Catholic Schools of Excellence (Pittsburgh, Butler: credit, relocating, gated)

[beth ann]

Thinking of relocating to Pgh area and wondering what the BEST catholic schools are both academically and spiritually.

I'm not just intersted in local parish schools, but schools with proven academic track records, college prep schools, schools w/ national merit scholars, excellent sports programs and authentic catholic teaching. Same-sex schools are of great interest.

I'm not intersted in catholic schools which are basically public schools with uniforms and religion class. I am looking for quality.

Having three kids, where we chose to live in Pgh will be based heavily on the where the best catholic schools are located.

I would specifically love to hear from any parents who have children in cathollic schools and their particular experiences.

So far, I've heard of The Alpha School in North Hills, Sacred Heart in Shadyside and Aquinas School farther out than North Hills.

Any and all ideas/experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks so much.

[Sideblinded]

I live in Regent Square and most of the kids that go to Catholic school attend St. Bedes in Point Breeze. (Regent Square and Point Breeze are in Pittsburgh)

My son played baseball with a team that was 80% St. Bede kids. (My son & 2-3 others were the odd men out, they attend public school) The parents love the school and they seem to have a very tight knight group. My son is now friends with 3 of the boys from St. Bedes.

Honestly every kid that was on his team was a really nice kid, and the parents were very nice too.

Your standards seem high, why not send your kids to Shadyside Academy if you are looking for the "best" education? Or is it just the best catholic education?

That always confuses me.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by beth ann

but schools with proven academic track records, college prep schools, schools w/ national merit scholars, excellent sports programs and authentic catholic teaching. Same-sex schools are of great interest.

The same sex Catholic schools would be Central Catholic (for boys) and Oakland Catholic (for girls).

An excellent co-ed Catholic High School would be Vincentian Academy which is partnered with Duquesne University for the International Baccalaureate Program.

Originally Posted by beth ann

So far, I've heard of The Alpha School in North Hills, Sacred Heart in Shadyside and Aquinas School farther out than North Hills.

The Alpha School (k-8) and Sacred Heart (k-8) are not high schools. Aquinas Academy (k-12) is a very good school but I wouldn't rank it as a prep school.

Are you interested in k-8 or high school recommendations? If you're planning to do Catholic throughout their education, k-8 and high school would most likely be in two completely different locations of Pittsburgh. I highly recommend you chose your home according to the high school you plan for your children to attend, then find the closest Catholic k-8 that meets your criteria the best.

[guylocke]

I went to a much more down-to-earth Catholic High School but they were probably the best four years of my life. I was absolutely in love with (figuratively) some of my teachers, they were the most dedicated and wonderful people I've ever met. The average class has less than 40 students, my graduating class had 33 I believe. Trust me when I say NO ONE is a number and everyone gets "special" treatment and a darn near one-on-one experience. Academically, it is very respected (at least that is according to Duquesne who told me so when I applied). Some of my peers drove over an hour a day to get to and from school.

[guylocke]

Oh, it might also interest you to know that I graduated with a portfolio of 21 college credit from St. Vincent, La Roche, and Pitt. We're not talking AP stuff here, we're talking genuine college credit as though I took the classes at those respective colleges. That's over an entire semester and I could have taken even a few more college credit courses that I opted out of.

I took and was able to drop in college:

Theology (3 cr)
Statsitics (4 cr)
Calculus (4 cr)
Psychology (3 cr)
American History (3 cr)
Trigonometry/Pre-Calc (4 cr)

My high school, St. Joseph High School in Natrona Heights, has "contracts" with Pitt, La Roche, and St. Vincent. For example, when I was a senior I took Calculus. You could either take normal Calculus or Calculus for college credit from Pitt. Both were taught at the same time in the same class room and you even got the same tests, but you had to pay for Pitt credit and those exams, after being checked, actually went to Pitt who then reviewed them and sent them back with approval. There were also a few special assignments that were given each year to the college course students directed from the University. We also had to make a trip to La Roche for whatever reason once per year. Anyway, the credit was discounted HEAVILY. For example, I believe my 4 cr Calculus course from Pitt cost about $130 and in the end, they accredit the high schools students the exact same 4 cr as though I was on their campus with their students. It was really wonderful.

[beth ann]

Originally Posted by boylocke

Oh, it might also interest you to know that I graduated with a portfolio of 21 college credit from St. Vincent, La Roche, and Pitt. We're not talking AP stuff here, we're talking genuine college credit as though I took the classes at those respective colleges. That's over an entire semester and I could have taken even a few more college credit courses that I opted out of.

I took and was able to drop in college:

Theology (3 cr)
Statsitics (4 cr)
Calculus (4 cr)
Psychology (3 cr)
American History (3 cr)
Trigonometry/Pre-Calc (4 cr)

My high school, St. Joseph High School in Natrona Heights, has "contracts" with Pitt, La Roche, and St. Vincent. For example, when I was a senior I took Calculus. You could either take normal Calculus or Calculus for college credit from Pitt. Both were taught at the same time in the same class room and you even got the same tests, but you had to pay for Pitt credit and those exams, after being checked, actually went to Pitt who then reviewed them and sent them back with approval. There were also a few special assignments that were given each year to the college course students directed from the University. We also had to make a trip to La Roche for whatever reason once per year. Anyway, the credit was discounted HEAVILY. For example, I believe my 4 cr Calculus course from Pitt cost about $130 and in the end, they accredit the high schools students the exact same 4 cr as though I was on their campus with their students. It was really wonderful.

St. Joseph's sounds like a great school. I've actually been to Natrona Heights...I felt like I was in the twilight zone; sent back in time....not for us....but, what are some North Hills suburbs which may not be too far?

[beth ann]

Originally Posted by Hopes

The same sex Catholic schools would be Central Catholic (for boys) and Oakland Catholic (for girls).

An excellent co-ed Catholic High School would be Vincentian Academy which is partnered with Duquesne University for the International Baccalaureate Program.


The Alpha School (k-8) and Sacred Heart (k-8) are not high schools. Aquinas Academy (k-12) is a very good school but I wouldn't rank it as a prep school.

Are you interested in k-8 or high school recommendations? If you're planning to do Catholic throughout their education, k-8 and high school would most likely be in two completely different locations of Pittsburgh. I highly recommend you chose your home according to the high school you plan for your children to attend, then find the closest Catholic k-8 that meets your criteria the best.

Yes, I am interested in both elementary and HS. My kids now are rising 6th, rising 3rd and rising K. Do you know anything about The Alpha School? Do those kids usually attend Vincentian for HS?

[guylocke]

Yes, I am interested in both elementary and HS. My kids now are rising 6th, rising 3rd and rising K. Do you know anything about The Alpha School? Do those kids usually attend Vincentian for HS?

SJHS is a real gem. They are actually adding a million dollar gym and theater right now. I wonder what part of Natrona Heights you were in, and are you sure it wasn't Natrona (without the Heights?) I find some of it to be a bit of a charming town and some of those back neighborhoods are quite pretty with beautiful foliage.

You don't have to live in Natrona Heights to go to school there, I didn't, probably 95% of the student body didn't, it pulled students from all over, even many from Butler.

[guylocke]

Here is one other interesting fact about SJHS. At best, the average student there might have one study hall per week. Most public schools usually have at least several. To make up for this, SJHS gives their students EVERY Friday a half-day off. This also gives the teachers a lot more time to prepare lessons and get work done (they don't have the half-day :P)

Freshman and Sophomores got out at 12:20 every Friday and Juniors and Seniors got out at 11:20 every Friday. It was WONDERFUL. I bet every student in the country would trade in their wasted study halls for that.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by beth ann

Yes, I am interested in both elementary and HS. My kids now are rising 6th, rising 3rd and rising K. Do you know anything about The Alpha School? Do those kids usually attend Vincentian for HS?

It would make complete sense since they are literally within a couple miles of one another. That would be a good area to look for housing if you're interested in the suburbs. Neither school is gender segregated though. I thought you wanted non-coed. Furthermore, the area where The Alpha School and Vincentian is located (North Hills) isn't diverse and doesn't have Indian and Thai restaurants. Basically, you're first going to have to choose whether you want city living or suburban living. Once you've made that decision, we'll let you know the best areas that meet your needs the closest.