The Best Private Schools in Lanesboro, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lanesboro. 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 students throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Lanesboro area. Founded in 1940, the school maintains a rigorous academic curriculum with 22 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM program. The campus features modern facilities including science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, preparing students for top-tier colleges and universities.
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The Fell School
Independent
The Fell School is a respected private institution located in nearby Clarks Summit that serves families throughout Lackawanna County, including Lanesboro. Established in 1992, the school offers a comprehensive Montessori-based education from preschool through middle school. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated art and music spaces, and extensive outdoor learning environments. Known for its individualized approach to education, The Fell School emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and character development, with strong parent satisfaction ratings and a supportive community atmosphere.
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All Saints Academy
Diocese of Scranton Catholic Schools
All Saints Academy is a well-established Catholic private school serving the greater Scranton area, including Lanesboro families. Founded in 1997, the school provides a faith-based education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade with a strong academic foundation. The curriculum includes comprehensive STEM initiatives, fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. The school features updated facilities including technology-integrated classrooms, science labs, and gymnasium facilities. With a focus on academic excellence and moral development, All Saints Academy maintains small class sizes and has consistently high parent satisfaction ratings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lanesboro, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options serving families in Lanesboro, PA, and what are their educational approaches?
While Lanesboro itself is a small borough, families typically look to nearby Scranton for private education. The top options include Scranton Preparatory School (a Jesuit, college-preparatory school for grades 9-12), The Fell School (an independent, coeducational day school), and All Saints Academy (a private Catholic elementary school). These schools offer distinct philosophies: rigorous Jesuit tradition, independent curriculum, and faith-based elementary education, respectively. Given Lanesboro's location in Lackawanna County, most require a commute into Scranton, but they provide the primary private alternatives to the public Riverside School District.
How does Pennsylvania's tuition assistance landscape, like the EITC and OSTC programs, benefit Lanesboro families considering private schools?
Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs are crucial for Lanesboro families. These programs provide scholarships to eligible students, particularly those residing in low-achieving school districts or meeting income guidelines, to attend participating private schools. Since schools like Scranton Prep, The Fell School, and All Saints Academy typically participate, Lanesboro parents should inquire directly with each school's financial aid office about application processes for these state-funded scholarships, which can significantly offset tuition costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Lanesboro, PA, offer that leverage the regional context?
Private schools in the Scranton area, accessible to Lanesboro residents, often incorporate regional strengths into their programs. Scranton Preparatory School, for instance, has strong STEM partnerships with local universities like The University of Scranton and may offer courses related to Northeastern Pennsylvania's healthcare and engineering sectors. Additionally, many schools emphasize community service and immersion projects within the Lackawanna County community. The Fell School and All Saints Academy may also highlight local history, environmental studies in the Endless Mountains region, and partnerships with cultural institutions like the Everhart Museum.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Scranton Prep that serve Lanesboro students, and are there specific considerations for transfer students?
For competitive schools like Scranton Preparatory School (grades 9-12), the process often begins a full year in advance. Prospective Lanesboro families should attend open houses in the fall, take the entrance exam (typically the HSPT) in winter, and complete applications by early spring for the following academic year. For younger grades at The Fell School or All Saints Academy, timelines may be more flexible but still require early inquiry. As a Riverside School District resident, parents should be mindful of coordinating withdrawal timelines if accepted. Most schools require transcripts, recommendations, and a campus interview as part of their holistic review.
For a family in Lanesboro comparing the local public Riverside School District with private options, what are the key decision factors specific to this area?
The key decision factors for Lanesboro families often center on educational philosophy, class size, and commute. The Riverside School District is a well-regarded public system, but private options offer distinct alternatives: a faith-based foundation (All Saints Academy), a specific independent curriculum (The Fell School), or a highly rigorous college-prep environment (Scranton Prep). Parents must weigh the daily commute to Scranton against the potential for smaller class sizes and specialized programs. Financially, utilizing Pennsylvania's tax credit scholarships can narrow the cost gap. Ultimately, the choice hinges on whether the family seeks a specific religious or pedagogical approach not available in the public system.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Non-Religious Private Schools Near Lanesboro, PA | A Parent's Guide
For families in Lanesboro, Pennsylvania, the search for the right educational environment is deeply personal. When your priorities center on a rigorous academic curriculum, strong community values, and character development without a specific faith-based doctrine, finding excellent non religious private schools near you becomes a key focus. Fortunately, the Lanesboro and greater Scranton area offers several distinguished options that align with this educational philosophy, providing a compelling alternative to both public and parochial school systems. Understanding the local landscape is the first step in making an informed decision for your child’s future.
The concept of a non-religious private school, often termed independent or secular private, is one that operates without affiliation to a particular church or religious order. Their mission statements typically emphasize critical thinking, ethical leadership, and a broad-based liberal arts education. In our region, schools like The Fell School exemplify this model. With a campus that feels both intimate and connected to the natural beauty of Northeastern Pennsylvania, it offers a progressive, student-centered approach. The curriculum is designed to foster intellectual curiosity and personal responsibility, values that resonate with many Lanesboro families seeking a tailored education in a supportive, non-sectarian setting. It’s a place where the focus is squarely on developing the whole child—intellectually, socially, and emotionally—without a prescribed religious component.
Another prominent name in the area is Scranton Preparatory School. While historically founded by Jesuits, it’s important for parents to investigate the current day-to-day experience. Many such schools have evolved, welcoming students of all faiths and backgrounds and framing their teachings around universal values of service and justice, rather than specific religious instruction. It is always advisable to visit and ask detailed questions about chapel requirements, theology classes, and the integration of faith into the core curriculum to see if it matches your family’s preferences for a non-religious environment. Meanwhile, All Saints Academy operates from an Episcopal tradition, which often incorporates spirituality in a more inclusive manner. The key for Lanesboro parents is direct engagement: schedule tours, speak with administrators, and ask precisely how religion is woven into the academic and social fabric of the school.
Your search for non religious private schools near me in Lanesboro also comes with practical local considerations. The commute to schools in Scranton is manageable, but factoring in Pennsylvania’s winter weather is wise. Investigate transportation options, as some schools offer bus services from surrounding boroughs. Furthermore, the investment in private education is significant, so exploring financial aid and scholarship opportunities is crucial. Many of these institutions have robust endowment funds aimed at making their programs accessible. Ultimately, the choice revolves around finding the environment where your child will thrive. By focusing on schools that prioritize academic excellence, character, and inclusive community—values deeply held in our tight-knit Lanesboro area—you can find a secular private education that prepares your student not just for college, but for a life of thoughtful engagement and leadership.
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