Education GUIDE DIRECTORY
Colleges & Universities
Carlow University This Oakland university known for its MFA creative writing program announced that its undergraduate program will be co-ed beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. Chatham University This renowned university prepares students from around the world to help develop solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.
Cyber Schools
Commonwealth Connections Cyber School The Software Information Industry Association CODiE Awards dubbed CCCS the Best Education Cloudbased Solution and Best K-12 Course or Learning Management Solution. www.connectionsacademy.com. PA Cyber Charter School PA Cyber offers a graduation assistance program, gifted program, advanced placement and more. www.pacyber.org.
Education Assistance
Education Outfitters The nation’s premiere source of school uniforms and dress code apparel. They partner with schools and families to advance their missions.
Things to consider when you are choosing a college
When choosing a college, students often look for the best academic institutions. While it’s hard to argue with that approach, high school students facing the decision of where to spend the next four years of their lives should know that the right university is not necessarily the one with the best academic reputation. A host of factors come into play when finding the right match between student and university. Academics should always carry the most weight, but students should consider a host of other factors before ultimately deciding where to continue their academic careers.
Cost
In a perfect world students would not have to worry about financing their college educations. But that’s not a world in which today’s students live, so the cost of a college education is something nearly every college-bound student must consider before making his or her decision. According to the College Board, the average overall cost to attend in-state public college for the 2012-13 academic year for students who did not receive financial aid was $22,261, a nearly 4 percent increase from the previous school year. That sticker price includes the cost of living in a dorm, food, books, and the additional expenses college students typically have. And
the College Board notes that, despite the cost increase, financial aid budgets stayed the same as the year before, meaning even those students who received financial aid paid more money. While cost should not dictate where high school students ultimately go to college, students should know that eventually student loans will have to be repaid with interest, so those who do not want to bury themselves in student loan debt after graduation would be wise to choose a university that’s more affordable or one that’s offering a more attractive scholarship and grant package. Unlike student loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be repaid.
Distance from home While many high school students may think a school far away from their folks is ideal, the reality of being far away from home is a struggle for many college students who attend college outside of their home states. Homesickness is a very real thing for college students who are away from home and on their own for the first time. In addition to homesickness, college-bound students should consider the cost of travel before enrolling in a college or university that’s far from home. Mom and Dad might not be
able to afford to fly their college students home several times per year for the holidays and other breaks in the school year, and the burden of financing that travel can fall on students. If you are not planning to work during the school year, then financing trips home may prove very difficult.
Environment Both the academic and social environments at a college or university merit consideration when students are deciding where to continue their educations. Some students thrive in a competitive academic environment, while others tend to fare better in a more casual setting. Students should assess which environment is best for them and choose a university that best suits them as a student. Acollege or university’s social environment is another factor for students to consider. Larger schools tend to rely heavily on Greek life, while smaller schools may be more intimate and less exclusive. Students who hope to join a sorority or fraternity might benefit from a school with a thriving Greek life, while those who want a more intimate social environment might prefer a smaller school where all of the students seem to know one another.
Finding the best preschool
Parents know that choosing a preschool for their children is a decision not to be taken lightly. Preschools are often a child’s first extensive experience away from home, and the right school can help kids make that transition more smoothly. When looking for a preschool for their kids, parents may want to employ the following tips. ■ Make preschool a priority. Procrastinating with regard to finding a preschool carries considerable risk. Many of the best preschools have only a limited number of spots available, and there may even be a waiting list for those spots. So it behooves parents to begin their search for a preschool as early as possible. Doing so affords parents the time to visit various facilities, speak with staff members and maybe even observe a typical day at the school. Leaving things until the last minute takes away that flexibility, and parents may be forced to choose a facility with which they are largely unfamiliar. ■ Ask around. Fellow parents make for great resources as parents look for a preschool for their children. Ask parents of current preschool children or even older kids who attended preschool to share their impressions of a given
Dynamic Dance Academy The studio is committed to promoting strong character and an eagerness to learn while encouraging a passion for dance and a solid dance foundation at the highest level of technique. Huntington Learning Center The professional tutors at this McMurray center can help students with all levels of learning from reading and mathematics to study skills and SAT/ACT test prep and more.
Pre-Schools
Children’s School of Washington Providing education to pre-school children ages 3-5 with activities that are designed to encourage individual motivation and curiosity with a warm, safe, friendly and fun environment. www.childrensschoolwash.org.
Religious Schools
Bishop Canevin High School This Catholic college prep school was founded in 1950 and allows students to earn up to 48 college credits through the Jesuit Virtual Learning Academy. www.bishopcanevin.org. Mt. Lebanon Montessori School Offering programs for toddlers through elementary students, the Montessori School teaches self-discipline, concentration, independence and respect for self, others and all of creation. St. Patrick School This Catholic school has served the spiritual, academic, and social needs of the children since 1954 and continue to serve the children in a Christ-centered environment. Seton-La Salle Catholic High School More than 92 percent of Seton-La Salle’s graduates continue their education in outstanding institutions of higher learning.
Trade Schools
Dean Institute of Technology Offering welding and electrical training for the Marcellus Shale industry, as well as associate degrees in HVAC-R and electrical technician, and diplomas in welding, HVAC and building maintenance. Douglas Education Center Located in Monessen, this school specializes in special makeup effects, cosmetology, medical and energy trade programs as well as other creative programs. Penn Commercial This business and technical school prepares students of all ages for careers in the business, medical, trade, technical, and spa and salon industries. Pittsburgh Technical Institute The academic programs offered at PTI allow students to pursue a career in two years or less.
facility and share their insights as to a facility’s operations and its pros and cons. ■ Take kids along on visits. Though parents typically have a checklist of things they want to find in a preschool facility, it pays to remember that the kids will ultimately be the ones spending time at the school. So take youngsters along when visiting facilities,
paying particular attention to how kids react to each facility and how well staff members engage your youngster in the day’s activities. Many kids take time to adjust to preschool, but you can still learn a lot about a facility by observing how your child interacts with staff and how well the facility meshes with your child’s personality. ■ Don’t mistake cost with qual-
ity. The cost of preschool can range from affordable to exorbitant. But the costliest school is not necessarily the best facility, nor the best fit for your child. While an expensive preschool may be well worth the investment, parents should still consider all of their options before making any commitments.
WHS School of Nursing Beginning with the April 2015, Washington Health System’s School of Nursing program will become an 18-month program, pending State Board of Nursing approval. Applications are currently being accepted for the class of 2016. Western Area Career & Technology Center This reputable vo-tech school offers programs for high school students
as well as adults.