Pennsylvania's private schools range from large Catholic parish schools in Philadelphia to small country schools in Lancaster County, and from Quaker day schools in Chester County to church-run preschools in Altoona. The mix is wide, and so are the rules that apply to each type. This page explains how the system fits together. It shows where to start looking, what to ask, and which agency to contact if something goes wrong.

Our directory lists 1,618 private schools across 65 Pennsylvania counties. A large share are preschools and early learning centers, which answer to a different agency than K-12 schools do. Knowing which type you are looking at tells you whose rules apply.

How Pennsylvania Regulates Private Schools: PDE, Dioceses and Child Care Licensing

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in Harrisburg administers the state's Public School Code. Under that law, children generally must attend school from age six until eighteen. The school must teach the subjects required by State Board of Education standards, in English. A private school is one lawful way to meet that rule, alongside public school and a registered home education program.

Compared with public schools, Pennsylvania's K-12 private schools face lighter state oversight. They generally do not have to hire state-certified teachers, give state assessments, or follow the public curriculum. Accreditation is voluntary. That puts more of the quality check in the hands of parents.

In practice, four kinds of oversight stand behind a typical Pennsylvania private school:

Preschool programs such as Flying Hills Pre-School in Reading or Hansel and Gretel Early Learning Center in Harrisburg often operate under child care licensing. A K-12 school such as Bible Baptist Christian Academy in York generally does not. Ask each school which approvals it holds.

Southeastern Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and the Suburban Counties

The five southeastern counties hold roughly 40 percent of our Pennsylvania listings. Philadelphia County has 189, including Broad Street Academy on Belfield Avenue in Philadelphia. Montgomery County adds 156, and Bucks, Delaware and Chester counties each have close to 100 or more.

The suburbs show how varied the sector is. Goshen Friends School in West Chester reflects the Quaker school tradition that dates to William Penn's colony. Hill Top Preparatory School in Bryn Mawr serves students with learning differences. Holy Child Academy in Upper Darby is a Catholic school in Delaware County. Devereux Day School in Downingtown belongs to the Devereux network, which is known for special education and behavioral health services.

Competition for seats is real in this region. Many schools set application deadlines in winter for a fall start, and open houses cluster in the autumn. Catholic parish schools often open registration in January. Start about a year ahead, and book a visit while classes are in session so you see real classrooms rather than a staged tour.

Church-based programs add more options, such as the listing at Bensalem Baptist Church in Bensalem, Good Beginnings Preschool in Doylestown and Play And Learn-Lansdale. For these, ask whether the program is licensed for child care or runs as a part-day nursery school, since the rules can differ.

Pittsburgh, Erie and Western Pennsylvania Private Schools

In the west, Allegheny County leads with 148 listings, and Pittsburgh accounts for 79 of them. ABC's For Children Inc on Greentree Road is one example of the early childhood programs that fill much of the Pittsburgh list. The Diocese of Pittsburgh oversees Catholic schools in Allegheny and Butler counties, among others.

Erie has 25 listings, including faith-based options such as Bethel Christian School on West 38th Street. Farther from the cities, choices thin out. Butler County Childrens Center in Butler and Our Children's Center in State College show how smaller communities often rely on one early learning provider. Families in Blair County, where Harbor House Preschool and Kindergarten operates in Altoona, may need to drive farther to reach a K-12 private school. Ask early about bus service, because public school districts handle transportation for many nonpublic students.

Lancaster County, the Lehigh Valley and Central Pennsylvania

Lancaster County has 101 listings, and the pattern differs from the cities. Ephrata and Lititz have small schools such as Cherry Grove School and Wood Corner School, and Blue Rock Mennonite School sits in Lancaster. Plain-community and Mennonite schools are typically small and tied to a congregation. Many enroll through the church community rather than through open admissions, so call the school directly.

In the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh County has 39 listings, including Datzyk Montessori School in Allentown. Across the county line, Centennial School in Bethlehem appears under Northampton County. Montessori programs are a common independent option here. Pennsylvania does not require Montessori credentials, so ask about teacher training directly.

Elsewhere in central and northeastern Pennsylvania, you will find Jacksonville Parochial School in Myerstown, Howard Gardner School Of Discovery in Scranton, and many small church-linked schools in between.

Paying for Private School in Pennsylvania: EITC and OSTC

Pennsylvania has no general voucher program. Instead, two tax-credit programs fund scholarships: the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC). Businesses donate to approved scholarship organizations and receive state tax credits. The organizations then award scholarships to eligible students. Family income limits apply, and OSTC is tied to attending a low-achieving public school zone. Apply through the scholarship organization, not the state, and ask each school's admissions office which groups it works with.

Private schools in Pennsylvania are licensed and regulated by the state's department of education, which sets minimum standards for safety, curriculum, and accreditation while allowing institutions significant freedom in operations and admissions. Pennsylvania may also offer education savings account or voucher programs that provide public funding assistance to eligible families attending private schools.

Private Schools locations are available in 497 cities across Pennsylvania. They are spread across 65 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration of private schools include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, reflecting larger population centers where demand for diverse educational options tends to support a wider range of private school institutions.

Families in Pennsylvania exploring private school options should contact each school's admissions office to request a prospectus, schedule a tour, and learn about financial aid availability, as tuition and assistance programs vary significantly from one institution to the next.

Private Schools by Counties

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Families in Pennsylvania comparing private school options should check each school's accreditation status through the state department of education and request standardized test score data, graduation rates, and college placement outcomes. Many private schools in Pennsylvania hold open house events in the fall that are open to prospective families without an appointment.

Browse Private Schools by county across Pennsylvania to find the nearest location.

Using Pennsylvania Private Schools: Buses, Services and Safety Checks

Choosing a school is only half the task. In Pennsylvania, your public school district and your regional intermediate unit also affect daily life at a private school. The state has 29 intermediate units, and they provide shared services to nonpublic schools in their regions. These may include loaned textbooks and instructional materials and some support services. Students with disabilities can ask the school district where the private school is located about evaluation and services, so raise this at your first visit rather than after enrollment.

Before you sign an enrollment contract, ask about refund terms, the withdrawal deadline and the tuition payment schedule. Ask who conducts staff background checks and how the school handles emergency drills. Pennsylvania law requires child abuse and criminal history clearances for school employees who work with children, and a good school will explain its process without hesitation.

Geography also decides how much you can compare. A parent in Chester County, where Devereux Day School and Goshen Friends School are both located, can tour several schools in a day. A family near Jacksonville Parochial School in Myerstown may have only one nearby choice.

Not in the way it certifies public schools. The Pennsylvania Department of Education administers the Public School Code, which sets the compulsory attendance rule. Private K-12 schools generally do not need state-certified teachers or state testing. Quality checks come mostly from voluntary accreditation, such as Middle States, and from a school's diocese or governing board. Child care and preschool programs are a separate case, because they are typically licensed by the Department of Human Services. Before you enroll, ask the school for its accreditation status, its staff clearance policy and any licenses it holds, and request each answer in writing.

Programs that provide child care, such as Hansel and Gretel Early Learning Center in Harrisburg or Chesterbrook Academy Preschool in Exton, are typically regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services through its Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Ask the director to show the current certificate of compliance, then confirm it with the department, which publishes inspection and compliance information for child care facilities. Also ask about the program's Keystone STARS level, the state's quality rating from STAR 1 to STAR 4. Some part-day nursery programs run under different rules, so ask how the program is classified.

Often yes. State law requires a student's school district of residence to provide transportation to nonpublic schools located within district boundaries and up to ten miles beyond them, as long as the school is open on days the public schools run. Districts may set request deadlines, so contact the district transportation office well before the school year starts. The district does not have to bus on days when public schools are closed but the private school is open, so compare the two calendars before you commit.

Pennsylvania has no general voucher program, but two tax-credit programs fund scholarships. Under the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit, businesses donate to approved scholarship organizations and receive state tax credits. The Department of Community and Economic Development administers both programs. Families apply through the scholarship organizations, not the state. Eligibility depends on household income, and the Opportunity Scholarship is also tied to a low-achieving public school zone. Schools also offer their own aid, so ask the admissions office which scholarship groups it works with and when applications are due.

Yes. Pennsylvania's immunization requirements apply to students entering or attending school, including private and religious schools, and child care facilities follow related requirements. Families may claim medical, religious, or strong moral or ethical exemptions, which require a written statement to the school. Confirm the specific vaccines required for your child's grade with your pediatrician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health, because the list differs by age and can change over time. Bring the immunization record to enrollment, since schools usually need to confirm it before the first day of class.

Requirements vary, but most schools ask for a birth certificate, immunization records, proof of address and records from the previous school, including recent report cards. Many independent schools also request teacher recommendations, an application fee, and a student visit or assessment. Catholic parish schools may ask for a baptismal certificate to apply parishioner tuition rates, while preschools often want a physical exam form and emergency contacts. Phone the school first, for example Goshen Friends School at 610-696-8869 in West Chester, to learn its deadlines and which documents it needs.