The Piarist School is private, tuition-free
BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
HAGER HILL — Parents who wish to send their children to a 6-12 grade private school have that opportunity tuition-free.
The Piarist School, a private Catholic college preparatory school in Hagerhill, is for students in grades 6-12 who reside in Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, Lawrence, Floyd and Pike counties.
“There’s only one requirement for those attending,” Piarist office manager and athletic director Shana Clark said. “And that is that they have a desire to be here – they want to be here – and they understand this is a college-preparatory school and all our students are required to work hard.”
Before being accepted, students undergo an interview process to ensure they understand the curriculum and requirements. The interview also gives administrators a feel for student goals and needs.
The school can accommodate over 100 students. Transportation is available for a large number of students, which includes pickup at their homes. When the home pickup is not feasible, the pickup would be at a central location in the county where the students reside.
The school provides lunch, but students can also bring lunch from home.
“Our students wear uniforms,” said Clark. “Parents are required to purchase the shirts they wear, but the cost is minimal. We are firm believers that uniforms blend together and connect our students in a very important way. You don’t have the stigma of who is wearing what brand, who is wealthy and who is not. Everyone looks the same. It takes a lot of pressure off the students and their families. It puts them on an even playing field.”
The Piarist School has a zero bullying policy and a 100 percent college acceptance rate for graduating seniors.
Students can participate in extracurricular activities, including volleyball, archery, track and field, a variety of student-led clubs, and many dual-credit classes with the KCTCS network.
The Piarist School opened in Floyd County in 1990 and moved from its Martin location to Hagerhill at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
The Piarist School is accredited by the Kentucky Department of Non-Public Schools and is a Kentucky High School Athletic Association member.
For more information, visit piaristschool.org or call 606-789-1967.