The Best Private Schools in Falls, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Falls. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Scranton Preparatory School
Jesuits USA East Province
Scranton Preparatory School is a highly-regarded Jesuit college preparatory school serving the greater Scranton area, including Falls. Founded in 1940, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 23 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. The 40-acre campus features modern academic facilities, science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. As a Jesuit institution, the school emphasizes character formation and service learning alongside academic excellence. The student-teacher ratio of 12:1 ensures personalized attention, and the school consistently ranks among Pennsylvania's top private high schools.
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Holy Cross High School
Diocese of Scranton
Holy Cross High School is a comprehensive Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Falls and surrounding communities. Established in 1964, the school offers a robust academic program including honors and advanced placement courses, with particular strength in STEM education through their dedicated STEM Academy. The school features modern science laboratories, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. With a focus on faith-based education and community service, Holy Cross maintains strong college placement records and offers diverse extracurricular activities including championship athletic programs and award-winning performing arts.
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Fell Charter School
Fell Charter Elementary School
Fell Charter School serves as a high-quality private educational option for families in the Falls area, providing elementary education with a strong focus on STEM and character development. Founded in 2004, the school offers small class sizes and individualized instruction in a nurturing environment. The curriculum emphasizes foundational skills in mathematics, literacy, and sciences while incorporating technology integration across all grade levels. The school features modern classrooms, computer labs, and dedicated spaces for art and music education. With a commitment to parent involvement and community partnerships, Fell Charter has established itself as a respected educational institution in the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Falls, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families in Falls, Pennsylvania, and what are their educational philosophies?
In the Falls, PA area, families have several distinct private school options. Scranton Preparatory School is a Jesuit, college-preparatory school for grades 9-12, emphasizing rigorous academics, service, and character formation. Holy Cross High School is a Catholic, co-educational high school with a strong focus on faith-based learning and a comprehensive curriculum. Fell Charter School, while a public charter school, is often considered alongside private options due to its specialized, choice-based model; it's important for parents in Falls to note that charter schools are publicly funded and tuition-free, unlike traditional private schools. The availability of traditional private, faith-based, and charter models provides diverse educational pathways in the region.
How does tuition for private schools in the Falls, PA area compare, and what financial aid options are available through Pennsylvania state programs?
Tuition in the Falls area varies significantly. Scranton Preparatory School and Holy Cross High School have tuition typically ranging from $10,000 to $15,000+ per year, though exact figures should be verified directly with the schools. Pennsylvania offers specific financial aid programs that can help families. The most notable is the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, which provide scholarships to eligible students attending participating private schools. Many schools in the area, including the Catholic high schools, actively participate in these programs. Additionally, most private schools offer their own need-based financial aid and payment plans, so scheduling a financial aid consultation is highly recommended.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Falls, Pennsylvania, offer that leverage the local community or resources?
Private schools in the Falls and greater Scranton area often design programs that connect students to Northeastern Pennsylvania's unique landscape and economy. Scranton Prep, for instance, has strong programs in robotics, engineering, and science that may connect with local industries and the nearby University of Scranton. Holy Cross High School emphasizes community service projects deeply integrated with local parishes and social service organizations in Lackawanna County. Furthermore, schools in this region often have robust arts programs that participate in local festivals and competitions. The proximity to the Pocono Mountains also allows for unique environmental science and outdoor education opportunities not as readily available in more urban districts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Scranton Prep and Holy Cross in Falls, Pennsylvania?
The enrollment process for competitive private high schools in the Falls area typically begins in the fall of a student's 8th-grade year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held September-November), completing an application by a December or January deadline, taking a standardized entrance exam (like the HSPT), submitting transcripts and teacher recommendations, and participating in a family interview. Admissions decisions are usually communicated in February or March. For Fell Charter School, as a public charter, it operates on a separate lottery-based enrollment system if applications exceed available spots, with timelines advertised on their website. Starting the process early is crucial for private school admissions in this region.
For a family in Falls, Pennsylvania, what are the key considerations when choosing between a local public school, a charter school like Fell, and a private school like Scranton Prep or Holy Cross?
Families in Falls should consider several local factors. **Public Schools** (like those in the Lackawanna Trail School District) offer a tuition-free, comprehensive education with defined catchment areas. **Fell Charter School** provides a specialized, thematic curriculum (check their current focus) with no tuition but requires an application and may use a lottery. **Private Schools** offer distinct value: a specific religious or philosophical mission (Jesuit/Catholic), often smaller class sizes, and a consistent peer community drawn from a wider geographic area, but at a significant financial cost. A key local consideration is transportation; while public districts provide buses, private school transportation may be the family's responsibility or offered via limited contracted services. Ultimately, the decision hinges on educational priorities, values alignment, budget, and the specific needs of the child.
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