The Best Private Schools in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Huntingdon. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Huntingdon Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Huntingdon Christian Academy is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving the Huntingdon community with a comprehensive K-12 program. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, offering small class sizes and individualized attention. Their curriculum includes advanced placement opportunities, strong STEM programs, and comprehensive college preparatory courses. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. The school is known for its strong community involvement and high parent satisfaction ratings.
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State College Friends School
Religious Society of Friends
ReligiousLocated approximately 30 minutes from Huntingdon, State College Friends School serves families throughout central Pennsylvania with its distinguished Quaker education program. The school emphasizes experiential learning, social responsibility, and academic excellence. Their curriculum includes project-based learning, outdoor education, and strong arts integration. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, allowing for personalized instruction. Facilities include dedicated art studios, science labs, and extensive outdoor learning spaces. Many Huntingdon families choose this school for its strong community values and exceptional academic preparation.
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Beacon School
Independent Specialized Education
Serving Huntingdon and surrounding counties, Beacon School provides specialized private education for students with unique learning needs. Located in Altoona (approximately 40 minutes from Huntingdon), the school offers comprehensive educational programs tailored to individual student requirements. Their approach combines academic instruction with therapeutic support, behavioral intervention, and life skills development. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including sensory rooms, vocational training areas, and specialized classrooms. Beacon School is highly regarded for its expert staff, individualized education plans, and strong track record of student success and parent satisfaction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available within Huntingdon, PA, and what are their educational approaches?
Within Huntingdon borough, the main K-12 option is Huntingdon Christian Academy, which offers a Biblically-integrated curriculum in a non-denominational Christian setting. For families willing to commute, notable nearby options include the State College Friends School (approximately 30 minutes away), which provides a Quaker-based, progressive education emphasizing community and social responsibility, and the Beacon School in State College, which specializes in serving students with learning differences. The private school landscape in Huntingdon is characterized by smaller, mission-driven institutions rather than a wide array of large, independent schools, making it important to consider commuting to neighboring towns for more variety.
How does tuition for private schools in the Huntingdon, PA, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Huntingdon area is generally below the Pennsylvania private school average, reflecting the region's cost of living. For example, Huntingdon Christian Academy's tuition is often several thousand dollars less per year than comparable schools in major metropolitan areas. Pennsylvania offers several state-specific financial aid programs that Huntingdon families can access, most notably the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These programs provide tuition assistance through scholarships funded by business donations, and most local private schools participate. Additionally, individual schools offer need-based financial aid, and some, like the State College Friends School, have dedicated scholarship funds.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Huntingdon area offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Huntingdon area often integrate Central Pennsylvania's unique resources into their programs. Given Huntingdon's proximity to Juniata College, some schools facilitate partnerships or dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students. The surrounding natural environment of the Allegheny Mountains and Raystown Lake is utilized for environmental science, outdoor education, and field trips. Furthermore, schools like Huntingdon Christian Academy may emphasize agricultural science or local history, connecting classroom learning to the region's heritage. The Beacon School’s specialized programs are designed to help students with learning challenges engage with these local resources in supportive, tailored ways.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Huntingdon, PA, and are there important local deadlines?
The enrollment process for Huntingdon-area private schools often begins in the winter for the following fall, with key deadlines between January and March. Huntingdon Christian Academy typically has a rolling admissions policy but encourages early application to secure placement. For the sought-after schools in nearby State College, like the Friends School, applications are usually due in February for the next academic year. A common and critical local step is applying for Pennsylvania tax credit scholarships (EITC/OSTC) as soon as applications open in July, as these funds are distributed first-come, first-served and are a vital resource for many families. Most schools require a campus visit, student assessment, and records review as part of their process.
For a family in Huntingdon, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school?
The key considerations involve educational philosophy, class size, and specific student needs. The Huntingdon Area School District provides a comprehensive public education, but families may seek private options for a specific religious foundation (as at Huntingdon Christian Academy), a particular pedagogical approach like Quaker values (at State College Friends), or specialized support for learning differences (at Beacon School). Private schools in the area offer significantly smaller class sizes, often with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. However, this choice may involve a commute to State College and the financial commitment of tuition. Families should also consider that private schools in this region may have more limited extracurricular offerings compared to the larger public high school, but provide a more close-knit community environment.
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