Private High School in Pittsburgh

WT's Upper School empowers high school students to embrace challenge with determination, confidence, and discipline.

WT's Upper School educates future citizens of the world who are able to make decisions and provide leadership from a strong intellectual and ethical basis. At our Pittsburgh private school, we instill in all students a lifelong love of learning, particularly in a world of rapid change.

A key part of our private high school is the College Counseling program, which kicks off in ninth grade with personalized support for each student. At our private high school, students get help picking classes, choosing extracurriculars, and finding summer opportunities to boost their college applications. The counseling team also sets up mock interviews, runs essay workshops, and writes tailored recommendation letters. On top of that, around 70-80 college reps visit every year, giving WT students a good look at different post-secondary paths. The Junior Seminar prepares students with the tools they need to handle the college admissions process smoothly.

In the classroom, Winchester Thurston encourages deep thinking, creativity, and independence. Staying true to its focus on student-centered learning, the school is shifting away from the typical Advanced Placement (AP) program. Instead, they're rolling out more creative courses that align with what you’d find in college-level classes at a private high school.

WT students talking on couch - Private High School in Pittsburgh - Winchester Thurston

Advisory Program
WT recognizes the importance of providing support to all students, especially those entering Upper School for the first time.
While students at our Pittsburgh private school are encouraged to seek guidance from any faculty member, the Advisory Program:

Provides students with another personal resource on which they can depend.
Provides the opportunity for students to interact one-on-one with a faculty member outside of class.
Allows for each student to work as a member of an advisory group, a smaller community within the greater WT community.

Beyond the Classroom
Along with our Upper School curriculum, students attending our private high school participate in myriad activities and take on leadership roles during the academic year. Each year, members of the Student Council, class officers, or clubs sponsor social events including Classcapades, Winter Semi-Formal, Prom, and various grade-level events.

Beginning with the Ninth Grade Retreat, WT’s events and long-standing traditions shape the students’ high school experience. Throughout their time at our private high school, students dive into spirited, creative activities that blur the lines between grades, fostering teamwork in unexpected ways. As they move through key milestones, like talent shows and school-wide celebrations, students not only showcase their unique skills but also grow as leaders and build resilience. Every event—every tradition—becomes part of a larger story, one that ties each student more closely to the WT community and leaves a lasting impact far beyond graduation.

Students at our private high school also get the chance to explore all sorts of interests through different clubs and activities. Whether they’re joining student unions, diving into academic clubs, or even launching their own new projects, there’s no shortage of opportunities. As a top private school in Pittsburgh, WT really pushes students to grow their leadership skills and chase their passions beyond the classroom, making their time at this top private high school as rewarding and full as possible.

Ready to shape your future? Request more information today or apply to Winchester Thurston and join a community that inspires students to lead with confidence, creativity, and character.