education with strong academic programs including an advanced STEM academy, honors and AP courses, and comprehensive fine arts programs. The campus features modern classrooms, science and technology labs, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. North Catholic emphasizes character development and community service while maintaining strong athletic traditions. The school serves students from over 40 communities and has a proven record of college acceptance and scholarship awards.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Allison Park, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options serving families in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, and what are their key characteristics?
Allison Park, located in northern Allegheny County, is primarily served by several prestigious private schools in the greater Pittsburgh area. The most prominent include North Catholic High School, a co-ed Catholic school in nearby Cranberry Township with a strong college-prep tradition. While not in Allison Park proper, top city schools like The Ellis School (an all-girls, college-prep school in Shadyside) and Winchester Thurston School (a co-ed, progressive Pre-K-12 school in Shadyside and the North Hills) are common choices for Allison Park families, though they involve a commute. Local options also include various parochial elementary schools (K-8) within the area. The defining characteristic for Allison Park is its proximity to both suburban Catholic education and Pittsburgh's renowned independent schools, offering a range of religious and secular philosophies.
How does tuition for private schools in the Allison Park, PA area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Allison Park/Pittsburgh area varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, elite independent schools like Ellis and Winchester Thurston have tuition ranging from approximately $30,000 to $40,000 for upper grades. North Catholic High School, as a diocesan school, has a lower tuition, typically around $12,000-$15,000. Pennsylvania offers several financial aid avenues: most schools have substantial need-based grant programs funded through endowments. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs provide need-based scholarships through approved organizations, which can significantly reduce costs for eligible families. It's crucial to apply for financial aid directly through each school and explore these state-sponsored programs early in the application process.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Allison Park students?
Schools serving Allison Park families offer distinctive programs leveraging Pittsburgh's resources. Winchester Thurston is known for its "City as Campus" program, integrating Pittsburgh's museums, universities, and businesses into the curriculum. The Ellis School emphasizes STEM and leadership for girls, with robust engineering and computer science tracks. North Catholic High School offers extensive career-pathway programs in fields like engineering, health sciences, and information technology, often with dual-enrollment college credit. Given Allison Park's suburban setting, many of these schools also provide extensive transportation options and have strong athletics programs that compete in the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League).
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools in the Allison Park, Pennsylvania region?
The timeline for private high schools in this region is highly structured and begins early. For schools like North Catholic, Ellis, and Winchester Thurston, the process for 9th grade entry typically starts in the summer or early fall of a student's 8th grade year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often September-November), submitting applications by January deadlines, taking standardized entrance exams (like the HSPT for North Catholic or the ISEE for independents) in the fall/winter, and completing interviews and student visits. Admission decisions and financial aid awards are usually released in March. For families in Allison Park, planning for transportation and understanding each school's specific bus routes or van service from the northern suburbs is a critical part of the decision process following acceptance.
For a family living in Allison Park, what are the major considerations when choosing between the local public schools (Hampton Township School District) and a private school option?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, cost, and specific student needs. Hampton Township School District is consistently ranked among the top public districts in Pennsylvania, offering strong academics, extensive AP courses, and comprehensive extracurriculars at no direct tuition cost. Choosing a private school often involves seeking a specific environment: a single-gender education (Ellis), a progressive, student-centered pedagogy (Winchester Thurston), or a faith-based curriculum with moral formation (North Catholic). Private schools may offer smaller average class sizes, more individualized attention, and specialized programs not available in the public setting. The trade-off is the significant financial investment and, for many top private options, a daily commute into Pittsburgh. Families should closely compare the specific programs, culture, and outcomes of each option relative to their child's personality and goals.
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