The Best Private Schools in Commodore, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Commodore. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Kiski School
Independent
The Kiski School is one of the nation's oldest all-boys boarding and day schools, located approximately 15 miles from Commodore. With a stellar academic reputation, Kiski offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes (8:1 student-teacher ratio) and extensive AP course offerings. The 350-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology centers, athletic complexes, and arts facilities. Known for its strong community values and individualized attention, the school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence.
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Bishop McCort Catholic High School
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Located approximately 25 miles from Commodore in Johnstown, Bishop McCort Catholic High School provides a comprehensive college preparatory education rooted in Catholic values. The school features advanced STEM programs, extensive arts offerings, and competitive athletic teams. With a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, students receive personalized attention and benefit from dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges. The campus includes modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. The school is known for its strong academic outcomes and community involvement.
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Holy Trinity Catholic School
Diocese of Greensburg
Holy Trinity Catholic School in Ligonier (approximately 20 miles from Commodore) offers a faith-based education for students in pre-K through 8th grade. The school provides a strong foundation in core academic subjects enhanced by technology integration, STEM programs, and comprehensive arts education. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school emphasizes character development and academic excellence. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, computer labs, and athletic spaces. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community connections, preparing students for success in high school and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Commodore, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families in and around Commodore, Pennsylvania?
Commodore itself is a small borough, so families typically look at well-regarded private schools in the broader Indiana County and Cambria County region. The top options include The Kiski School (a historic, all-boys college preparatory boarding/day school in Saltsburg), Bishop McCort Catholic High School (a co-ed diocesan high school in Johnstown), and Holy Trinity Catholic School (a K-8 parochial school in Ligonier). For Commodore residents, these schools involve a commute, but they represent the core of private, faith-based, and independent education accessible to the area. There are also smaller parochial elementary schools in nearby townships.
How does the tuition at private schools near Commodore, PA, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition varies significantly by school type. For example, The Kiski School, as a boarding institution, has a comprehensive tuition comparable to other elite private academies, often exceeding $50,000 for boarding students. Bishop McCort and Holy Trinity, as Catholic schools, have more moderate tuition, typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 annually. Pennsylvania offers several state-specific financial aid programs that Commodore families can utilize, most notably the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These provide scholarships for students attending participating private schools, often based on income eligibility. All schools also typically offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for active church members.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Commodore area offer that differentiate them from public schools?
Schools in this region offer distinct programs shaped by their missions. The Kiski School is renowned for its advanced STEM curriculum, engineering programs, and a 1:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with extensive college counseling—a level of personalized attention difficult to match in a public setting. Bishop McCort offers a strong college-prep curriculum infused with Catholic values and specific programs like its renowned wrestling and athletics. Holy Trinity provides a continuous faith-based education from kindergarten through 8th grade. A common differentiator for these schools is smaller class sizes and a focus on character development, which appeals to many families in the rural Commodore area seeking a specific educational environment.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Commodore, PA, families?
Timelines are school-specific but generally follow an annual cycle. For the Catholic schools (Bishop McCort and Holy Trinity), the enrollment process often begins in January or February for the following academic year, with priority given to siblings and parish members. The Kiski School, with its boarding component, has a more rolling but structured admission process, with recommended application deadlines in the winter for fall enrollment. All schools require an application, transcripts, recommendations, and often a student interview or entrance exam (like the HSPT for Catholic high schools). Given the limited seats, especially in popular grades, Commodore families are advised to initiate inquiries a full year in advance to understand deadlines, open house dates, and financial aid application windows.
For a family in Commodore considering private vs. public school, what are the key local logistical considerations?
The primary logistical consideration is transportation. The public school district for Commodore is the Purchase Line School District, which provides busing. Most private schools in the area do not provide district-sponsored transportation from Commodore, meaning families are responsible for the daily commute to schools in Saltsburg, Johnstown, or Ligonier, which can be a 20-45 minute drive each way. This impacts daily schedules and costs. Secondly, the social and community aspect differs: public school centers on local neighborhood ties, while private school communities are drawn from a wider geographic region based on shared values or academic goals. Finally, the financial commitment is substantial, so weighing the cost against the desired educational outcome—such as college preparation, specific athletic opportunities, or faith-based instruction—is crucial for Commodore families.
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