The Best Private Schools in Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hazleton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
MMI Preparatory School
Independent
MMI Preparatory School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving the Greater Hazleton area. Founded in 1884, it offers a rigorous academic curriculum with small class sizes and personalized attention. The school features comprehensive STEM programs, extensive Advanced Placement course offerings, and strong college placement records. Students benefit from modern facilities, competitive athletics, and diverse extracurricular activities including robotics, arts, and community service programs. MMI consistently ranks among the top private schools in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
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Notre Dame High School
Diocese of Allentown
Notre Dame High School serves students from across Eastern Pennsylvania, including the Hazleton region, as a premier Catholic college preparatory institution. The school offers a comprehensive academic program featuring advanced placement courses, a dedicated STEM academy, and robust fine arts programs. With modern facilities including state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complex, Notre Dame provides a well-rounded educational experience. The school emphasizes character development, community service, and leadership training while maintaining strong college acceptance rates to prestigious universities throughout the country.
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Holy Family Academy
Diocese of Scranton
Holy Family Academy is a Catholic college preparatory school located in Hazleton, providing faith-based education from preschool through 12th grade. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a values-based environment, offering advanced coursework, technology integration, and comprehensive college counseling. Facilities include modern science labs, computer labs, and athletic facilities. The school maintains strong community ties and offers diverse extracurricular opportunities including music, drama, sports, and service learning programs. Holy Family has a long-standing reputation for preparing students for higher education success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hazleton, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Hazleton, PA, and what are their educational philosophies?
Hazleton, PA, offers a few established private school options, each with a distinct focus. MMI Preparatory School is a prestigious, independent, college-preparatory day school serving grades 6-12, known for its rigorous STEM and liberal arts curriculum. Holy Family Academy is a private, Catholic elementary school (Pre-K through 8th grade) providing faith-based education. Notre Dame High School in nearby East Stroudsburg (a common choice for Hazleton-area families) is a private, Catholic high school offering a comprehensive academic and extracurricular program. This limited selection means many Hazleton-area families also consider private schools in surrounding Luzerne County or the Lehigh Valley, necessitating consideration of commute times.
How does tuition at Hazleton-area private schools compare to the Pennsylvania state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Hazleton's private schools is generally below the state average for similar institutions in major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, reflecting the local cost of living. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at MMI Preparatory School is approximately $15,000, while Holy Family Academy's elementary tuition is significantly lower. Pennsylvania offers several unique financial aid avenues that Hazleton families can utilize. The most significant is the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, which provide need-based scholarships funded by business donations. Additionally, all the local private schools offer their own need-based financial aid and, for Catholic schools, parish subsidy programs for active members.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are unique to private schools in the Hazleton, PA, region?
Private schools in the Hazleton area leverage their smaller size to offer specialized programs that cater to regional interests and future career pathways. MMI Preparatory School stands out with its renowned Pre-Engineering program and extensive Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings, directly aligning with Pennsylvania's growing focus on tech and engineering industries. Furthermore, given Hazleton's diverse demographic makeup, schools like Holy Family Academy often emphasize cultural awareness and language foundations. Extracurricularly, schools may have strong programs in areas like robotics, mining heritage education (reflecting the region's history), and outdoor education utilizing the nearby Pocono Mountains.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools in Hazleton, PA?
The enrollment process for Hazleton-area private schools often begins in the fall prior to the desired academic year, with many schools hosting open houses from September to November. For a school like MMI Preparatory School, the process is formal and includes an application, academic records review, teacher recommendations, and a required entrance exam (typically the STS/HSPT). Catholic schools like Holy Family Academy may prioritize registered parishioners and have deadlines for parish subsidy applications. A key Pennsylvania-specific timeline involves the EITC/OSTC scholarship applications, which open on July 1st; families are advised to apply the moment the portal opens due to high demand and limited funds.
How do the academic environments and outcomes of private schools in Hazleton, PA, compare to the Hazleton Area School District public schools?
The choice in Hazleton often centers on school environment, class size, and specific academic focus. The Hazleton Area School District is one of the largest in Pennsylvania by enrollment, offering diverse programs but with much larger average class sizes. Private schools like MMI and Holy Family offer significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for more individualized attention. Academically, MMI consistently posts standardized test scores and college acceptance rates that exceed state and national averages. For families seeking a faith-based education or a specific college-prep rigor, the private options provide a distinct alternative. However, the public district offers a wider range of vocational-technical (CTC) programs and extracurricular activities simply due to its scale. The decision heavily depends on a family's priorities for community, cost, and educational approach.
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