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Private Schools in
Pennsylvania

  • White
  • Black
  • Hisp.
  • Asian Am.
  • Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
  • Haw. / Pac. Isl.
  • Multi.
  • Not spec.
Private Schools
Public Schools

Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)

Religious Orientation

Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.

Religious Orientation Count
Amish 541
Roman Catholic 399
Nonsectarian 349
Mennonite 207
Christian 166

School Type

School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.

Private Schools in Pennsylvania

There are 1,880 private schools in Pennsylvania that have responded to at least one of the past three Private School Surveys.

School Grades Religion Enrollment Mostly … Racial Difference* Teachers Founded Type
Laurel Springs School KG–12th Nonsectarian 4,325 White -26% 234 Regular elementary or secondary
Milton Hershey School PK–12th Nonsectarian 2,002 White -35% 221 1909 Early childhood/day care center
The Episcopal Academy PK–12th Episcopal 1,216 White -11% 156 Regular elementary or secondary
Germantown Academy PK–12th Nonsectarian 1,160 White 3% 156 1759 Regular elementary or secondary
La Salle College High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 1,141 White 12% 97 1858 Regular elementary or secondary
Shady Side Academy PK–12th Nonsectarian 1,058 White -14% 166 Regular elementary or secondary
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy PK–12th Nonsectarian 1,050 White 54% 117 1879 Regular elementary or secondary
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy-Middle PK–12th Nonsectarian 1,050 White 54% 120 Regular elementary or secondary
Germantown Friends School PK–12th Friends 1,025 White 51% 145 Regular elementary or secondary
The Haverford School PK–12th Nonsectarian 960 White 22% 154 1884 Regular elementary or secondary
Shady Side Academy PK–12th Nonsectarian 929 White -18% 124 1883 Regular elementary or secondary
Gfs KG–12th Friends 916 White 53% 142 1845 Regular elementary or secondary
Bishop Shanahan High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 908 White 27% 49 1957 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 898 White 57% 68 Regular elementary or secondary
Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 843 Black 5% 51 1953 Regular elementary or secondary
Archbishop Wood High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 839 White 7% 50 1963 Regular elementary or secondary
Cardinal O’hara High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 829 White -15% 41 1963 Regular elementary or secondary
Roman Catholic High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 813 White 42% 40 1890 Regular elementary or secondary
Archbishop Ryan High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 804 White 54% 41 1966 Regular elementary or secondary
Calvary Christian Academy PK–12th Christian 803 White 54% 64 Regular elementary or secondary
The Shipley School PK–12th Nonsectarian 768 White 14% 104 1894 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Matthew PK–8th Roman Catholic 763 White 73% 39 1937 Regular elementary or secondary
Faith Christain Academy Lower KG–12th Christian 760 White -16% 50 Regular elementary or secondary
Central Catholic High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 744 White 45% 58 1927 Regular elementary or secondary
Friends Central School PK–12th Friends 738 White -7% 92 1845 Regular elementary or secondary

* About racial difference

School Districts in Pennsylvania (501)

District Grades Private Schools Private School Students Racial Difference *
Philadelphia City School District PK–12th 150 22,065 33%
Pequea Valley School District KG–12th 59 1,044 18%
Solanco School District KG–12th 46 187 12%
Mifflin County School District KG–12th 45 1,533 6%
Eastern Lancaster County School District KG–12th 42 1,309 14%
Pittsburgh School District PK–12th 38 5,570 41%
Conestoga Valley School District KG–12th 37 609 34%
Punxsutawney Area School District KG–12th 24 608 5%
Penns Valley Area School District KG–12th 21 500 0%
Lower Merion School District KG–12th 20 3,442 9%
Keystone Central School District KG–12th 20 618 5%
Armstrong School District KG–12th 20 650 2%
Juniata County School District KG–12th 19 613 9%
Eastern Lebanon County School District KG–12th 17 725 9%
Chambersburg Area School District KG–12th 16 1,632 30%
Ephrata Area School District KG–12th 16 370 17%
Lampeter-Strasburg School District KG–12th 16 112 4%
Bethlehem Area School District PK–12th 15 1,444 32%
Shippensburg Area School District KG–12th 15 301 19%
West Perry School District KG–12th 15 273 8%
Conneaut School District KG–12th 14 282 6%
Twin Valley School District KG–12th 14 207 -3%
Scranton School District PK–12th 13 1,677 51%
Oxford Area School District KG–12th 13 255 40%
Octorara Area School District KG–12th 13 194 25%

* About racial difference

About This Data

Where is this data from?

Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.

What schools are included?

Why are private schools listed under public school districts?

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