The Philadelphia area has an incredible variety of great schools--both public and private--so it…read moreoften comes down to "fit"--for your child/children and for your family. My husband and I toured and researched many schools in the area when our kids were first starting school and in the end, we decided Shipley was the perfect fit for us and for our children. I'll also add that as they have grown & evolved as learners (and they are very different kids), the fit still feels right for both. We were looking for a strong academic program, but our family believes that education is not just about test scores. Preparing our children for success in life is about values, self-confidence, friendships, and respect ....as well as excellent academics. We found that educational mission at Shipley. Also, as our kids have gotten older (now in middle & high school), I appreciate the "positive peer culture" that exists at Shipley. As they begin to look more to their classmates & teammates for cues about how to behave and what choices to make, I am grateful that their circles of friends take school seriously and care about the community they are part of. It is truly the teachers and coaches and other adults in the community that make Shipley so special. Yes, there are great facilities (as there are at most of the schools in this area) but it is the faculty that sets Shipley apart. They truly know my kids--their strengths, their weaknesses, ways to motivate them, where to support them, and when to push them outside of their comfort zone... They also embrace and celebrate the many different ways children learn. The teachers are just fabulous--they are proactive and engaged in student life and they respond to each child's needs--at whatever point they are in their academic and social development. The curriculum is responsive to the needs of the students while the academic vision is always pushing the envelope. Shipley does not have one model of a "successful graduate" that they are teaching towards - rather the teachers strive to find each student's unique gifts and talents and then help them become the best versions of themselves, in a holistic way. I really like that about Shipley, and I see my kids (who are so different from each other) developing along their own tracks and finding success and confidence in doing so.

I graduated from The Shipley School in 2013 and my four years there as a student were the most…read morememorable and growth stimulating years of my life. When people think of Shipley they have assumptions of the demographics of the community. I admit I did. I myself come from the inner-city and a middle class income, and was nervous entering. Nevertheless, I never felt different. Shipley is a welcoming community, one that accepts everyone, that grants chances to those chances aren't usually given, Shipley is a community here to help prepare its students for the future. There is support beyond measure from the teachers, administration, students, families, everyone, because we are one. Before Shipley I didn't know what it meant to be selfless, however once put into the community I learned the meaning and I begin to embody it in everyday life. Growing up in the city and going to school there it was like a being a crab in the barrel, no matter how close you were to the top, someone pulled you down. I was never taught to uplift others. Instead I focused on myself and my own success. Shipley showed me to be successful I need a team and to uplift others because their success is just as important as mine. As I finish college and begin to truly embark on this journey of life I am nothing but grateful for Shipley building the foundation of the young woman I am today. I have defied statistics and because of the risks they encouraged me to take. I have gained a confidence that can never be broken. I will never again think of myself as a crab in the barrel. I am an individual who matters. Most importantly I know I am never alone in this world and I will forever use the teams I build over time to create success of everyone involved.

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.

We LOVE St. Peter's. Our children started in kindergarten and are now in the Upper School. The…read morecurriculum is challenging but engaging, the faculty is top-notch and so positive, the administration is responsive and not only willing to have conversations about problems with the school, but proactive in finding solutions. The families are now really so many of our best friends and our kids are being prepared for an ever changing world. It's definitely a small school, but we feel that gives our kids such confidence as they get in the upper grades - they are the big kids, looked up to by the younger ones, sort of avoiding all the unnecessary pressures of a typical "middle school" at a time when they are so vulnerable emotionally. If we could go back in time we would send them here all over again!

Central is, and always will be, one of the best things that I've ever been part of in my entire…read morelife. For thee, oh dear old high. And for the rest of you... DEUCES! 262 for life, son!

First of all, lol @ this actually being here. 2nd of all.... this really is the best public High…read moreSchool in Philadelphia. I think that's all that needs to be said. No school can compare, there is such an eclectic set of everything in this school. I think I grew the most during my time there compared to most other points in my life as a collective. 266!

My son attends the Beiber Campus and I can't tell you enough how great this school is. If you want…read moreyour child to think outside the box and become a future leader this it's the school for you. The teachers all go out of their to help your child succeed. The principal Mr. Johnson is truly a great leader and you can tell that everyone at that school, staff and students respects him. I am so glad we chose to send our son here.

if i could give it 10 stars i would. my boy just graduated from SLA. the teaching style is like no…read moreother. kids are valued. opinions matter. learning and growing happens here. the kids hug their teachers and the principal is the most amazing man on earth. why isnt every school like this? we were so fortunate for this education. i have to say, im jealous my high school experience was nothing like this. the teachers act more like mentors. guiding the students on their path, where ever that may take them. you can see the mutual respect between the kids and staff. SLA is progressive. one of a kind. im excited about what the future holds for my boy and thank SLA for giving him an advantage most are not lucky enough to have. THANK YOU teachers and staff, and mostly Mr Lieman.

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.

My new employer, my 2nd home. Began new position on my bday. Very well known and prestigious…read moreschool in West Philadelphia that I am proud and humbled to have joined.

A great environment for bright, independent teens and preteens who think outside of the box and…read morewant to be challenged. A wonderful blend of theory and practice. My child is excited to attend school everyday!

From the owner: Our Commitment is to develop future entrepreneurs, critical thinkers and innovators that are ready…read morefor a life long journey of exponential growth. Our students embrace the learning process as a personal lifestyle. They are in charge of creating their own future. Quadrat allows students to explore, make mistakes and maximize their potential in a safe and supporting environment.

Excellent private school. Easily the best on the Main Line. The reviewer that says "it is no…read moreBaldwin" probably did not get in. The teachers are dedicated and know every student. The curriculum is challenging. Also, if you are looking at Yelp to decide where your kid should go?... shame on you.

FANTASTIC school and community with dedicated and remarkably engaging faculty. The kids at Friends…read moreCentral School (FCS) are kind and caring, humble and free of elitism! You (kids or parents) don't have to be beautiful, wealthy of wear expensive sneakers to feel valued here. And the parents are a thousand times friendlier than the ones at Gladwyne Elementary. If you read "Battle hymn of the tiger mom," Baldwin is more like the mom and FCS is more like the dad. They both end up as Ivy League professors but take different paths to get there. So, it depends what you are looking for. FCS is intentional in teaching excellent academics (just look at the list of colleges the kids attend), critical thinking, intellectual risk taking and compassion. The school uses various strategies to foster psychological and social well being and the result is that kids are not bogged down by loneliness, depression, anxiety, etc. Sports are in perspective alongside drama and music, and other co-educational activities. The curriculum integrates concepts with interesting experiences, such as going to the Rennaisance Faire as part of the social studies lesson on societal structures or examining cheek cells through microscopes for a biology lesson in cell structure. No wonder the school makes kids eager to learn and study! Our child has attended three schools and is by far the happiest at FCS. . Check it out for yourself: Friendscentral.org OPEN HOUSE Sat. Oct. 15, 2016