The Best Private Schools in Oakmont, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oakmont. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Shady Side Academy
Shady Side Academy
Shady Side Academy is a prestigious independent school serving the Oakmont and greater Pittsburgh area with a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum across four campus locations, with the Senior School located just minutes from Oakmont. Students benefit from small class sizes, exceptional faculty with advanced degrees, and state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement, with robust extracurricular programs in athletics, arts, and community service.
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Winchester Thurston School
Winchester Thurston School
Winchester Thurston School is a highly-regarded independent school serving Oakmont families with two campus locations in Pittsburgh. The school is known for its innovative "City as Our Campus" program that leverages Pittsburgh's resources for experiential learning. WT offers a challenging academic program with strong college placement records, featuring advanced placement courses, extensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, ensuring personalized attention. Facilities include modern classrooms, science and technology labs, and extensive athletic facilities.
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Oakland Catholic High School
Oakland Catholic High School
Oakland Catholic High School is a premier all-girls Catholic college preparatory school serving the Oakmont area and greater Pittsburgh region. The school provides a rigorous academic environment focused on empowering young women through education. The curriculum includes extensive AP course offerings, specialized STEM programs, and comprehensive arts education. Located in the heart of Oakland's educational district, students have access to university resources and cultural institutions. The school emphasizes leadership development, community service, and spiritual growth alongside academic achievement, with strong college acceptance rates to selective universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oakmont, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, and are they located within the borough?
While Oakmont itself is a residential borough, it is situated within a region renowned for its prestigious private schools. The most prominent options, as you noted, include Shady Side Academy (with campuses in Fox Chapel and Point Breeze), Winchester Thurston School (in Shadyside and the North Hills), and Oakland Catholic High School (in Oakland). These schools are all within a 15-25 minute commute from Oakmont. There are no major private K-12 institutions physically located within the Oakmont borough limits, making the surrounding Pittsburgh suburbs the primary source for private education. Many Oakmont families also consider The Ellis School, St. Edmund's Academy, and The University School.
How does Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program affect private school tuition for Oakmont residents?
Pennsylvania's EITC and OSTC (Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit) programs are crucial financial considerations for Oakmont families. These programs allow businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations, which then provide need-based scholarships to eligible students attending private schools. Many of the schools serving Oakmont, like Shady Side Academy and Winchester Thurston, have robust financial aid offices that actively help families apply for these state-sponsored scholarships. Eligibility is based on household income, with specific thresholds (e.g., for a family of four, an annual income of approximately $117,000 or less for EITC). This can significantly reduce the net tuition cost for qualifying Oakmont residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Oakmont, PA, area that leverage nearby resources?
Private schools in the Oakmont/Pittsburgh area excel at leveraging the city's world-class institutions for specialized programs. For example, Shady Side Academy's strong science curriculum has partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University and UPMC. Winchester Thurston is known for its City as Our Campus program, where students regularly use Pittsburgh's museums, theaters, and rivers for experiential learning. Oakland Catholic, given its location, offers unique access to internships and mentorship programs in the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon ecosystem. Furthermore, schools often utilize the Allegheny River and nearby parks for environmental science and crew teams, a direct benefit for Oakmont's riverfront community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Shady Side Academy for an Oakmont family, and are there key local deadlines?
The enrollment process for top-tier Pittsburgh-area private schools is highly structured and begins early. For Oakmont families, the key timeline is as follows: Inquiry and open houses typically occur in the fall (September-November). Application deadlines are usually in early to mid-January for the following academic year. Standardized testing (like the ISEE or SSAT) and student interviews/visits are scheduled for winter. Admission decisions and financial aid awards are released in March. It is critical to note that while these schools draw from the entire region, being from a community like Oakmont is neither an advantage nor disadvantage; admission is based on the holistic review of the applicant. Starting the process 12-18 months in advance is strongly advised.
How do the academic and community environments of private schools serving Oakmont compare to the highly-rated Riverview School District?
This is a fundamental decision for Oakmont parents. The Riverview School District is consistently ranked among the top public districts in Pennsylvania, offering a strong, tuition-free education with a tight-knit community feel. The choice often comes down to specific needs and values. Private options like Shady Side or Winchester Thurston typically offer smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, distinct pedagogical approaches (e.g., more progressive or classical), and often more extensive resources in arts, technology, and college counseling. They also draw a geographically diverse student body from across the region. The public Riverview district provides excellent academics within the local community, with the benefits of neighborhood-based friendships and extensive extracurriculars. The decision frequently hinges on the desired educational philosophy, the importance of a religious foundation (as with Oakland Catholic), and the family's budget for tuition.
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