The Best Private Schools in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lewis Run. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Bernard School
Diocese of Erie Catholic School System
St. Bernard School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Lewis Run and greater Bradford area. The school offers comprehensive education from Pre-K through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning combined with rigorous academics. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated STEM labs, and comprehensive athletic programs. Parent reviews consistently praise the small class sizes, individualized attention, and strong sense of community. The school maintains high academic standards with graduates consistently performing well in area high schools.
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Bradford Area Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Bradford Area Christian Academy serves students from Lewis Run and surrounding communities with a comprehensive K-12 Christian education program. The school emphasizes college preparatory academics integrated with biblical worldview training. Facilities include modern science labs, computer technology centers, and dedicated art and music spaces. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including competitive sports, drama productions, and community service programs. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's academic rigor and character development focus.
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Archbishop Walsh Academy
Southern Tier Catholic School
Located in nearby Olean, New York, Archbishop Walsh Academy serves students from the Lewis Run region and is one of the few schools in the area offering International Baccalaureate programs. The school provides a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with strong STEM emphasis and comprehensive athletic programs. Facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, and modern athletic complexes. The school has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and prepares students for top-tier colleges and universities. Many families from Pennsylvania choose this school for its advanced academic offerings and proven track record of student success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania
What are the private school options available for families living in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania, and are they located within the town itself?
Lewis Run itself is a small borough, so most private school options are located in the broader McKean County area, with several well-regarded institutions a short commute away. The primary options include St. Bernard School (K-6 Catholic school in Bradford), Bradford Area Christian Academy (K-12 interdenominational Christian school in Bradford), and Archbishop Walsh Academy (7-12 Catholic school in Olean, NY, just across the state line). For Lewis Run residents, this means considering a daily drive to Bradford, approximately 5-10 minutes, or to Olean, about 20-25 minutes. There are no private schools physically located within the borough limits of Lewis Run.
How does tuition at private schools near Lewis Run, PA, compare to the Pennsylvania state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Lewis Run/Bradford area is generally below the Pennsylvania state average for private education, reflecting the region's cost of living. For the 2023-2024 school year, elementary tuition often ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 annually, while high school can be $7,000 to $10,000. Pennsylvania offers significant financial aid opportunities that Lewis Run families can access, most notably the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These programs provide need-based scholarships, and all the local private schools participate. Additionally, most schools offer parish subsidies for affiliated church members, payment plans, and their own institutional aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving the Lewis Run community that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools near Lewis Run offer distinct programs tailored to their missions. Archbishop Walsh Academy, for example, offers a unique partnership with St. Bonaventure University for college-level courses and a strong emphasis on classical education. Bradford Area Christian Academy incorporates a biblical worldview across all subjects and may offer smaller, specialized electives. St. Bernard School provides a structured, faith-based foundation in early education. A common differentiator for all these schools is their very small class sizes (often 10-15 students), which is a significant contrast to the larger regional public school districts. This allows for highly individualized attention, a feature highly valued by many parents in the area.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Bradford/Lewis Run area, and when should parents apply?
The enrollment process for private schools in this region typically begins in January or February for the following fall semester, with priority deadlines often in March or April. However, due to their small sizes, these schools frequently operate on a rolling admissions basis and accept applications throughout the year as space permits. The process usually involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and a family interview or tour. For Lewis Run families, it's crucial to apply early, especially for specific grade levels that have limited seats. Contacting the schools of interest by early winter is highly recommended to secure placement and complete any necessary financial aid paperwork for EITC scholarships.
For a family in Lewis Run, what are the key considerations when choosing between the Bradford Area School District public schools and the local private school options?
The decision often centers on educational philosophy, class size, cost, and convenience. The Bradford Area School District offers a no-tuition option with extensive extracurriculars, sports, and broader program diversity due to its larger size. The private options provide a specific religious or values-based education (Catholic or Christian), exceptionally small class sizes for personalized learning, and a close-knit community atmosphere. For Lewis Run residents, logistics are key: the public school bus system serves the borough directly, while private school requires personal transportation to Bradford or Olean. Financially, the cost of private tuition must be weighed against the potential benefits, often offset by tax credit scholarships. Many local families value the discipline and community focus of the private schools as a defining factor.
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