FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE Private Schools THE 2017 REGIONAL GUIDE THE 2017 REGIONAL GUIDE YOUR GUIDE TO FINDING THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD TABLE OF CONTENTS Trend Report: Private Schools 101 ...........................................................2 Private School Profiles ...............................................................................10 Private School Listings .............................................................................30 PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE | 1 Trend Report: Private Schools 101 Children just don’t learn like they used to—and that’s not a bad thing. Schools, like the generations of children that pass through them, are evolving year after year. Tech is changing the form, education is getting entrepreneurial, global classrooms are growing and private schools are often on the forefront of these educational advancements. Many independent schools offer more enhanced academic programs that feature smaller class sizes, upgraded facilities, readily available resources and more. As school curricula continue to evolve— could help cultivate them. Whether you’re some becoming more specialized and in search of intimate class settings, some reaching a wider student base—it’s excellent educators, personalized learning, important to know what to look for. Think a supportive and strong community or all about your child, their academic strengths of the above, this guide will help you better and weaknesses and how they interact with understand the advancement of private the world around them. Think about their education and how to find the best school passions and how a specialized education tailored to your child’s individual needs. 2 | THE 2017 REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE | 3 Technology and the Classroom through 12, has provided each student with their own computers since the mid-’90s. Technology has impacted the day-to-day life of both children and adults, and in “We use platforms like our Learning today’s classroom, teachers use that to Management System (LMS) so connections their advantage. We’ve seen the successful are made via the web,” says Director of Ac- implementation of a variety of career-for- ademics, Chris Seeley. “Whether students ward programs for students interested are here on campus or on field trips or at in science, technology, engineering and home on vacation, they can connect with math (STEM) and art (STEAM). At Bishop their teachers and we can personalize their Eustace Preparatory, a co-educational high learning… a teacher can tailor work to a school in Pennsauken, students recently particular group of students or an individ- started using a mobile app to track their ual based on the learning software that we service hours. Germantown Friends use in our classes” School, a co-educational K-12 school in Philadelphia, holds an annual Design Day where lower, middle and upper schoolers form teams to re-interpret a chosen idea Teaching or concept. Last year, the theme was “play” Entrepreneurship and students worked to build and trouble- Today, you can’t just be one thing—you shoot their own games. need to be able to adapt to trends in tech- Social media and blogs can promote a nology and business. Perhaps your child collaborative work environment too, will wear a variety of hats at a startup, or, something young people should prepare maybe they will decide to start a business for before entering today’s workforce. of their own. To prepare students for an At The Baldwin School, an independent ever-evolving work environment, many pre-K-12 school for girls located in Bryn private schools have added entrepreneur- Mawr, teachers use Twitter as a learning ship to the curriculum. This can work in tool, having students pose as historical a variety of different ways, from business figures or literary subjects communicating classes to in-school discussions with suc- with each other. In conjunction with other cessful business owners. Some independent studies—entrepreneurship, for example— schools even encourage students to pitch knowing how to build a blog or to promote and execute their own business ventures. your work on social media can help you The Agnes Irwin School, a pre-K to grade 12 reach a wider audience. Additionally, many all-girls school in Bryn Mawr, partners with schools utilize private digital learning sys- the Franklin Institute for Sharing Solu- tems that provide reach-out resources for tions: Advancing Girls in STEM, an annual students in and outside of the classroom. think tank conference. This year’s theme is Exton’s Church Farm School, a day and “Partnering for Impact,” and will explore private boarding school for boys in grades 9 the important factors of building sustain- Choosing the Right School Private schools appeal to parents because of their small class sizes, top notch teachers, supportive environments and strong communities. But since each school embodies a unique mission, one size does not fit all students. Parents interested in a private school education should start studying themselves—learning about a school’s philosophy, approach to teaching, extracurricular offerings and student body before they even start the application process. To prep you and your family for this educational path, we offer you an in-depth look at private education. 4 | THE 2017 REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE | 5 able business relationships. Both keynote students in a different culture through each student’s 4-year term. Programs speeches will be delivered by women in global education programs, which a good include summer-immersion trips, local leadership roles, at Bryn Mawr college and amount of local private schools provide. fundraising and food drives. Angelo Dow Chemical Company, respectively. At How to apply Milicia, Head of School at Bishop Eustace At the Baldwin School, service work is AIM Academy in Conshohocken, a grades Do your homework. Preparatory, calls service a “staple” of the incorporated into each trip planned for 1-12 college preparatory school for students Just like college, applying to private learning experience at the co-educational students, whether that’s in Rome, Paris schools can be a multi-step process. Make with learning differences, students can Catholic high school. Here, the service or even Baltimore. “It helps them be more a list of steps that are required as part of add entrepreneurship to their class load as the submission process. Applications, rec- program evolves and matures as students empathetic with others, to see that some early as 6th grade. ommendations and interviews are standard move up in grade. Freshmen are required of the people they are providing for are just practice, as well as entrance exams, parent to perform their service within the school “Our founders really loved some of the like them and that the work they do can essays and professional evaluations. community, while Seniors spend at least research showing that a huge percentage have an impact,” says Dr. Blankenship. one hour a week providing service outside of CEOs in this country have learning dif- Explore the school. The only way to know if a school is right of the school walls. This program includes ferences,” says Amanda Beeler, Director of for your child is to immerse them in the the high demand Urban Challenge program Communications & Marketing at AIM. She school’s culture. Spending time with other The Importance of Service Learning based in Camden, NJ, where students will adds that some students have been so suc- students can help your child decide if they are a fit for the school community. Try hav- lend a hand with neighborhood cleanups cessful in their business ventures, they’ve A very hands-on approach to education, ing your child “shadow” another student to and feeding the homeless at food shelters, had to pay taxes on the products or services service learning teaches students about the get a better idea of the daily routine, and among other activities. they’ve sold as high school students. impact they can have on the environment visit campus tours and open houses. and different communities. Community Talk to other parents. service provides young people with civic Parents of private school students can be responsibility and a way to authentically A Global Education pretty involved with the school community. Learning Differences contribute to their community. At St. Joe’s Talk with parents whose children attend It’s one thing to learn about different cul- Preparatory School, an all-boys Catholic the school to see if you and your partner There is a high concentration of private enjoy the environment as well. tures through books, history or language school for grades 9-12, 75 hours of service schools in the Philadelphia area that cater class. It’s another thing to fully immerse work is required to be completed during to students with learning differences. Many schools offer assistance with ADHD, 6 | THE 2017 REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE | 7 dyslexia, dyscalculia, auditory disorders programs. Additionally, both students and and a wide array of other difficulties by parents can benefit from small classes and providing research-based and multi-senso- personal attention, with a lot of face time ry teaching methods, college prep-focused with teachers and staff. Dual enrollment is a college preparatory program that continues to grow in the private sector. The Woodlynde School, a co-educational college prep school in Strafford that serves Considering Financial Aid children with learning differences grades Tuition can be tricky, but it doesn’t have K-12, offers dual enrollment partnerships to be a major roadblock for families with Cabrini University, Widener Universi- considering private school. Many schools ty and Landmark College, to prepare their offer financial assistance, bothneed and upper students (grades 9-12) for four-year merit-based (which will take into account a variety of talents in academia, the arts programs. At the AIM Institute, all Senior and athletics). Often, schools will offer students are required to participate in payment plans and discounts for siblings.