The Best Private Schools in Rome, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rome. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Scranton Preparatory School
Jesuit Schools Network
Scranton Preparatory School is a highly-regarded Jesuit college preparatory school serving students throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Rome area. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 21 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Scranton Prep maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and has been recognized for academic excellence. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes.
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Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School
Diocese of Scranton
Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School provides a comprehensive Catholic education serving students from Rome and surrounding communities. The school offers a strong college preparatory curriculum with honors and advanced courses, along with robust technology and fine arts programs. With a focus on character development and academic excellence, Notre Dame features modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular activities including competitive sports teams and student organizations.
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Allentown Central Catholic High School
Diocese of Allentown
Allentown Central Catholic High School is a distinguished Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Rome and the broader northeastern Pennsylvania region. The school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, along with specialized academies in STEM and performing arts. With a commitment to academic excellence and faith formation, Central Catholic features state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology labs, performing arts center, and comprehensive athletic facilities. The school has a strong tradition of academic achievement and college placement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rome, Pennsylvania
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Rome, Pennsylvania, given that the top-named schools are in other cities?
While Rome itself is a small borough, families typically look to surrounding areas in Lackawanna and neighboring counties. The schools often considered, like Scranton Preparatory School (in Scranton) and Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School (in East Stroudsburg), involve a commute of 30-60 minutes. It's important to research transportation options, as some schools may offer bus service from designated areas or parents organize carpools. Truly local private options within Rome are extremely limited, so expanding your geographic search radius is essential. Allentown Central Catholic, for example, would be a very lengthy commute and is generally not practical for Rome residents.
How does Pennsylvania's tuition assistance landscape, like the EITC and OSTC programs, benefit Rome families considering private schools?
Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs are crucial for many families. These programs provide scholarships to eligible students, significantly reducing the out-of-pocket cost of private school tuition. For Rome families, applying for these scholarships is a primary financial step. The process is managed by the individual private schools or their affiliated scholarship organizations (e.g., the Foundation for Catholic Education in Scranton). Eligibility often depends on household income and the student's residence, with priority sometimes given to students from low-performing public schools. Starting the financial aid conversation early with your target school's admissions office is key.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are emphasized by the private schools accessible to Rome, PA, students?
Schools in the region often leverage their religious affiliations or independent status to offer distinct programs. Scranton Preparatory School, a Jesuit college-prep school, emphasizes a rigorous liberal arts curriculum with required theology and community service. Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School offers a strong STEM program and a 1:1 technology initiative. While not all are Catholic, many top options have a faith-based component, integrating values into education. For extracurriculars, given the rural/suburban setting of Rome, many schools have robust outdoor and athletic programs, but also specialize in areas like robotics, music, and debate that may be less available in smaller local public districts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Scranton Prep for a student from Rome?
The timeline is aggressive and requires planning a year or more in advance. For a fall start, the process often begins in the prior summer or early fall with open houses. Applications for schools like Scranton Prep are typically due in November or December of the year before enrollment. This is followed by a required entrance exam (usually the HSPT) in December or January. Financial aid and EITC/OSTC scholarship applications run concurrently in early winter. Admissions decisions and financial aid offers are typically released in February or March. For Rome families, factoring in visit and testing travel time is an important logistical consideration.
For a family in rural Rome, what are the tangible trade-offs between the local public school and commuting to a private school?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. The local public school, likely within the Blue Ridge or Western Wayne school districts, offers proximity, no tuition, and deep community integration. The trade-off for a private school commute (which can be 1-2 hours daily) includes access to a wider range of advanced courses, specialized college counseling, and often smaller class sizes. You must weigh the cost of tuition, time, and transportation against the perceived educational benefits. For some Rome families, the private school environment provides a consistent, values-based education that aligns with their priorities, justifying the significant daily investment in travel.
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