Kipp Schools are the worst. The principals tend to be ineffective leaders and they teachers,…read morethough well meaning, have their hands full with disrespectful and sometimes aggressive behavior from the kids.

I am a huge fan of KIPP! I appreciate the mission and values that the Knowledge is Power Program…read morestrives for every day. If you are interested in effective charter schools or the need for a different approach to education, I recommend watching the recently released documentary Waiting for Superman. KIPP is one of the schools mentioned in the documentary and is a champion in providing top notch education and child development. You won't find a more dedicated and skilled staff than the faculty of a KIPP school.

Advantages: * A foreign language and the great French…read moreteachers * Declamation * The small class sizes * The backup care as a flat fee (takes it off the mind about getting care for most needed days) * The school spirit activities Disadvantages: * The horrible, unorganized administration * The small class sizes Don't expect any Einsteins to come from here -- due to Einstein not speaking until he was 4, this school would have filtered him out as an inappropriate student. The fact that they post a poster that says "Everyone is welcome and accepted here" is misleading. The administration are only concerned with low maintenance children, so don't go to this school unless you are sure that your child is cookie-cutter. There is tons of busy work, which I'm not sure results in learning, as my child got 80-100% on everything, but the administration told us that our child was underperforming. The administration of the school didn't even congratulate us when our child got an external award, which left us with a cold feeling. I know that this review will not make a difference since the Philly school system is so messed up, that you're desperate to get your child ahead and will send your kid here no matter what. So, let me be honest here -- St. Peters is good until it's not (meaning that if you have a child that's out of the norm). So in most cases, you're probably OK and will have a pleasant experience. Given that most parents reading this are sending their kid to pre-k/kindergarten and have no idea what their child will be like in their academics, let me give some advice. If this school asks you to get a psycho-educational evaluation, DO NOT DO IT (or do it eventually on a long wait list at a more affordable college but refuse to give it to them). We did it, spent a fortune, and St. Peters hardly tried to accommodate the child given the evaluation. We thought that they would truly take it to heart and that the "personalized attention" that they try to imply through the small class sizes, would materialize. NOTHING. They just used it to get rid of the child. It was quite disappointing because the teachers seemed really lazy about trying new things... they would occasionally try something that worked with my child and then would stop and complain later about the child and I would have to ask "why aren't you doing X incentive that worked"? Beyond this, if they do go after your child, do not feel alone. I have heard countless stories about them getting rid of perfectly normal and especially gifted children who just cause them extra work. I feel like they create an atmosphere that parents are constantly in fear and panic because they put pressure on parents to do their heavy lifting. For me, "homey don't play that" with their large tuition. But they don't care and kick kids out all the time. Apparently, they don't need the money because of Philly's lacking schools that create desperate parents. Moral of the story: Elect officials who will build Philly's public schools, give to your public schools (even if you don't go there). Because without good competition, private schools don't have to care about every child and surely don't care that children are unique, fragile blooms. Extra negative notes: There is so much evidence of lack of organization -- some major announcements are not until the last minute, I got the initial advice to read the newsletter like a bible because there are things buried in there, and their graduation took 3 hours, with kids as young as 7 having to wait without dinner until 8:30 to get out. Extra positive note: At least they organized an afterschool program with a flat fee.

I have two sons at the school and a third will enter next year. I cannot say enough about the…read moreschool, the students, teachers, and parents. My boys thrive on the small classroom environment; although, my daughter did not, so the intimacy isn't for everyone. She opted for a larger school (Masterman) and was very well prepared for the academic rigor of that school, because of the foundation provided by St. Peter's School. The traditions (May Day, declamations, Branches of May, etc) provide families and the entire community with opportunities to share in--and support--the development of the students. I've found the teachers and administration to be responsive and a source of wisdom and support. My family has enjoyed 10 years at the school and we're looking forward to another nine years!

terrible awful place with terrible awful administration. at least the old principle cared about the…read morekids recently there has been 0 concern for student well being. it's sad how they shape the kids and how they come out of that school.

I heard really high ratings about this place! I was doing a painting gig with others for an open…read morehouse event and the kids were cool! I see a very active sports soccer team in the parking lot. Their campus was gorgeous! Makes me wish I knew about them instead of going to Central High school freshmen year when I was younger! I would have gotten in on full scholarship just based on my top notch city wide scores test where I was like 95-98% then! Oh so proud of the good old beainy days! Lol! Oh I think I heard it was a scholarship or tuition based school. What it takes to qualify I don't know. You gotta do some research! My advice to scholars: straight A's, state standard testing and extracurricular activities and hobbies and travel when young are the way to go! All the best luck to the kids who do go here! I heard like a third of class for accepted to Harvard or an Ivy League! Kuddos to the Brainiacs!!!

My granddaughter had the opportunity to attend their summer camp. Not only did they get to do…read moreoutside activities they did alot of fun crafts. She met so many new friends and the teachers were beyond Awesome. My children had the opportunity to also go to this wonderful school when it was known as Epiphany of Our Lord. I have complete trust and love for this school. Thank you Ms.Cody, Mrs.Polidore, Ms Zelman,Mrs. Roccuzzo, Mrs.Maratei and the other wonderful staff of the Camp that I missed. It was a learning experience and a fun experience for my granddaughter.

Our Lady of Hope Regional Catholic School offers an excellent alternative for quality education in…read moreSouth Philadelphia. At Our lady of Hope, the culture is one of safety, acceptance, encouragement, and care between the students, the teachers and the students, and the administration and the students. The teachers at Out Lady of Hope have outstanding teaching experience and consistently strive to use not only technology but also research-based methodology to provide children with quality education. The size of the classrooms allow for an inclusive learning environment and for the teachers to focus on the diverse needs of every student as an individual. Our Lady of Hope also provides for learning experiences that are unique not only in comparison to the public school system in South Philadelphia but also to other private and charter schools in this geographic area. Exceptional learning opportunities for students include a fully implemented (including trained staff) Lab Learner science curriculum, a robust middle school "academy" with an advanced curriculum, foreign language instruction, interactive technology-based instruction throughout the school, individual student access to state-of-the-art computer labs and leading edge personal computer equipment such as iPads, and a rigorous program in both art and music. Overall, the education that OurLlady of Hope can provide is consistently far superior to other options that might be considered for your son or daughter in the city of Philadelphia.

The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is a unique community of caring, cooperative, highly educated…read moreand nurturing teachers and faculty. Both of our kids have attended (and one has now graduated from) Philly Waldorf and have received not just a top level education but have also developed a strong sense of self and compassion for others. This school is truly a community: parents, students, teachers, and staff help to create an extended family of creative and thoughtful kids. Our son is now in 9th grade and was both academically and socially prepared to take on the challenge of high school. Waldorf works and this school is an amazing place.

We love our school! My son goes to school happy, comes home fulfilled and educated beyond our…read moreexpectations. I can't wait to see where he goes in this world- thank you philly Waldorf for loving and holding my child. - we've experienced 1st through 7th at this time, and will complete 8th grade next year.

With Pre-K through Grade 12, this is, without any doubt whatsoever, Center City's pre-eminent…read morecollege preparatory school. Its Quaker traditions of intellectual honesty, respect for the individual and service to humanity go back 325+ years. Small classes (approx. 550 students total, over 14 grades of instruction) taught by a brilliant faculty, with whom your kids will be a on first-name basis from day one. Very strong in STEM, English, foreign languages, social sciences/international relations, fine arts, music, and theater. Boasts a dynamic inter-scholastic sports program. Foreign students in attendance from every corner of the earth. Pricey--yes, but very generous aid is available for families that need it. Meaningful overseas student trips offered every year: most recently, for instance: spend a week volunteering in a Guatemalan orphanage, or check out the cultural treasures of Italy, or hike in Nepal, or study ecology in Costa Rica! Indeed, my daughter received such a fine and broad education at Friends Select that upon graduating in June 2015, she was admitted to Harvard, Yale, Penn and Georgetown. (Yes, I am a big fan of FSS!)

Still lovin' it! This is my little ones' 2nd year at Friends Select and I can't say enough great…read morethings about it. If you want to ask me any questions about the school, send me a message and ask away. It is a great place! PreK - 12, Quaker education in Center City.

My 1st thought while touring this school was wow, they really do not seem diverse at all. Hardly no…read morebrown children OR faculty. After being waitlisted then informed a month later that I did not receive a seat for Kindergarten I then thought, wow this is just how they intend to keep their school. I can't help but wonder if their quota for 1 or 2 brown children was already made. The private school we were accepted into after actual administering a test to assess readiness, and interviewing our family seems like a better fit for us. I find joy in knowing there were actual steps taken and guidelines followed to access our kids appropriateness for their school. TPS speak of wanting to diversify their school, and encouraging brown families to apply and see the application process through, but in reality they want their school just the way it is. They have no clear guidelines on assessing potential students, as no test are given like most private schools. They just handpick who they want for obvious reasons. I can't help but to wonder what type of behavior my child would have been exposed to had they been accepted.

If your child is academically average--neither slow nor gifted, and has no anxiety, ADHD, food, or…read moreother issues, this school is probably okay for you. Otherwise, look elsewhere. There is a strong emphasis on group learning, which is good for many kids, but it means any child who does not fit into the group is going to have a very hard time fitting into the school and will not be treated well. There is little flexibility or support for children who need it.