The Best Private Schools in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hollidaysburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School is a highly-regarded college preparatory school serving the Hollidaysburg area with a strong tradition of academic excellence. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with 16 Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and competitive athletic teams. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, students receive personalized attention. The school features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes. Bishop Guilfoyle consistently achieves high college acceptance rates and maintains a strong sense of community with active parent involvement.
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Holy Trinity Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Holy Trinity Catholic School provides a comprehensive faith-based education for students from preschool through 8th grade, serving families throughout the Hollidaysburg region. The school emphasizes academic rigor while fostering spiritual development and character formation. Features include technology-integrated classrooms, dedicated science and computer labs, extensive music and art programs, and competitive sports teams. The school maintains small class sizes with certified teachers and offers before/after-school care programs. Parent satisfaction is high with strong community involvement and numerous extracurricular opportunities.
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St. John the Evangelist School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
St. John the Evangelist School offers a well-rounded Catholic education serving students from Hollidaysburg and surrounding communities. The school provides a strong academic foundation with emphasis on faith formation, critical thinking, and character development. Programs include comprehensive STEM education, fine arts instruction, competitive sports, and community service opportunities. The school features updated facilities with smart classrooms, science labs, and library resources. With experienced faculty and strong parent-teacher collaboration, St. John's maintains a supportive learning environment that prepares students for high school success while instilling strong moral values.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and what grade levels do they serve?
Hollidaysburg, PA, is served by a cluster of faith-based private schools, primarily within the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese system. The main institutions are Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School (grades 9-12), Holy Trinity Catholic School (a consolidated elementary school serving grades Pre-K through 8), and St. John the Evangelist School (typically Pre-K through 6). These schools draw students from Hollidaysburg and the wider Blair County area. While Catholic-affiliated schools are the dominant private option, some families also consider nearby independent or faith-based schools in Altoona for additional choices.
How does tuition for private schools in Hollidaysburg, PA, typically work, and are there any Pennsylvania-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition at Hollidaysburg's Catholic schools is set annually by the Diocese and varies by grade level and parish membership. Active, contributing parishioners of supporting Catholic churches usually receive a significantly reduced "parishioner" tuition rate. All families can apply for financial aid through the Diocese's own programs. Additionally, Pennsylvania offers the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These allow businesses to direct tax dollars to scholarship organizations, which then provide need-based scholarships to Pennsylvania students, including those attending Hollidaysburg private schools, to help offset tuition costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private high schools in the Hollidaysburg area, specifically at Bishop Guilfoyle?
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Hollidaysburg distinguishes itself with several signature programs. Academically, it offers a robust Advanced Placement (AP) course selection and a respected STEM curriculum. A notable feature is the "Marauder Academy" for dual enrollment, allowing students to earn college credits from local institutions like Mount Aloysius College. Extracurricularly, BG is renowned for its strong athletics, particularly football, and a comprehensive arts program. Its small size fosters a close-knit community with high college acceptance rates, a characteristic valued by many Hollidaysburg-area families seeking a personalized college-preparatory environment.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for kindergarten or freshman year at Hollidaysburg's private schools?
Enrollment for Hollidaysburg private schools like Holy Trinity (K-8) and Bishop Guilfoyle (9-12) typically begins with open houses in the fall or winter for the following academic year. Priority registration for existing families and parishioners usually occurs in January-February, with open enrollment for new families following. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, sacramental records (for Catholic schools), and often a family interview or student assessment. For Bishop Guilfoyle, 8th graders from feeder schools like Holy Trinity often have a streamlined transition process. It's crucial to contact the school's admissions office directly, as deadlines can vary and spaces, especially in lower grades, may be limited.
For families moving to Hollidaysburg, how do the local private schools compare academically and culturally to the highly-regarded Hollidaysburg Area Public School District?
This is a key consideration in Hollidaysburg. The public district is consistently high-performing, offering a wide range of AP courses, sports, and activities. The choice often hinges on educational philosophy and environment. Hollidaysburg's private schools offer a faith-based education integrating religious values throughout the curriculum, smaller average class sizes, and a distinct community identity. Academically, both sectors are college-preparatory, but private schools like Bishop Guilfoyle provide a more personalized advisory system. Culturally, the private schools have a defined behavioral and dress code ethos. The decision frequently comes down to a family's desire for a religious foundation and intimate setting versus the broader, secular offerings and no-tuition model of the public system.
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