The Best Private Schools in Belsano, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Belsano. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bishop McCort Catholic High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Bishop McCort Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving the greater Johnstown area, including Belsano. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character formation, and spiritual development. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and extensive extracurricular opportunities including championship athletic programs, performing arts, and community service initiatives. The school maintains strong college acceptance rates and provides individualized college counseling.
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Holy Name Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Holy Name Catholic School in nearby Ebensburg serves students from Belsano and surrounding communities with a strong K-8 educational program. The school focuses on academic excellence within a faith-based environment, offering a rigorous curriculum enhanced by technology integration, art programs, and music education. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and the school maintains strong parent involvement and community partnerships. Extracurricular activities include sports, academic competitions, and community service projects.
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Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School serves students from throughout Cambria County, including Belsano, with a comprehensive college preparatory program. The school offers advanced placement courses, dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges, and career technology programs. Students benefit from a supportive faith-based community, competitive athletic teams, and diverse extracurricular activities. The school emphasizes leadership development and community service while maintaining strong academic standards and college placement records.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Belsano, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families in Belsano, Pennsylvania, and what grade levels do they serve?
Belsano itself is a small borough, so families typically look to nearby Johnstown-area Catholic schools. The most prominent options are Bishop McCort Catholic High School (grades 9-12) in Johnstown, Holy Name Catholic School (a K-8 parish school) also in Johnstown, and Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (grades 9-12) in Ebensburg, about a 15-minute drive from Belsano. These schools form the core of private, faith-based education in the immediate region. There are limited non-religious private day schools in the direct Belsano area, making these Catholic institutions the primary choice for private education.
How does tuition at Catholic high schools like Bishop McCort or Bishop Carroll near Belsano, PA, typically work, and are there financial aid options specific to Pennsylvania?
Tuition for schools like Bishop McCort and Bishop Carroll is set annually and is typically lower for active members of supporting parishes. For the 2024-2025 school year, tuition can range from approximately $7,500 to $9,500 for parishioners, and higher for non-parishioners. A key Pennsylvania-specific resource is the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These programs provide need-based scholarships through organizations like the Bridge Educational Foundation. Families in Belsano must apply for these scholarships separately from the school's own financial aid, and eligibility can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are offered by the private high schools accessible from Belsano, PA, that differ from local public schools?
The private Catholic high schools serving Belsano emphasize college preparatory curricula with a required theology component. Bishop McCort offers notable programs like the Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Academy, which provides specialized coursework and partnerships. Bishop Carroll is known for its strong, small-school academic environment and often has a higher percentage of students engaged in dual-enrollment courses with local colleges like Mount Aloysius or Saint Francis University. Both schools have robust athletics and activities, but their defining feature is the integration of faith and moral development into all aspects of education, which is not found in the public school curriculum.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for schools like Holy Name Catholic School or Bishop McCort for a family moving to Belsano?
Enrollment for these schools often begins with a "re-registration" period for current families in January or February, opening to new families shortly after. The process is not tied to the Belsano borough boundaries but requires proactive steps. For Holy Name (K-8), you should contact the parish office and the school directly for a tour, application, and records transfer. For Bishop McCort, the process typically involves an application, submission of prior academic records, a placement test for incoming freshmen, and often a family interview. Due to the smaller size of these schools, especially at the high school level, it is highly recommended to initiate contact by early spring for the following fall semester to ensure availability.
For a family in Belsano, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school (Penn Cambria School District) and a private Catholic school like Bishop Carroll?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. **Logistics:** Penn Cambria schools are districted and provide bus transportation for Belsano residents. Private schools may require a daily commute to Ebensburg or Johnstown, with carpooling being common. **Cost:** Public school is tax-funded, while private tuition is an additional expense, though tax credit scholarships can help. **Environment:** Penn Cambria offers a larger, comprehensive public school experience. Bishop Carroll offers a smaller, close-knit community with a consistent faith-based values system across all classes. **Academics:** Both provide pathways to college, but the private schools often have smaller average class sizes. Ultimately, families in Belsano must weigh the value of a religious education and specific programs against the convenience and cost of the local public system.
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