Montessori In The Woods Photo - Montessori In The Woods!

Best Erie Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 private schools serving 4,495 students in Erie, PA (there are 35 public schools, serving 21,307 public students). 17% of all K-12 students in Erie, PA are educated in private schools (compared to the PA state average of 14%).
The top-ranked private schools in Erie, PA include Bethel Christian School Erie, PA, Mercyhurst Preparatory School, and Blessed Sacrament School.
The average acceptance rate is 99%, which is higher than the Pennsylvania private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
61% of private schools in Erie, PA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Assembly of God).

Top-Ranked Erie Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Bethel Christian School Erie, PA
Bethel Christian School Erie, PA Photo - BCS Basketball before a home game
(Baptist)
(8)
1781 W 38th St
Erie, PA 16508
(814) 868-2365
Gr: PK-12 | 244 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Blessed Sacrament School
(Catholic)
2510 Greengarden Rd
Erie, PA 16502
(814) 455-1387
Gr: PK-8 | 413 students
Cathedral Preparatory School
All-boys (Catholic)
225 W 9th St
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 453-7737
Gr: 9-12 | 406 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Elizabeth Black School
Special Education School
136 East Ave
Erie, PA 16507
(814) 453-7661
Gr: PK | 215 students
Erie Day School
Erie Day School Photo
1372 W 6th St
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 452-4273
Gr: PK-8 | 249 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 9 Tuition listed
Erie First Christian Academy
(Assembly of God)
8150 Oliver Rd
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 866-6979
Gr: PK-12 | 278 students
Mercyhurst Preparatory School
Mercyhurst Preparatory School Photo - MPS students can participate in studio arts, dance, music, photography, and theater. Mercyhurst Prep offers 49 courses in the performing and visual arts, and the arts faculty is comprised of active award-winning artists who are regularly engaged in exhibiting, performing, and teaching in the community.
(Catholic)
538 E Grandview Blvd
Erie, PA 16504
(814) 824-2210
Gr: 8-12 | 497 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 15 | Extracurrculars: 34 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Our Lady Of Peace Elementary School
(Catholic)
(2)
2401 W 38th St
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 397-2213
Gr: PK-8 | 495 students
St. Boniface PreSchool
(Catholic)
9363 Wattsburg Road
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 825-4238
Gr: NS | 77 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 7
St. George Grade School
(Catholic)
(1)
1612 Bryant St
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 864-4821
Gr: K-8 | 418 students
St. James Elementary School
(Catholic)
2602 Buffalo Rd
Erie, PA 16510
(814) 899-3429
Gr: PK-8 | 249 students
St. Luke School
(Catholic)
425 E 38th St
Erie, PA 16504
(814) 825-7105
Gr: PK-8 | 329 students Tuition listed
Community Country Day School
Special Education School
5800 Old Zuck Rd
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 449-3585
Gr: 1-12 | 54 students
Dr Gertrude A Barber Center, Inc
Special Education School
136 East Ave
Erie, PA 16507
(814) 878-4052
Gr: PK-12 | 146 students Avg. class size: 9 students
Early Connections City Center Childcare
Daycare / Preschool
704 State Street
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 456-4576
Gr: NS | 13 students
Erie KinderCare
Erie KinderCare Photo - Toddler Classroom
Daycare / Preschool
625 Holland St.
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 453-5260
Gr: NS-PK | 118 students
Lake Erie Seventh-day Adventist School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
(1)
190 Hunter Willis Road
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 824-6169
Gr: 1-8 | 10 students
Luther Memorial Academy
(Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (formerly AELC, ALC, or LCA))
(1)
220 West 11th Street
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 454-0106
Gr: K-8 | 114 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Montessori In The Woods
Montessori In The Woods Photo
Montessori School
1390 Townhall Rd W
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 866-3760
Gr: PK-K | 52 students Avg. class size: 16 students Tuition listed
St. Jude School
St. Jude School Photo - Students particpate in daily prayer and religion classes; school and class liturgies, spiritual retreats, sacrament preparation and character education. Older students perform community service and serve as “guardian angels” to second and third graders preparing for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
(Catholic)
606 Lowell Ave
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 838-7676
Gr: PK-8 Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 10 Tuition listed
South Hills Child Development Center Inc
Daycare / Preschool
3808 Caughey Rd
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 838-7114
Gr: PK-K | 111 students Tuition listed
Triumphant Life Christian Academy
(Christian)
5651 Perry Hwy
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 464-1554
Gr: 3-9 | 2 students
West Lake KinderCare
West Lake KinderCare Photo - We are located at 4575 West Lake Road in Millcreek Township
Daycare / Preschool
4575 West Lake Rd.
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 838-4685
Gr: NS-PK | 5 students Tuition listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie, Pennsylvania Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
8155 Oliver Rd
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 679-4400
Gr: NS | 60 students Tuition listed
Harbor Creek Christian School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School (Baptist)
4719 Buffalo Road
Erie, PA 16510
(814) 898-3187
Gr: K-12 | 54 students
1012 E 28th St
Erie, PA 16504
(814) 456-7212
Gr: PK-8 | 181 students
2910 Sterrettania Road
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 838-2155
Gr: NS-6 | 104 students
426 Eagle Point Blvd
Erie, PA 16511
(814) 455-1268
Gr: PK-8 | 125 students
2501 Plum Street
Erie, PA 16502
(814) 459-7247
Gr: K-8 | 144 students
606 Raspberry Street
Erie, PA 16502
(814) 454-2454
Gr: PK-8 | 160 students
504 E 27th St
Erie, PA 16504
(814) 452-6874
Gr: K-9 | 176 students
160 W 11th St
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 452-4276
Gr: PK-8 | 268 students
Sarah A Reed Children's Center (Closed 2025)
Alternative School (Christian)
310 E 10th St
Erie, PA 16503
(814) 455-6562
Gr: PK-3 | 54 students
2403 W 8th St
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 453-7737
Gr: 9-12 | 303 students
2551 W 8th St
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 838-5451
Gr: NS-8 | 463 students

Overview

This Town (Erie)
This State (PA)
# Schools
23 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
4,495 Students
273,898 Students
% Average Students of Color
19%
27%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
306 Teachers
23,927 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
53%
53%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
13 courses
12 courses
Average SAT score
1120
(Out of 1600)
1229
Average ACT score
20
(Out of 36)
28

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$11,833
$14,799
Average % on Financial Aid
36%
45%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,000
$6,284
Average Acceptance Rate
99%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$50 million
$56.22 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.54
0.60
# American Indian Students
n/a
350 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
202 Students
9,515 Students
% Asian Students
5%
4%
# Hispanic Students
108 Students
12,745 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
5%
# Black Students
274 Students
27,502 Students
% Black Students
6%
10%
# White Students
2,769 Students
160,033 Students
% White Students
63%
58%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
253 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,024 Students
64,185 Students
% of Others Students
23%
23%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
17 extracurriculars
10 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Erie, PA?
The top-ranked private schools in Erie, PA include Bethel Christian School Erie, PA, Mercyhurst Preparatory School, and Blessed Sacrament School.
How many private schools are located in Erie?
23 private schools are located in Erie.
How diverse are private schools in Erie?
Erie private schools are approximately 19% minority students, which is lower than the Pennsylvania private school average of 27%.
What percentage of students in Erie go to private school?
17% of all K-12 students in Erie are educated in private schools (compared to the PA state average of 14%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Erie?
61% of private schools in Erie are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Assembly of God).
Which private schools in Erie are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Financial Aid 101 for Private School Families 2026
Financial Aid 101 for Private School Families 2026
Guide to private school financial aid in 2026, with current costs, key planning timelines and practical steps parents need to maximize aid options.
Why Extracurricular Activities Matter in 2026
Why Extracurricular Activities Matter in 2026
Discover why extracurricular activities remain essential in 2026, with updated research, costs, and admissions insights for parents and students.
How to Appeal for Financial Aid After Admission
How to Appeal for Financial Aid After Admission
Learn how to appeal for financial aid after admission to a private school, with expert steps, timelines, and 2026 updates for families.