The Best Private Schools in Midland, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Midland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Sewickley Academy
Sewickley Academy
Sewickley Academy is one of Pittsburgh's premier independent schools serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade, including families from the Midland area. As the only school in Pittsburgh offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, it provides a globally-focused education with exceptional academic rigor. The 15-acre campus features modern STEM labs, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio and has a strong tradition of sending graduates to top-tier colleges and universities.
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The Ellis School
The Ellis School
The Ellis School is Pittsburgh's only independent school for girls, serving students from age 3 through grade 12 and drawing students from throughout the greater Pittsburgh region including Midland. The school emphasizes leadership development, STEM education, and global citizenship through its innovative curriculum. Ellis features state-of-the-art science and innovation labs, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. The school maintains a 100% college matriculation rate with graduates regularly accepted to Ivy League and other highly selective institutions. Transportation options are available for students from surrounding areas.
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Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School is a nationally recognized performing arts school located directly in Midland. The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory academic program integrated with intensive arts training in music, theater, dance, literary arts, and media arts. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities including a 750-seat mainstage theater, black box theater, recording studios, and professional-grade practice spaces. The school serves students from over 90 school districts across the region and maintains strong college acceptance rates with graduates attending top arts conservatories and universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Midland, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Midland, Pennsylvania, and are they located within the town itself?
While Midland, PA, is a smaller borough, families have access to several highly-regarded private and charter school options in the broader region, though they are not located within Midland's immediate town limits. Notable schools include Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland (a public charter school with a specialized arts focus, requiring an application), Sewickley Academy in Sewickley (a prestigious, independent Pre-K through 12 college preparatory day school), and The Ellis School in Pittsburgh (an all-girls independent school). Most options will involve a commute, making transportation a key consideration for Midland residents.
How does Pennsylvania's tuition assistance landscape, like the EITC and OSTC programs, benefit families considering private schools near Midland?
Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs are crucial for families in Midland seeking private education. These programs allow businesses to direct tax dollars to scholarship organizations, which then provide need-based scholarships to eligible students. Many private schools in the Pittsburgh region, including those accessible to Midland families, participate with these scholarship organizations. It's essential to inquire directly with schools like Sewickley Academy or The Ellis School about their specific scholarship partners and application processes, as this can significantly offset tuition costs.
For a student in Midland with a strong interest in the performing arts, what unique program is locally available, and how does its enrollment work?
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, located in Midland itself, is a unique public charter school specializing in performing and media arts alongside a college-prep curriculum. For Midland residents, this provides a distinctive, tuition-free option (as a public charter) with intensive training in areas like theater, music, dance, and digital media. Enrollment is not automatic; it requires an application process that typically includes an audition or portfolio review for the arts specialty. There are also lotteries for non-arts focused seats. Deadlines are strict, so parents should check the school's website for application windows well in advance of the school year.
What are the key factors in the enrollment timeline for competitive private day schools like Sewickley Academy for a family from Midland?
For top-tier independent schools like Sewickley Academy, the enrollment process for Midland families begins over a year in advance. Key steps typically include: initiating inquiries in the summer or early fall prior to desired entry, attending open houses (often in the fall), completing applications by January or February, and participating in student assessments and interviews during the winter. Admission decisions are usually released in March. Given the commute from Midland (approximately 40 minutes), families should also thoroughly explore transportation options and potentially carpool networks during the visit process.
How do the educational environments and outcomes of the leading private schools accessible from Midland, PA, compare to the local public school district?
Midland is served by the Western Beaver County School District. The private/charter options differ significantly in environment and offerings. Lincoln Park provides a specialized, arts-immersive environment not available in the standard public curriculum. Schools like Sewickley Academy offer a highly resourced, low student-to-teacher ratio college-prep environment with extensive extracurriculars, often leading to matriculation at highly selective universities. The Ellis School offers a single-gender, STEM-focused environment for girls. The comparison hinges on a family's priorities: specialized training, college placement, specific pedagogical approaches, and willingness to commute versus the local, comprehensive public education provided in the community.
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