Local Info: Education

(jump to: Clarion University | County Schools/School Districts)

Background

In 1886, Clarion became the location for one of the state teacher training schools, which was formally Carrier Seminary and is now Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Other well known schools in Clarion County were The Reid Institute, Clarion Collegiate Institute and The Callensburg Institute.

Now featuring an enrollment of approximately six thousand students. Clarion University has gone through multiple incarnations since its start as Carrier Seminary. In its first year as a state school in 1886, the seminary was named, Clarion Normal School, and its mission was to train teachers. For obvious marketing purposes, The Normal School then changed its name to the Clarion State Teachers College, and the education department is still one of the known specialties to its academic fame. After the name change in 1963 to Clarion State College, it broadened its base of subjects greatly. Then in 1983 the name changed for the last time to Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

This year marked the establishment of a separate state system of higher education that linked all of the state together under one system. Clarion University of Pennsylvania is nationally recognized for its business program, communication and teaching departments.

Clarion County is also the home of seven public school districts with enrollments from K through 12, ranging from 800-1600 students per school districts. The county also hosts 4 private school with students K-8, and the Riverview Intermediate School with students K-6.

Clarion University

Clarion University is an important part of Clarion County. The University is in a rural setting surrounded by peaceful countryside. The 18:1 student/professor ration number and the average class size of 25 draws students in to choose from the Universities Academic choices.

The 90 plus choices include bachelor, associate, master degree and certificate programs. The programs concentrate on education, business, communications, library science, nursing and liberal arts. You will find more than 125 clubs, and organizations including: radio stations and a television station, student government, speech, dramatic and religious organizations, music performance groups, Greek life and many more.

Athletics are not a problem at Clarion. Women's NCAA Division II sports include: basketball, cross country, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track, volleyball and soccer. Men's NCAA Division II sports include: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track, volleyball, and Division I wrestling. There are over 40 intramural sports played in the new six million dollar student recreation center.

Feel free to contact the University at 1-800-672-7171 or over the web at www.clarion.edu.

Clarion County School Districts