PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE 20 20 PRIVATE SCHOOLS REGIONAL GUIDE PRIVATE EDUCATION 101 THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE 2020 SCHOOL YEAR challenged PHILADELPHIA-AREA SCHOOLS educators like never before. In this year’s Private School Guide, you’ll hear how local schools excelled in educating and caring for students virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic RISE TO THE CHALLENGE and get pro tips for choosing the right school without in- With small class sizes, the latest technology and person tours. You’ll also discover some of the region's most tight-knit communities, the appeal of a private innovative and exciting schools for your child—whether they need extra academic challenges, an inclusive community or school education has never been more clear. support to thrive with their learning differences. PHILLYMAG.COM/PRIVATESCHOOLGUIDE 19 Sponsor Content / PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE ACADEMICS Other schools adapted by flipping how THE RESULTS students learn—having them review materials first, followed by in-class 20 20 ARE IN instruction with the teacher. “Some- times, it can be easy to default to having Faced with an unprecedented test, information spoon-fed to you, but in a PRIVATE SCHOOLS local private schools have received virtual classroom, you need to own it REGIONAL GUIDE high marks on remote learning. more,” says Daniel Ranalli, an assistant principal at Saint Joseph’s Preparatory This past spring, students, teachers, School in Philadelphia. “That is a great parents and administrators from the skill to have when you move on to college ADMISSIONS Greater Philadelphia region all partook and beyond.” in one giant learning experiment—and Across the board, regional private not the kind that takes place in a science schools saw remote learning as an op- Making lab. Shifting the entire private school ex- portunity to give students new, outside- perience to a virtual one took resilience, the-box experiences. Schools offered the Grade ingenuity and a whole lot of patience, students everything—virtually—from This fall, the admission but after that trial by fire, campuses now professional cooking lessons to fun process will go online for stand more knowledgeable than ever fitness classes to field trips around the many private schools. about maximizing the advantages of world. “In pre-COVID times, it would Tour the campus, ask have been impossible to pop over to online classrooms. questions and then ace One of the first ways schools pivoted Rome for a class period to talk to clas- the applications—all from in remote learning was with the class sical experts,” says Margaret Smith, a the comfort of your living schedule. While longer periods are ideal curriculum director at Friends Select for in-person, experiential learning, it School in Philadelphia. room. doesn’t always work for virtual educa- Although not without its challenges, tion. “We learned that 80 minutes is this particular learning experiment has VIRTUAL TOURS just too long to expect a student to stay resulted in some undeniable successes • Log on for online open on a computer,” says Holly Victor, an for private schools—emphasizing the houses to “tour” campus assistant director at Solebury School in advantages that come from a small class and get a feel for the New Hope, PA. The school responded by sizes and advanced technologies. “It community without leaving shortening classes to 50 minutes, with gave us the impetus to incorporate other home. the other 30 minutes reserved for flex approaches to teaching that we might time. “Flex time allows students to get not have tried,” Ranalli explains. “There ZOOM CLASSES their homework done, make an appoint- are aspects of virtual learning that can • Sample remote course- ment with a teacher or just take a break be utilized when we return to whatever work by attending a class from screen time.” becomes normal.” on the computer for a preview of what the learning experience will feel like. ONLINE PANELS • Hear from current students, faculty and parents during these remote sessions. Then ask away with any questions about the application process. 20 PHILLYMAG.COM/PRIVATESCHOOLGUIDE Sponsor Content / PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE EXTRACURRICULARS After-school READY TO BEGIN? Special Explore the many options Even after the final bell rings, the school the Philadelphia region has experience shouldn’t end. “Students to offer your family. really look forward to activities,” Ranalli • says. “It’s part of their identity and impor- tant as a release to equalize themselves.” Shifting to online extracurriculars inspired both faculty and students to dream up new virtual gatherings that brought every- one together. “Activities planned and led by the students have been far more suc- cessful,” Victor adds. “Not only do they tend to be more relatable for their peers, but it also inspires other kids to develop activities, which then creates more activi- ties, more buy-in and more community.” These virtual extracurriculars prove you don’t need a building to build belonging. SPIRIT: A strong sense of community is integral to private schools—especially when students were learning virtually. Schools and students took to social media for silly com- petitions and fun games to keep school spirit alive. SPORTS: Athletics weren’t entirely benched when school went online. Teach- ers and coaches encourage team build- ing through virtual workouts and competi- tions—sometimes against other schools. SMARTS: Academic extracurriculars were easy to continue digitally, from morning broadcasts hosted on Instagram to chess matches on the internet. ARTS: Virtual theater productions and band performances, digital art displays and Zoom cooking clubs are just a few of the ways students were able to stay engaged in their arts and culture after- school programs. PHILLYMAG.COM/PRIVATESCHOOLGUIDE 21 Sponsor Content / PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE THE CREFELD SCHOOL 8836 Crefeld Street, Philadelphia A gender inclusive school for students in grades 7 through 12, The Crefeld School's • mission is to graduate self-aware, empathetic, lifelong learners who possess an ap- OPEN HOUSES preciation for diverse perspectives, their role in society, and their ability to act as agents Sept. 24th, of change. Located in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Crefeld provides an intentionally Oct. 22nd, different college preparatory program to help students become their best selves. Dec. 12th, Crefeld is a different kind of school where nobody is the same and everybody can Feb. 19th & succeed. Everyone has their own unique strengths that add value to the community. April 17th. Small class sizes, close relationships with teachers and peers from all backgrounds, Visit crefeld.org/ and responsive academic and emotional support creates a challenging, creative and openhouse flexible learning environment tailored to each student’s strengths. for updates. Students from varied backgrounds and walks of life comes to Crefeld looking for: a progressive, student-centered school; a safe school that values each student; extra learning or emotional support in a college-prep environment; and the opportunity to take ownership of their learning. • 215-242-5545, CREFELD.ORG 22 PHILLYMAG.COM/PRIVATESCHOOLGUIDE Sponsor Content / PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE FRIENDS SELECT SCHOOL 1651 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Friends Select School is the only pre-K to grade 12 Quaker school in Center City • Philadelphia. Located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Friends Select sits at the OPEN HOUSES intersection of commerce and culture. The school utilizes the city as a dynamic liv- Pre-K & K: ing classroom, enhancing education through unparalleled access to local resources, Sept. 22nd (Virtual) including universities, science institutes, arts and cultural organizations, social service Pre-K–Grade 12: agencies, businesses and government offices. Oct. 10th (Virtual) A Friends Select education is notable for its continuity, which links curriculum from & April 13 (TBD) year to year, and for its strong focus on research, writing, and oral presentation. Such Pre-K–Grade 4: learning opportunities, combined with a foundation of Quaker values, are practiced Nov. 10th (Virtual) in an atmosphere of integrity and warmth. The result is a world-class education in a Grades 5–12: Nov. 11th (Virtual) world-class city that is deeply rooted in student advocacy and active citizenship. Friends Select’s campus includes a rooftop field; 25-yard swimming pool; full gymna- sium and weight room; and playground exclusively for students in lower school and the after school program. Students also have easy access to nearby athletic facilities including Boathouse Row and reserved fields in Fairmount Park. • 215-561-5900, FRIENDS-SELECT.ORG PHILLYMAG.COM/PRIVATESCHOOLGUIDE 23 Sponsor Content / PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE GERMANTOWN ACADEMY 340 Morris Road, Fort Washington, PA Germantown Academy fosters a genuine love of learning and creates an exceptional • academic, artistic, athletic and social experience for students. From their discussion- OPEN HOUSES based Harkness Tables in the upper school to their dynamic lower school Tinker Visit the Lab and within the incredible all-school Beard Center for Innovation, Germantown school's web- Academy expertly pairs the best from their 260 years of history and tradition with the site for the lat- best in innovation and 21st-century learning skills. Their Kids Teaching Kids science est information program, college-based Writing Center, award-winning Belfry Club (the nation’s oldest on admissions continuously run high-school drama club), school-wide community service program, events. and robust 6-12 athletics program that competes in the Inter-Academic Athletics League are just a few examples of how. At Germantown Academy, students are valued for their own unique gifts, parents are committed partners, and dedicated, talented teachers care deeply about helping each student succeed. Their mission statement—to inspire students to be independent in thought, confident in expression, compassionate in spirit, collaborative in action and honorable in deed—is alive in their classrooms, science labs, stages and fields every day, and is their promise to provide students with a truly extraordinary education.