The Best Private Schools in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Johnstown. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Johnstown Christian School
Independent Christian School
Johnstown Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian school serving the Johnstown area with a comprehensive K-12 program. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong college preparation. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school offers robust extracurricular programs including competitive sports, music, drama, and community service opportunities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, strong academics, and character development focus.
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Divine Mercy Catholic Academy - Altoona Campus
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Schools
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy serves families throughout the greater Johnstown-Altoona region with a comprehensive Catholic education program. While located in Altoona, the school serves many families from the Johnstown area and represents one of the top-rated private educational options in the region. The academy features modern facilities, dedicated faculty, and a strong emphasis on faith formation alongside academic excellence. Programs include integrated STEAM curriculum, early childhood education, and comprehensive elementary programs. Parents consistently rate the school highly for its nurturing environment, strong academics, and community atmosphere.
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Bishop McCort Catholic High School
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Bishop McCort Catholic High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school located in the heart of Johnstown. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with multiple Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. Facilities include modern science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, athletic complex, and performing arts center. The school maintains strong athletic traditions and offers numerous clubs and service opportunities. Parent reviews highlight the school's strong community, academic rigor, and successful college placement record.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
What are the primary types of private schools available in Johnstown, PA, and what distinguishes them?
Johnstown, PA, offers a few distinct types of private schools, primarily faith-based institutions. The main options include parochial Catholic schools like Bishop McCort Catholic High School (grades 9-12) and Divine Mercy Catholic Academy (which serves younger grades, with a campus in nearby Altoona), and an independent Christian school, Johnstown Christian School (PreK-12). The distinction lies in their educational philosophy and community; Catholic schools often follow diocesan curriculum with sacramental preparation, while independent Christian schools may have a nondenominational Biblical integration across all subjects. There is a notable absence of secular private or independent day schools in the immediate Johnstown area, which is an important consideration for families.
How does the tuition at Johnstown private schools compare to the Pennsylvania state average, and what financial aid options are locally available?
Tuition at Johnstown's private schools is generally below the Pennsylvania state average for private education, reflecting the region's lower cost of living. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition ranges from approximately $5,000 to $10,000 annually, with elementary grades at the lower end and high school at the higher end. All major schools offer need-based financial aid, and Pennsylvania state programs are critical. Families should actively apply for the **Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)** and **Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC)** programs, which provide tuition assistance through scholarship organizations. Additionally, Bishop McCort and Johnstown Christian School have active alumni and parish support networks that fund additional scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Johnstown-area private schools offer that leverage the local community?
Johnstown private schools often create programs that connect students to the region's heritage and needs. Bishop McCort Catholic High School, for instance, has strong ties to the local healthcare network (like Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center) for STEM and pre-med pathways. Johnstown Christian School emphasizes agricultural science and environmental stewardship, utilizing the surrounding rural landscape. Furthermore, given Johnstown's history of industry and resilience, schools often incorporate community service and engineering projects related to flood control and community revitalization into their curricula. Athletics, particularly football, basketball, and wrestling, are deeply embedded in the school culture and provide significant regional rivalry experiences.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Johnstown, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Johnstown private schools typically begins in January for the following fall, with priority deadlines often in March. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and usually a family interview or student assessment. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in popular grades like kindergarten and 9th grade, it is advisable to apply early. While large waitlists are less common than in metropolitan areas, Bishop McCort's freshman class and Johnstown Christian School's early elementary grades can fill quickly. Many schools host open houses in the fall, and attending these is the best first step for Johnstown families.
For a family considering private versus public schools in Johnstown, PA, what are the key decision factors specific to this area?
In Johnstown, the decision often hinges on class size, religious education, and specific academic focus. Johnstown City School District and surrounding public districts face challenges with funding and larger class sizes. Private schools here offer significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios (often 12:1 or lower), which is a major draw. The second factor is the desire for a faith-based education, which the public system cannot provide. Third, families seeking a consistent, college-preparatory track from K-12 may prefer the continuity of a school like Johnstown Christian School over navigating different public elementary, middle, and high schools. However, families must weigh this against tuition costs, as public schools offer robust extracurriculars and transportation, which some private schools in Johnstown may not provide.
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