The Best Private Schools in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Sharpsville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Oak Hill Academy
Independent
Oak Hill Academy serves students from Sharpsville and the surrounding region with a focus on individualized education for students who benefit from smaller class sizes and specialized instruction. The school maintains an 8:1 student-teacher ratio and offers customized learning plans tailored to each student's needs. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, project-based instruction, and social-emotional development. Parents consistently rate the school highly for its supportive environment and effective teaching methods for diverse learners.
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Kennedy Catholic High School
Kennedy Catholic School System
Kennedy Catholic High School is a comprehensive Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Sharpsville and throughout Mercer County. The school offers rigorous academic programs with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and 100% college acceptance rate. Facilities include modern science labs, technology centers, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes faith-based education while providing strong STEM programs, competitive athletics, and comprehensive fine arts offerings. Parent reviews consistently praise the supportive community and academic preparation.
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The Montessori School of the Shenango Valley
American Montessori Society
The Montessori School of the Shenango Valley provides authentic Montessori education for children from toddler through elementary ages, serving families from Sharpsville and throughout the Shenango Valley. The school features specially designed Montessori classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and certified Montessori teachers. The program emphasizes self-directed learning, hands-on materials, and development of independence. Parent reviews highlight the school's nurturing environment, individualized attention, and strong academic foundation that prepares students for future educational success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families in and around Sharpsville, Pennsylvania?
Sharpsville itself is a small borough, so most private school options are located in the surrounding Mercer County area. The most prominent local institutions include Kennedy Catholic High School (grades 9-12) in Hermitage, which is a regional diocesan school; Oak Hill Academy, a private K-12 Christian school in nearby New Wilmington; and The Montessori School of the Shenango Valley, which offers a preschool and elementary program in Sharon. For Sharpsville residents, these schools represent the core of private education, with each offering distinct philosophical and religious approaches. Transportation considerations are important, as parents typically need to provide their own commute to these neighboring towns.
How does tuition at private schools in the Sharpsville, PA, area compare, and are there any Pennsylvania-specific financial aid programs?
Tuition in the Sharpsville region varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Kennedy Catholic High School's tuition is approximately $8,000-$9,000 for parishioners and higher for non-parishioners, while Oak Hill Academy's K-12 tuition ranges from around $5,500 to $7,000 annually. The Montessori school typically has separate rates for preschool and elementary programs. Pennsylvania offers two key financial aid programs for eligible families: the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These programs provide scholarships through approved organizations, and all the mentioned schools have processes to help families apply. Additionally, many schools offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for affiliated families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Sharpsville offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Shenango Valley area offer specialized programs that cater to diverse educational philosophies. Kennedy Catholic is known for its strong college-preparatory curriculum, robust theology program, and competitive athletics within the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). Oak Hill Academy provides a Bible-based curriculum with an emphasis on character development and smaller class sizes. The Montessori School of the Shenango Valley offers the distinctive hands-on, child-led Montessori method, which is unique to the area. A notable differentiator for the region's private schools is their ability to maintain specific religious or pedagogical identities—Catholic, Evangelical Christian, or Montessori—which is not an option in the public Sharpsville Area School District.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Sharpsville, PA, families?
Enrollment timelines for the primary private schools near Sharpsville generally begin in the winter for the following fall semester. Kennedy Catholic holds open houses and shadow days starting in October, with application deadlines typically in early spring. Oak Hill Academy and The Montessori School often have rolling admissions but encourage applications by March or April to secure a spot, especially for popular early childhood programs. The process usually involves an application form, submission of past academic records, a family interview, and sometimes student assessments. A key consideration for Sharpsville parents is that these schools draw from a wider regional area, so spaces, particularly in specific grades at the Montessori school or freshman class at Kennedy, can be limited. It's advisable to initiate contact with admissions offices a full year in advance.
For a family in Sharpsville, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation and community when choosing a local private school?
Practical logistics are a major factor for Sharpsville residents. The Sharpsville Area School District does not provide transportation to private schools, so parents must arrange for daily commutes to Hermitage, New Wilmington, or Sharon, which can be a 15-25 minute drive. Many families form carpools with others from the Sharpsville area. Community-wise, each school fosters a distinct network. Kennedy Catholic connects families to the broader Catholic community of Mercer County. Oak Hill Academy builds a tight-knit evangelical Christian community. The Montessori school often attracts families seeking a progressive educational approach. It's important to visit each school to gauge the community fit and consider the long-term commitment to the commute, especially for extracurricular activities and events that occur outside regular school hours.
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