The Best Private Schools in Greentown, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Greentown. 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 Prep is a highly-regarded Jesuit college preparatory school serving students throughout Northeast Pennsylvania, including the Greentown area. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 22 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. With small class sizes averaging 18 students, personalized attention and college counseling are hallmarks. The campus features modern science labs, athletic facilities, and technology resources. As a Jesuit institution, character development and service learning are integral to the educational experience.
Programs:
MMI Preparatory School
Independent
MMI Preparatory School is an independent college preparatory school serving students from throughout the greater Hazleton area and surrounding regions, including Greentown. The school features a rigorous academic program with 100% college acceptance rate and offers 16 Advanced Placement courses. MMI's STEM Academy provides specialized programming in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The historic campus has been modernized with state-of-the-art science labs, technology infrastructure, and athletic facilities. Small class sizes and individualized attention are central to the school's educational approach.
Programs:
Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School
Diocese of Scranton
Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School serves students from throughout the Poconos region, including Greentown families. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with honors and advanced courses, along with career technology programs in business, technology, and health sciences. The campus includes modern classrooms, science laboratories, a performing arts center, and athletic facilities. With a strong focus on faith-based education and community service, Notre Dame provides transportation services that make it accessible to students from surrounding communities.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Greentown, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options serving families in Greentown, Pennsylvania, and what are their key characteristics?
While Greentown itself is a smaller community in the Pocono Mountains region, families typically look to nearby institutions. The top schools include Scranton Preparatory School in Scranton (a Jesuit, co-ed college-prep school), Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School in East Stroudsburg (a Catholic, co-ed school), and MMI Preparatory School in Freeland (a co-ed, college-prep day school). For Greentown residents, these schools involve a commute, but they offer robust academic programs, with Scranton Prep and MMI having particularly strong STEM and humanities tracks. Transportation via bus or carpool is a key logistical consideration for Greentown families.
How does Pennsylvania's tuition assistance landscape, like the EITC and OSTC programs, benefit Greentown families considering private schools?
Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs are crucial for many families in Greentown. These programs allow businesses to direct tax dollars to scholarship organizations, which then provide need-based scholarships to students attending private schools. Since the top schools near Greentown (e.g., Scranton Prep, Notre Dame) participate with these scholarship organizations, eligible families can significantly reduce tuition costs. It's essential to apply for financial aid and these scholarships directly through the school as early as possible, as funds are limited and in high demand across the state.
Given Greentown's location in the Poconos, do local private schools offer unique programs related to the environment, outdoors, or regional history?
Yes, the private schools in the broader region leverage the Pocono environment. For example, Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School incorporates outdoor education and environmental science projects that can utilize local state parks and watersheds. MMI Preparatory School emphasizes experiential learning, with potential for field studies in the local geography. While not always a formal "Poconos track," the schools' science and history curricula often include regional studies of the coal mining history (Scranton Prep's area) or the Delaware River ecosystem, providing a contextualized learning experience that resonates with students from communities like Greentown.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Scranton Prep or Notre Dame for a student from Greentown?
The enrollment process for these selective schools begins early. For 9th grade entry, families should start researching in the fall of their child's 7th grade year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held in the fall), registering for and taking the entrance exam (usually the HSPT in November or December of 8th grade), submitting applications by January, and completing financial aid applications simultaneously. For Greentown families, planning for the commute and attending recruitment events, which may be held in the Scranton or Stroudsburg areas, requires advanced scheduling. Admissions are competitive, so early engagement is strongly advised.
How do the extracurricular and athletic opportunities at private schools near Greentown compare to those at the public Wallenpaupack Area School District?
Private schools like Scranton Prep and Notre Dame offer a different scale and focus. They typically have smaller student bodies, which can mean more opportunities for individual participation in leadership roles and a wider variety of clubs relative to their size. Athletically, they compete in different leagues (e.g., Notre Dame in the Colonial League) against other private and small public schools, whereas Wallenpaupack competes in larger PIAA classifications. A key consideration for Greentown athletes is the potential for longer travel times to practices and games at the private schools. The trade-off often comes down to a desire for a specific faith-based or intensive college-prep environment versus the comprehensive, community-centered offerings of the local public district.
Private Education Insights
Find the Best Private High Schools in Greentown, PA: A Parent's Guide
As a parent in Greentown, Pennsylvania, beginning the search for “private secondary schools near me” can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You’re looking for an environment that will challenge and nurture your child, and you want options that are both excellent and accessible. Fortunately, the Greater Scranton area, which Greentown is a part of, is home to several distinguished private secondary institutions, each offering a unique educational philosophy within a manageable commute. Understanding the local landscape is key to finding the right fit for your family.
When considering private secondary schools near you, it’s important to look beyond just geography and delve into each school’s core identity. For instance, Scranton Preparatory School, located just a short drive away in Scranton, is a Jesuit college-preparatory school renowned for its rigorous academics and emphasis on forming “men and women for others.” Its strong community and focus on service can be a powerful draw for families seeking a values-based education alongside top-tier academics. Meanwhile, in East Stroudsburg, Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School offers a coeducational, Catholic environment that balances faith, scholarship, and character development. For many Greentown families, the sense of community and structured support at Notre Dame is a significant factor in their decision-making process.
Another exceptional option within the region is MMI Preparatory School in Freeland. With a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) within a comprehensive liberal arts framework, MMI attracts students who are academically driven and curious. Its smaller size often allows for highly personalized attention, which can be crucial during the pivotal secondary school years. As you research these “private secondary schools near me,” consider scheduling visits and shadow days. Experiencing the daily rhythm of each campus—whether it’s the collaborative atmosphere at Scranton Prep, the faith-integrated classes at Notre Dame, or the focused labs at MMI—will provide insights no brochure can match.
For Greentown residents, the practicalities of commuting are a genuine part of the conversation. Routes like I-380 and I-84 connect our community to these schools, and many families coordinate carpools. It’s also wise to inquire about transportation services or bus options that the schools might facilitate from our area. Financially, while investing in private education is a significant consideration, each of these schools typically offers robust financial aid programs and scholarships. Don’t hesitate to engage directly with their admissions offices to discuss your family’s specific circumstances; they are there to help make their programs accessible.
Ultimately, the search for the right private secondary school is about matching your child’s needs, learning style, and aspirations with an institution’s culture and strengths. The good news for Greentown parents is that you have access to a cluster of outstanding options, each with a proven track record of preparing students for college and beyond. By taking the time to explore what Scranton Prep, Notre Dame, and MMI Preparatory School offer, you are taking a proactive step toward securing an enriching and transformative educational journey for your teenager, right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities