The Best Private Schools in Milanville, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Milanville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Scranton Preparatory School
Jesuits USA East Province
Scranton Preparatory School is a top-tier Jesuit college preparatory school known for academic excellence and serving students from Milanville and the broader region. With a focus on holistic education, it offers a challenging curriculum including numerous AP courses, robust STEM programs, and extensive arts offerings. The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty, and a track record of high college acceptance rates. Parent reviews highlight its strong community, diverse extracurriculars, and commitment to character development.
Programs:
St. Mary's School
Diocese of Scranton
St. Mary's School is a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school serving the Milanville area with a strong academic foundation and faith-based education. Established in 1885, it offers a rigorous curriculum enhanced by STEM programs, arts integration, and small class sizes for personalized learning. The school features modern facilities, dedicated teachers, and a supportive community, with high parent satisfaction ratings for its safe environment and comprehensive extracurricular activities, including music, sports, and community service.
Programs:
Holy Cross High School
Diocese of Scranton
Holy Cross High School provides a comprehensive Catholic education to students in the Milanville area, emphasizing academic rigor and personal growth. Founded in 1957, it offers a college preparatory curriculum with advanced technology integration, vibrant athletic programs, and a variety of clubs and activities. The school is praised for its dedicated teachers, modern campus facilities, and strong sense of community, with parents noting high satisfaction due to its supportive environment and success in preparing students for higher education.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Milanville, Pennsylvania
What are the realistic private school options for a family residing in Milanville, Pennsylvania, given that the top-named schools are in neighboring cities?
While Milanville itself is a small, rural community in Wayne County, families typically look to private schools in the broader Northeast Pennsylvania region. The closest options include parochial elementary schools in Honesdale or Damascus. For secondary education, the schools you mentioned—Scranton Preparatory School and Holy Cross High School—are in Scranton, approximately a 45-60 minute commute. St. Mary's School is also in Scranton. This means Milanville families must factor in significant transportation logistics. Some families also consider private options across the state line in Sullivan County, NY. Exploring carpool networks with other local families is a common strategy to manage the commute.
How does Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program benefit Milanville families considering private school tuition?
Pennsylvania's EITC and OSTC (Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit) programs are crucial financial tools for Milanville families. These programs provide tax credits to businesses that donate to scholarship organizations, which then award need-based scholarships to eligible students. For a family in Milanville, applying for these scholarships through participating organizations (like the Bridge Educational Foundation or the Commonwealth Foundation) can significantly reduce the tuition cost at schools like Scranton Prep or Holy Cross. Eligibility is based on household income and the residency of the local public school district (in this case, the Damascus School District). It's essential to apply early, as funds are limited.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs draw Milanville students to schools like Scranton Preparatory School or Holy Cross High School?
These Scranton-area schools offer programs that are not typically available in Milanville's small public school system. Scranton Prep, a Jesuit college-preparatory school, is renowned for its rigorous STEM curriculum, extensive AP course offerings, and nationally competitive speech and debate team. Holy Cross High School offers strong college-prep academics alongside distinctive programs like its Engineering Academy and dedicated theater arts program. For Milanville students interested in specialized academics, competitive sports leagues, or robust arts programs, these institutions provide a level of breadth and depth that justifies the daily commute for many families.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a Milanville student applying to a private high school like Scranton Prep or Holy Cross?
The process begins over a year in advance. For 9th grade entry, families should attend open houses in the fall of the student's 7th or 8th grade year (often October-November). The application deadline for these competitive schools is usually in early December. A critical step is taking the High School Placement Test (HSPT), typically offered on a Saturday in December or January. Admissions decisions and financial aid/scholarship awards are communicated in February. Given the commute from Milanville, it's highly recommended to schedule a shadow day where your child spends a full day at the school to experience the environment and travel time firsthand.
How do the community and values of a Milanville private school commute differ from the local public school experience?
Choosing a private school in Scranton means your child will be part of a geographically dispersed community, unlike the close-knit, localized environment of the Damascus School District in Milanville. The private school community is built around shared values (often faith-based for schools like Holy Cross or St. Mary's) and academic mission. This can provide a wider social and network base, but requires active effort to participate in events and activities due to the distance. Conversely, the local public school offers immediate community integration and no commute. The decision often hinges on whether a family prioritizes a specific educational philosophy and program over the convenience and hyper-local social fabric of the rural public school.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities