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The Best Private Schools in Duncansville, Pennsylvania

Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Duncansville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.

3
Private Schools
4.4
Average Rating
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Total Students
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School Types

School Overview

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Religious Schools
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Secular Schools
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Different Types

Top-Rated Private Schools

Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy

Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown

4.6

Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy serves students from Duncansville and surrounding Blair County communities with a comprehensive college preparatory education rooted in Catholic values. The school features small class sizes, advanced placement courses, and robust extracurricular programs including championship athletic teams and performing arts. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence.

611 S Logan Blvd, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, Duncansville, Pennsylvania PA 16648
Grades: K-12
Founded 1976

Programs:

College Preparatory CurriculumSTEM ProgramsFine Arts+1 more

Holy Trinity Catholic School

Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown

4.4

Holy Trinity Catholic School provides education for students from Duncansville and throughout Blair County with a strong emphasis on faith formation and academic achievement. The school offers a balanced curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, comprehensive language arts, and integrated technology programs. Students benefit from specialized instruction in music, art, and physical education, along with competitive sports programs. The school community is known for its family atmosphere and commitment to developing well-rounded students prepared for high school and beyond.

321 Clark St, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, Duncansville, Pennsylvania PA 16648
Grades: K-12
Founded 1999

Programs:

Faith-Based EducationTechnology IntegrationMusic & Arts+1 more

St. Rose of Lima School

Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown

4.2

St. Rose of Lima School has been serving families from Duncansville and the greater Altoona area for over six decades with a tradition of academic excellence and spiritual development. The school offers a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes core subjects while incorporating technology and critical thinking skills. Students participate in annual community service projects and benefit from strong parent involvement. The school maintains small class sizes that allow for individualized attention and features updated facilities including computer labs and library resources.

5514 5th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602, Duncansville, Pennsylvania PA 16602
Grades: K-12
Founded 1959

Programs:

Catholic EducationAdvanced MathematicsLanguage Arts+1 more

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about private schools in Duncansville, Pennsylvania

What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Duncansville, Pennsylvania?

Duncansville, PA, is served by a small number of faith-based private schools, primarily Catholic institutions. The main options include Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy (a regional pre-K-8 school), Holy Trinity Catholic School in nearby Altoona (pre-K-8), and St. Rose of Lima School in Altoona (pre-K-8). For high school, families often consider Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Altoona. Due to the limited number of schools within Duncansville's immediate boundaries, many families in the area look to the broader Altoona region for private education, with transportation sometimes being a key logistical consideration.

How does tuition at Duncansville-area Catholic schools compare, and are there Pennsylvania-specific financial aid programs?

Tuition for the elementary/middle schools (e.g., Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy, Holy Trinity) typically ranges from approximately $4,000 to $6,000 per year per child, with discounted rates for parishioners and multiple children. A critical Pennsylvania-specific benefit is the **Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)** and **Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC)** programs. These programs provide need-based scholarships funded by business donations, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for qualifying families. It's essential to apply early through the school or scholarship organizations like the Bridge Educational Foundation, as funds are limited.

What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Duncansville, PA, area offer?

While academically rigorous with a standard core curriculum, Duncansville-area private schools emphasize values-based education and community service. A notable program is the **STREAM initiative** (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) integrated at schools like Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy. Given the region's demographics, many schools also have strong music and arts programs, and partnerships with local institutions like the Altoona Grand Hotel for history projects or the Allegheny Mountains provide unique environmental science opportunities. Athletics often feed into the Altoona-area Catholic league, offering team sports from a young age.

What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Duncansville, Pennsylvania?

Enrollment for the following academic year typically opens in January or February for existing families and siblings, with open enrollment for new families beginning in March. The process for schools like Holy Trinity or St. Rose of Lima involves submitting an application, providing birth and baptismal certificates (for Catholic schools), recent report cards, and possibly a student assessment. Given the small size of these schools, spaces can fill quickly, especially in lower grades. Many schools host open houses in the fall and winter; attending these is highly recommended for Duncansville parents to understand the community and secure a spot.

For a family in Duncansville, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school district (Greater Altoona Area School District or Hollidaysburg Area School District, depending on location) with the available private options?

Key considerations include educational approach, class size, and cost. Public schools in the Greater Altoona or Hollidaysburg districts offer a wide range of programs, including advanced placement and extensive extracurriculars, with no tuition. Private schools in the area provide smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students), a consistent values-based environment rooted in Catholic teachings, and a close-knit community. For Duncansville residents, transportation is a major factor; public districts provide busing, while private school families often must arrange carpools or utilize limited shuttle services from central points. The decision often hinges on the priority placed on religious education and personalized attention versus the broader resources and specialized programs of the larger public districts.

Private Education Insights

Discover Top-Rated Private Elementary Schools Near Duncansville, PA

For parents in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, the search for "private elementary schools near me" is often driven by a desire for a specific educational environment—one that aligns closely with family values, offers a tight-knit community feel, and provides a strong academic foundation. Our area, nestled in the heart of Blair County, is fortunate to have several well-established private elementary options that serve as cornerstones of the community. These schools are more than just institutions; they are extensions of the family and faith-based networks that many local residents hold dear. When beginning your search, it’s helpful to understand that the landscape here is defined by a rich tradition of parochial education, offering a structured, values-based alternative to the public system.

The notable schools you’ll encounter, such as Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy, Holy Trinity Catholic School, and St. Rose of Lima School, each offer a unique character while sharing common threads of faith, discipline, and community service. A key consideration for Duncansville families is the profound sense of continuity these schools provide. Many are multi-generational institutions, where parents themselves may have attended, creating a deep-rooted network of support. The practical aspect of location is also a significant benefit. With these campuses situated within or very near our community, you avoid lengthy commutes to Altoona or other larger hubs, allowing for more family time and easier involvement in school activities. This local convenience makes the idea of a private education more accessible and integrated into daily life.

When researching "private elementary schools near me," it's crucial to look beyond the curriculum to the entire educational ecosystem. In Duncansville, this often includes a strong emphasis on character development integrated with academic rigor. Class sizes are typically smaller, allowing for personalized attention that can be pivotal in these formative years. Parents should consider scheduling visits during a school day to observe the classroom culture firsthand. Pay attention to how teachers interact with students and ask about how the school supports different learning styles. Given the faith-based nature of our local options, understanding the role of religious education in the daily schedule is also important, even for families of that faith, to ensure it meets your expectations for depth and inclusion.

Finally, engaging with the parent community is an invaluable step. Attend an open house or a school festival; the Fall festivals at these local parishes are wonderful, low-pressure opportunities to meet current parents and staff. Ask about the transition to local middle schools, as some of these elementary schools feed directly into specific programs. The investment in a private elementary education here is not just financial; it’s an investment in a community. For Duncansville parents, the answer to "private elementary schools near me" leads to places where your child’s name is known, their growth is nurtured holistically, and their education is firmly grounded in the values that shape our homes. Taking the time to explore these intimate, mission-driven environments can provide the foundational experience you seek for your child’s earliest and most critical years of learning.

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