Research Winchester Thurston School private Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“My son has been attending Winchester Thurston for 4 years. He is in 3rd grade. I really appreciate the whole child approach they use in their cirriculum. They have given each child the desire to learn and succeed at levels that exceed local public schools. The schools motto is 'Think also of the rights and comforts of other.' This is a great moral and ethical lesson that is reinforced thru their community projects and regular school days.”

“School is very good but VERY EXPENSIVE and tuition keeps escalating at a ridiculous rate (nearly twice what I was paying when my child started). Class size is reasonable for the level of tuition (15-18). Academics could be a little more rigorous -- they should have a fast track for science and math for example, though my son was allowed to double-up in math.”

“Excellent school. The only weakness is the relative lack of sports teams but the leadership seems to be aware and is trying to improve this area.”

“Two of my children have attended the North Campus (K-5) and one has attended the Middle School at the City Campus. Both campuses are served by a superb faculty, staff and administration. They know and care about each and every child. The North Campus Director greets students at the door each morning! Each student is seen as an individual and faculty go out of their way to make the curriculum challenging while also meeting remedial needs. With an idyllic natural setting, including a pond incorporated into the science curriculum, and a newly expanded arts and activities building, you will fall in love with this school at first sight. They have a superb art curriculum and amazing music and dance program. Classes often study a unit linked across language arts, music, dance and art curriculums. (For example, ancient Greece in fourth grade.) This school should be a model for the Responsive Classroom.”

“WT offers a superb, well-rounded academic and extra-curricular program for students in KR through grade 12.”

“WT is an exceptional school. The reputation is not as great as some of the other more prestigious independent schools in Pittsburgh, but unquestionably it is the best, by far. From the headmaster on down, WT offers the best holistic development for your child. From the moment you walk in the front door, you can sense the special environment. Parents truly participate, and teachers are engaged. One small, but telling example -- my daughter started chess lessons at age 5!. A well-deserved A+.”

“The teacher to student ratio is fantastic. In Kindergarten there are two teachers for 13 students--13 other kindergartners have a second room. The two classes join for recess and other activities. The two rooms share a kitchen between the classrooms where the students sometimes watch and help carry out a recipe. Kindergartners have specialist teachers in Spanish, Computers, P.E., Art, Library, Music, and Dance (movement). In addition, Senior Education students from Duquesne University, work one-on-one with the children concerning letter sounds sometime in October-November. First grade adds a science course where students actually go to a lab. The classroom expands to 15 students (actually 30 children into two seperate classrooms). There is one main teacher per classroom with an assistant shared between the two first grades. There are reading specialists in addition, throughout the lower school. The teachers and administration are top notch! The one downside is the expense.”

“The school has changed somewhat since I attended in that it is now coeducational and I believe the class sizes are a bit larger. Some of the faculty of my time is still employed there and I still receive and read the newsletter. It seems they have expanded many programs. In particular the drama department has grown, the students seems to be involved with many more school organized philanthropic activities and more extra-curricular activities are offered (fencing and chess, for example). In short, currently the school is offering a well-rounded education. Winchester's focus in my day(late 80's)was academics. 100% of graduates attended college. In my graduating class, probably 30%+ attended ivy leage schools. According to the published college choices of graduates today (and perhaps the last decade),these statistics have declined. Winchester remains I think a very good private school with many new benefits.”

“Winchester Thurston is a great school! It is so open and welcoming and has definately begun to prepare me for college. Winchester is not only teaching me how to study, and learn, but it's taught me how to become myself. Winchester is a great school and worth every penny!”

“The academics are superior and compare favorably to any of the other private schools in the area. There are countless opportunities for students to participate in music, visual and performing arts, theater, etc as well as a multitude of varsity and intramural sports. Parents are highly involved in volunteering at this institution.”

“Our son attended a good, large public city high school for 9th and 10th grades. But, he was losing academic focus and not achieving nearly to his potential. He attended Winchester-Thurston for 11th & 12th grades. His attitude and effort towards his studies improved dramatically. He also gained a broader, more positive outlook on life. His W-T work habits served him well in rigorous college courses as well.”

“WT is every parent's dream as far as excellence in the academic education WT strives to give each and every child. Our son rates WT as follows as coming from the Pittsburgh Public Schools. 'My elementary school was like have a hamburger, but now that I am at WT is like having filet mignon every night for dinner!' We as his parents see the difference not only in academics, but how the school treats every child as a unique individual.”

“Our son left the Pittsburgh Public Schools to attend Middle School at WT. The quality of the education, the quality of the teachers, and the sense of self WT gives our son each and every day is worth each and every sacrifice we make for him to attend a private school. Our son would have been lost in the system of the Pittsburgh Public School, but here at WT he is an individual who is counted and who matters and who is challenged by his teachers as well as the community in whole to be the best that he can be. WT rocks!”

“Our daughter transferred from a middle school that did not emphasize strong academic skills to Winchester Thurston for high school. She emerged from WT's high school experience with exceellent academic skills, high motivation for learning and doing well in school, and acceptance into her top-choice college. Her 3.6 GPA at this top academic college at the end of her first year was entirely because of WT's preparation. WT gave her the right mix of academic challenge and support while encouraging her continued interests in sports and the world. The faculty are great and provide a needed buffer for the routine hassles of high school life.”

“My son is going to 5th...my daughter will be starting K. I love this school. Small class size, willingness of teachers to individualize cirriculum. I highly reccommend WTN.”

“I have been disappointed with WT school. The tuition is high, and the academic program is not strong. The math curriculum is very weak in the elementary school. Science and computer class is very strong. Minimal help available for the child who is struggling.”

“Winchester Thurston is a great school! They are a very academic based school however, the extracurricular activities are great and they really get the students involved. Your student is very well rounded once they leave from WT.”