The Best Private Schools in La Plume, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in La Plume. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Scranton Preparatory School
Jesuit Schools Network
Scranton Preparatory School is a highly-regarded Jesuit college preparatory school serving the greater Scranton area, including La Plume. Founded in 1940, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 21 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. The 20-acre campus features modern science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. Known for its strong community values and academic excellence, Scranton Prep emphasizes character development alongside intellectual growth through its comprehensive extracurricular programs.
Programs:
Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School
Diocese of Scranton
Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School is a Catholic college preparatory school serving students from multiple counties including Lackawanna County where La Plume is located. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with advanced STEM programs, fine arts, and extensive athletic opportunities. With small class sizes and individualized attention, Notre Dame maintains strong academic results and college placement. The school features modern facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, and athletic complexes, providing a well-rounded education grounded in Catholic values.
Programs:
The Fell Charter School
Fell Charter School Organization
The Fell Charter School serves students from throughout Lackawanna County and surrounding areas, including La Plume. As a public charter school with private school-like features, it offers small class sizes and individualized learning plans. The school provides a comprehensive K-12 education with strong emphasis on STEM subjects, college preparatory coursework, and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and technology resources. The school is known for its strong community involvement and commitment to student success.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in La Plume, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families in or near La Plume, Pennsylvania?
While La Plume itself is a small borough, it is part of the greater Scranton area in Lackawanna County, which offers several notable private institutions. The schools you mentioned, such as Scranton Preparatory School (a Jesuit college-prep school in Scranton) and Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School (a Catholic school in East Stroudsburg, about 45 minutes away), serve the region. The Fell Charter School, located in Simpson, is a public charter school, not a private school. For La Plume residents, other proximate options include schools in Scranton, Clarks Summit, and the Wyoming Seminary system. It's important to visit and confirm each school's specific catchment area and transportation policies.
How does tuition for private schools in the La Plume, PA, area compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, schools like Scranton Prep have tuition around $15,000-$18,000, while diocesan schools like Notre Dame may be in the $8,000-$12,000 range. Pennsylvania offers unique financial aid programs that benefit La Plume families, most notably the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These programs provide need-based scholarships funded by business donations. Additionally, most private schools offer their own need-based financial aid and payment plans. It's crucial to apply for financial aid early, as deadlines often precede admission decisions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near La Plume, PA, specialize in?
Private schools in the Scranton/La Plume region often leverage their specific affiliations and histories. Scranton Preparatory School, for instance, offers a rigorous Jesuit curriculum with a strong emphasis on service learning, robust STEM programs, and renowned debate and robotics teams. Schools in the area may also have specialized partnerships with local colleges and universities, such as the University of Scranton or Marywood University, for advanced coursework. Given the region's history, some schools integrate local environmental science or heritage studies into their curricula. When researching, ask about unique electives, college dual-enrollment opportunities, and signature programs that align with your child's interests.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools serving La Plume, Pennsylvania?
The process for most private schools in this region begins in the fall, a full year before desired enrollment. Key steps include: 1) Attending open houses (often held September-November), 2) Submitting an application by January or February deadlines, 3) Having your child take an entrance exam (like the HSPT for high schools) in the winter, and 4) Completing a family interview. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are typically communicated in March. For younger grades, some schools may have waiting lists. Given La Plume's location, planning for potential transportation is a critical part of the enrollment decision process.
How do the educational environments of private schools near La Plume compare to the public schools in the Lackawanna Trail School District?
La Plume is served by the Lackawanna Trail School District, which provides a solid public education. The key differences with nearby private options often involve class size, religious or value-based education, and curricular focus. Private schools like Scranton Prep typically have smaller average class sizes, a college-preparatory focus with a defined curriculum, and a community built around a specific mission (e.g., Jesuit, Catholic). Public schools offer a broader, state-regulated curriculum and a wider range of extracurriculars by virtue of size. The choice often comes down to a family's priorities for instructional approach, community values, and the willingness to manage tuition against the benefits of a tailored environment.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Private Pre-K Schools Near La Plume, PA
For parents in La Plume, Pennsylvania, the search for “private pre k schools near me” is often the first step on a significant educational journey. Nestled in the heart of Lackawanna County, our community values a strong foundation, and finding the right early learning environment is a priority for many families. While La Plume itself is a smaller borough, its proximity to Scranton and the wider region means parents have access to a variety of exceptional private early childhood programs, each offering distinct philosophies to match your child’s needs. This search is about more than just convenience; it’s about identifying a setting where your young learner’s curiosity is nurtured from the very start.
Understanding the local landscape is key. Many of the esteemed private institutions in our area, such as Scranton Preparatory School and Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School, begin their formal programs at the elementary or secondary level. However, their educational philosophies often influence and are supported by feeder or affiliated early childhood programs in the region. When researching, you’ll find that many dedicated private preschools and early learning centers in nearby Clarks Summit, Dalton, and Scranton share a commitment to academic readiness and character development that aligns with these larger institutions. The Fell Charter School, while a public charter, highlights our community’s focus on tailored education, a sentiment deeply echoed in the private pre-K sector here.
Your search for “private pre k schools near me” in the La Plume area should involve considering what kind of foundation you wish to build. Many local programs emphasize play-based learning, fostering social skills and creativity, while others may incorporate more structured preparatory elements. Given our Northeastern Pennsylvania setting, you’ll also find schools that leverage our natural environment, incorporating outdoor exploration into their daily routines. It’s advisable to look beyond the immediate borough limits and consider the short commute to neighboring communities, where you’ll discover Montessori academies, faith-based preschools, and secular independent programs. Scheduling visits is crucial; observe the classroom dynamic, ask about teacher qualifications and student-to-teacher ratios, and feel the overall culture of the school.
Practically, begin your search by connecting with local parent networks, perhaps through community centers or online groups specific to Lackawanna County. Many families find invaluable recommendations through these personal connections. When you visit a potential school, inquire about their approach to kindergarten readiness and how they support the transition to the next educational step, whether that’s into a local public school like Abington Heights or into a private elementary program. The investment in a private pre-K education in our area is an investment in personalized attention, a supportive community, and a love for learning that can set a positive trajectory for your child’s entire academic career. Taking the time to find the right fit amidst the options near La Plume is a meaningful first chapter in your family’s educational story.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities