The Best Private Schools in De Young, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in De Young. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The University School at Seton Hill
Seton Hill University
The University School at Seton Hill is a premier private school located just 15 miles from De Young in Greensburg. This laboratory school offers an exceptional college preparatory education with access to university facilities and faculty. The school features a rigorous academic program with STEM emphasis, comprehensive arts education, and International Baccalaureate opportunities. Students benefit from small class sizes, individualized attention, and state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school maintains strong college placement records and offers extensive extracurricular programs.
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Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School
Diocese of Greensburg
Greensburg Central Catholic has served the Greater Greensburg area for over six decades, providing a values-based education with strong academic outcomes. Located approximately 12 miles from De Young, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and competitive athletics. The campus features modern classrooms, science and computer labs, a chapel, and athletic facilities. The school community emphasizes character development, service learning, and academic excellence with a 100% college acceptance rate for graduates.
Programs:
Saint Vincent College Elementary School
Saint Vincent Archabbey
Located approximately 8 miles from De Young in Latrobe, Saint Vincent College Elementary School provides a distinguished private education rooted in Benedictine values. The school offers a challenging academic program with strong emphasis on liberal arts, critical thinking, and character formation. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and access to college-level resources and facilities. The curriculum includes advanced technology integration, comprehensive arts education, and specialized programs for gifted students. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction ratings and strong student achievement outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in De Young, Pennsylvania
What are the main private school options available for families in or near De Young, Pennsylvania?
De Young itself is a small community, so families typically look to the broader Westmoreland County area for private education. The top schools serving the De Young area include The University School at Seton Hill in Greensburg (a lab school affiliated with Seton Hill University), Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School (a diocesan Catholic school), and Saint Vincent College Elementary School in Latrobe (a Catholic school on a college campus). There are also other parochial elementary schools in nearby townships. Transportation can be a key consideration, as most families in De Young will need to commute to Greensburg, Latrobe, or other neighboring communities.
How does tuition at private schools in the De Young, PA area compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Greensburg Central Catholic High School tuition is approximately $9,000-$10,000 for parishioners, while Saint Vincent College Elementary School is around $5,000-$6,000 for elementary grades. The University School at Seton Hill, as a university-affiliated independent school, typically has a higher tuition, often exceeding $15,000. Pennsylvania offers significant financial aid opportunities that benefit De Young families, including the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, which provide need-based scholarships. Additionally, most schools offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for active Catholic families.
What unique academic programs or specializations are offered by private schools accessible from De Young, Pennsylvania?
The private schools near De Young leverage their distinct affiliations to offer specialized programs. The University School at Seton Hill provides exceptional access to Seton Hill University's facilities, faculty, and early college courses, with a strong focus on inquiry-based learning. Greensburg Central Catholic offers a comprehensive college-prep curriculum with robust STEM and theology programs, plus extensive extracurriculars. Saint Vincent College Elementary School utilizes its unique setting on a Benedictine college campus for enrichment, including potential interactions with the college's education department. For families in De Young interested in a classical education or specific religious formation, these are key differentiators from the local public districts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving the De Young area?
Enrollment timelines are crucial due to limited seats. Most schools, like Greensburg Central Catholic and Saint Vincent Elementary, begin accepting applications for the following school year in the fall (October-November), with priority deadlines often in January or February. The University School at Seton Hill may have an even earlier timeline. The process typically involves an application, submission of records, a family interview, and for older students, a shadow day. Given that De Young is in a region with many families seeking private options, it is highly recommended to initiate inquiries 12-18 months in advance, especially for entry-level grades (Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 9th grade). Many schools host open houses in the fall.
For a family in De Young, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school?
Families in De Young are typically served by the Greater Latrobe or Derry Area School Districts. The choice often hinges on several local factors. Private schools offer smaller class sizes, a specific religious or value-based education (if desired), and specialized curricula not always available in the public system. However, choosing private means committing to tuition, a commute to Greensburg or Latrobe, and potentially less access to certain large-scale public school athletic or facility resources. A key advantage of Pennsylvania's structure is that public school districts are required to provide transportation to private schools within a certain radius (often 10 miles), which can mitigate the commute challenge for De Young residents. The decision often comes down to educational philosophy, budget, and the value placed on a school's specific mission and community.
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