The Best Private Schools in Orefield, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Orefield. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Swain School
Independent
The Swain School is a highly-regarded independent school serving the Lehigh Valley area including Orefield. Founded in 1946, it offers a comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade with small class sizes and individualized attention. The school emphasizes academic excellence with strong STEM programs, arts integration, and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. Parents consistently praise the nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, and strong community atmosphere that prepares students for success in high school and beyond.
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Moravian Academy
Independent
Moravian Academy is one of the oldest and most prestigious independent schools in the nation, serving students from Orefield and throughout the Lehigh Valley. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with International Baccalaureate programs across three campuses. With exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and comprehensive extracurricular offerings including competitive athletics and extensive arts programs, Moravian provides an outstanding educational experience. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes global citizenship, critical thinking, and character development.
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Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School
Charter School
Lehigh Valley Academy is a highly-rated International Baccalaureate World School serving students from Orefield and surrounding communities. As a public charter school with private school-level academic rigor, it offers the complete IB continuum from Primary Years through Diploma Program. The school features strong STEM programs, dedicated faculty, and a diverse student body. With modern facilities, comprehensive extracurricular activities, and a focus on developing internationally-minded learners, LVA provides an exceptional education that prepares students for college and global citizenship. The school receives high marks for academic challenge and supportive learning environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Orefield, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private and charter school options serving families in Orefield, PA, and what are their educational approaches?
Orefield, PA, is served by several notable private and charter institutions. The Swain School, located in nearby Allentown, is a prestigious Pre-K through 8th grade independent school known for its progressive, student-centered approach and strong arts integration. Moravian Academy, with its historic Upper School campus in Bethlehem, offers a rigorous Pre-K through 12 college preparatory program rooted in Moravian values of community and intellectual curiosity. While technically a public charter, Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School in Bethlehem is a popular tuition-free option with an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. For Orefield residents, these schools represent a range of philosophies from progressive independent to classical college-prep and IB-focused charter education.
How does tuition for private schools in the Orefield, PA, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Orefield area varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, The Swain School's tuition ranges from approximately $20,000 for lower grades to $25,000 for middle school. Moravian Academy's tuition is higher, often exceeding $30,000 for upper school grades, reflecting its Pre-K-12 continuum and extensive facilities. Both schools offer robust need-based financial aid, with many families receiving grants that do not require repayment. Pennsylvania also offers tax-advantaged programs like the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC), which provide scholarships for eligible students attending participating private schools, helping to offset costs for middle-income families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Orefield students?
Schools serving Orefield provide distinctive programs. Moravian Academy emphasizes global education, with extensive language offerings and study abroad opportunities starting in middle school. The Swain School is renowned for its "Swain Innovates" program, integrating design thinking, robotics, and entrepreneurship across all grades, and has a nationally recognized visual and performing arts department. Lehigh Valley Academy, as an IB World School, offers the IB Diploma Programme for high schoolers, a rare and rigorous curriculum in the region. Furthermore, given Orefield's location in the Lehigh Valley, many schools leverage partnerships with local colleges, tech companies, and cultural institutions for enhanced learning.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like The Swain School and Moravian Academy for Orefield residents?
The admission process for top private schools near Orefield is competitive and begins early. Prospective families should initiate inquiries 12-18 months before desired entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically in the fall), submitting applications by January deadlines for the following academic year, and completing student assessments/visits and parent interviews in the winter. Financial aid applications are usually due concurrently with admission applications. Notification of decisions is often released in March. Given the limited seats, especially in entry-level grades (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th), early planning is crucial. Many schools also host summer tours for families who miss the main cycle.
How do the class sizes and community environments of Orefield-area private schools compare to the local public Parkland School District?
The defining difference is scale and personalization. The Parkland School District, which serves Orefield, is a large, high-performing public district with comprehensive programs but larger class sizes, often 25+ students. In contrast, private options like The Swain School and Moravian Academy maintain small class sizes, typically between 12-18 students, allowing for highly individualized attention. The community environment is also more intimate, with strong parent involvement and a consistent cohort from year to year. While Parkland offers extensive AP courses and athletics, private schools provide a more tailored academic path, character-focused education, and often more niche extracurriculars (e.g., debate, robotics, specialized arts). The choice often hinges on a family's priority for a close-knit, values-based community versus the breadth and diversity of a large public system.
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