The Best Private Schools in Easton, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Easton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Moravian Academy
Moravian Academy
Moravian Academy is a prestigious independent school serving the Lehigh Valley region, including Easton families. With a 275-year educational heritage, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program featuring the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The 120-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a 8:1 student-teacher ratio and offers extensive extracurricular programs in athletics, arts, and community service.
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The Swain School
The Swain School
The Swain School is an independent day school serving families from Easton and throughout the Lehigh Valley region. With a history spanning nearly a century, Swain offers a comprehensive educational program from early childhood through eighth grade. The school emphasizes personalized learning with small class sizes and features modern STEAM labs, extensive arts facilities, and competitive athletics. The curriculum focuses on developing critical thinking skills, creativity, and character development, preparing students for success in top regional high schools. The campus includes technology-enhanced classrooms, science laboratories, and extensive outdoor learning spaces.
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Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School
Lehigh Valley Academy
Lehigh Valley Academy is a highly-rated IB World School serving students from Easton and throughout the Lehigh Valley. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma programmes, providing a consistent, challenging educational framework from elementary through high school. With a focus on inquiry-based learning and global perspectives, LVA features modern STEM facilities, competitive athletics, and diverse arts programs. The school maintains strong college acceptance rates and serves as a popular choice for Easton-area families seeking rigorous academic preparation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Easton, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Easton, Pennsylvania, and how do they differ in educational approach?
Easton, PA, is served by several notable private institutions, each with a distinct philosophy. Moravian Academy, with a campus in nearby Bethlehem, is a prestigious Pre-K through 12 college-preparatory school with a strong emphasis on character and global citizenship, rooted in its historic Moravian heritage. The Swain School in Allentown offers a progressive, project-based learning environment for Pre-K through 8th grade, focusing on innovation and individual student growth. While technically a public charter, Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School in Bethlehem is a frequent consideration; it offers a tuition-free, International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. For Easton parents, this means choosing between a traditional prep school, a progressive elementary/middle school, or a rigorous IB program, often involving a commute to the broader Lehigh Valley.
How does Pennsylvania's tuition assistance landscape, including the EITC and OSTC programs, affect the affordability of private schools for Easton families?
Pennsylvania offers significant mechanisms to help Easton families manage private school tuition. The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs allow businesses to direct tax dollars to scholarship organizations, which then provide need-based scholarships to students. Many Easton-area private schools, including Moravian Academy and The Swain School, actively participate in these programs. Additionally, most schools offer their own need-based financial aid. It's crucial for parents to apply for financial aid directly through the school and inquire about available state-sponsored scholarship funds during the admissions process, as these can substantially reduce the net cost.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Easton, PA, area that leverage local resources or history?
Private schools in the Lehigh Valley region surrounding Easton often integrate local history and industry into their curricula. For instance, Moravian Academy's history classes may utilize the rich colonial and industrial heritage of Bethlehem and Easton for immersive study. The Swain School's emphasis on design thinking and innovation can connect to the area's engineering legacy. Furthermore, schools leverage proximity to institutions like Lafayette College in Easton for guest lectures, science partnerships, or college-level course access for high school students. Extracurricularly, many schools participate in athletic leagues with other Lehigh Valley private schools and may offer outdoor education programs utilizing the nearby Delaware River and Appalachian Trail.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Moravian Academy for an Easton-based student?
For top-tier schools like Moravian Academy serving the Easton area, the process is highly structured and begins early. Admissions for the following academic year typically opens in the fall, with application deadlines often in January or February for the main round of admissions. The process usually includes a completed application, school records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing (such as the ISEE or SSAT for middle/upper grades), and a mandatory family interview and student visit/assessment. It is strongly advised for Easton parents to attend open houses in the fall, often as early as September or October, to express interest and understand the school's specific requirements and community fit.
For an Easton resident, what are the key considerations when comparing the Easton Area School District public schools to the available private school options in the Lehigh Valley?
Easton parents should consider several localized factors. The Easton Area School District offers a large, diverse public school experience with extensive athletic and AP course offerings. The decision to pursue private options often centers on smaller class sizes, specialized educational approaches (like Swain's project-based model or Moravian's rigorous college prep), and often, a different campus environment. A major practical consideration is commuting; most private options require a 20-30 minute drive to Bethlehem or Allentown. Financially, it's a comparison of property taxes funding public schools versus private tuition (potentially offset by aid). Parents should also consider the student's needs: a large, resource-rich public high school versus a more intimate, focused private setting.
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