The Best Private Schools in Kersey, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kersey. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Marys Area Catholic Elementary School
St. Marys Catholic School System
St. Marys Area Catholic Elementary School provides a comprehensive Catholic education for students in pre-K through 6th grade. Located approximately 8 miles from Kersey, this well-established school offers a strong academic foundation with integrated faith formation. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated teachers with an average of 15+ years experience, and a robust curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, science labs, and literacy programs. Extracurricular activities include basketball, volleyball, choir, and community service projects. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and strong community involvement.
Programs:
Elk County Catholic High School
Elk County Catholic School System
Elk County Catholic High School serves students in grades 7-12 and is the premier Catholic secondary education institution in the region. Located just 8 miles from Kersey in St. Marys, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with multiple Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and competitive athletics. The campus features modern science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, students receive personalized attention and strong college counseling support. The school has a long tradition of academic excellence and high college acceptance rates.
Programs:
DuBois Central Catholic
DuBois Central Catholic School System
DuBois Central Catholic serves students from pre-K through 12th grade and draws students from Kersey and surrounding communities (approximately 25 miles from Kersey). The school offers a comprehensive faith-based education with strong academic programs, including advanced mathematics, science research opportunities, and comprehensive language arts. Facilities include modern STEM labs, a recently renovated library, athletic complexes, and dedicated arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular activities including competitive sports teams, academic clubs, and community service programs. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's academic rigor and character development focus.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kersey, Pennsylvania
What are the private school options for families living in Kersey, Pennsylvania, and are there any schools directly in town?
There are no private schools physically located within the borough of Kersey itself. However, Kersey families primarily look to several well-regarded Catholic schools in nearby communities within Elk County. The top options include St. Marys Area Catholic Elementary School and Elk County Catholic High School in St. Marys (about a 10-minute drive), and DuBois Central Catholic in DuBois (a longer commute, roughly 30 minutes). These schools serve as the primary private education institutions for the Kersey area, with many families carpooling. For non-religious private options, families often need to consider a significant commute to larger regional centers.
How does tuition at Catholic schools near Kersey, PA, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition at the Catholic schools serving Kersey is generally below the Pennsylvania state average for private schools, reflecting the region's cost of living and the schools' mission to be accessible. For the 2023-2024 school year, elementary tuition at St. Marys Area Catholic is approximately $3,000-$4,000, while Elk County Catholic High School tuition is around $6,000-$7,000. These schools, along with DuBois Central Catholic, offer substantial financial aid through parish subsidies for active members, sibling discounts, and need-based scholarships funded by local donors and the Diocese of Erie. Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs are also crucial, providing need-based scholarships that many local families utilize.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Kersey, PA, offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools like Elk County Catholic High School and DuBois Central Catholic offer programs that connect students to the region's identity. This includes robust STEM courses with ties to local industries like forestry, manufacturing, and healthcare (via partnerships with UPMC Cole in nearby Coudersport). Agricultural science and environmental studies are emphasized, taking advantage of the surrounding Pennsylvania Wilds. Extracurriculars often feature strong outdoor activities like hiking clubs, ski teams, and conservation projects. Furthermore, these schools place a significant focus on community service, deeply integrating students into local volunteer opportunities throughout Elk and Clearfield Counties, fostering a strong sense of regional stewardship.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for the Catholic schools that Kersey students attend?
The enrollment process for schools like St. Marys Area Catholic and Elk County Catholic High School typically begins in January or February for the following academic year. Priority is often given to: 1) siblings of currently enrolled students, 2) active members of supporting parishes (e.g., St. Boniface in Kersey), and 3) new families from the wider community. The process involves submitting an application, providing sacramental records (for Catholics), academic records, and often a family interview. Given the small, tight-knit nature of these schools, it's advisable for Kersey parents to initiate contact early, especially for entry into kindergarten, 6th grade, or 9th grade, as some grades have limited seats.
For a family in Kersey, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Elk County Catholic School District) and the nearby private Catholic schools?
The decision often centers on educational philosophy, cost, and community. The public school, likely Ridgway Area School District for Kersey residents, offers a tax-funded education with a broad range of state-mandated programs. The private Catholic schools offer a faith-based education integrated into all subjects, typically smaller class sizes, and a consistent disciplinary environment from elementary through high school. A major practical consideration is transportation; while public schools provide busing, private school families in Kersey must arrange their own transportation to St. Marys or DuBois. Many families value the continuity of a K-12 Catholic education community, which can mean longer daily commutes but a deeply rooted social and spiritual network aligned with the region's strong Catholic heritage.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities