Education Spotlight
It goes without saying that parents want the best for their children—and that typically starts in the classroom. Fortunately, Pennsylvania is home to some of the best independent schools and academic programs in the country, offering challenging and enriching courses, extracurricular activities, global experiences, and much, much more. But navigating those options can be overwhelming for some. Whether you’re looking for their next elementary, middle or high school programs, we’re here to help. Read on to discover some of the most exciting schools and programs the region has to offer.
How to supplement your child’s learning
Across the Pennsylvania region, parents look to educational institutions and other organizations in the community to help foster their children’s growth—both inside and outside the classroom. From pre-college and academic enrichment programs to athletics and the arts, here are some ways to enhance your student’s education to ensure they continue to learn and grow every day.
THE ARTS
The arts can be a great avenue for children to hone new skillsets, gain confidence and express them- selves. From participating in art classes to performing in musicals, the arts can help bolster a child’s emo- tional maturity, giving them opportunities to observe the world in new ways, reflect and process dialogue.
ATHLETICS
Engaging in regular physical activity outside the classroom has been shown to promote mental clarity and faster cognitive processing, helping students to perform better academically. Popular team sports like football, basketball and volleyball allow students to socialize, connect and develop a sense of responsibility.
PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS
The transition into college can make anyone nervous. Pre-college programs are instrumental in easing anxieties, giving students a taste of college life. These programs can show high-school students what it looks like to live independently, introduce them to college-level courses and assist them in deciding what they’re looking for as they begin applying to schools.
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
To build on the academic skills that your child learns in school, you can enroll them in extracurricular activities that are catered specifically to their interests. For the literary enthusiast, youth book clubs can be a great way to enrich a child’s passion and make new friends. For those interested in STEM, there are coding and robotics organizations, after-school math programs, science camps and more.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteering can be a great way for your child to develop a better understanding of the world and give back to their community. From assisting at a local food bank to volunteering at an animal shelter, there are many opportunities across the region that can suit your child’s needs.
Resource Guide
Benchmark School
When your child learns differently, it can be a challenge to find an educational home that’s right. Benchmark School welcomes challenges. They teach students how to recognize their challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth.
Benchmark’s instructional methods have unlocked the gift of reading and writing with confidence and fluency for thousands of graduates. While their holistic Benchmark Approach provides students with the skills to be successful learners in all subjects, their literacy roots are deep and vibrant.
When graduates leave Benchmark School, they are confident and compe- tent learners who know their learning styles intimately and can advocate for their own success.
Media, PA | 610-565-3741 | benchmarkschool.org
@benchmark.school
Church Farm School
Church Farm School is a private boarding and day college preparatory high school for boys that offers small classes, leadership opportunities, competitive athletics for all skill levels and a diverse, global community—all at an uncommonly affordable cost. All graduates are accepted into leading colleges and universities.
Exton, PA | 610-363-7500 | gocfs.net
@churchfarmschool
Innovate Academy
Innovate Academy believes that learning is a delight, and every scholar is uniquely wired to impact the world for good. Innovate does more than teach children to memorize facts; it partners with parents to educate the whole child—mind, body and spirit. Innovate Academy shapes thoughtful and passionate leaders through a time-honored, classical and academically rigorous model. Scholars read and discuss great books, grow in spiritual formation and learn leadership skills through service projects.
Innovate Academy’s private, pre-K through eighth grade, classical and Christian school is located in historic Chadds Ford, PA. The academy’s highly qualified mentors are passionate and committed to teaching with excellence. Learn more at innovateacademy.com.
Chadds Ford, PA | 610-545-6216 | innovateacademy.com
@innovateacademychaddsford
Gladwyne Montessori School
Discover the unparalleled education offered at Gladwyne Montessori, the only American Montessori Society (AMS) accredited school on the Main Line serving students from infancy through adolescence. At Gladwyne Montessori, students benefit from a curriculum deeply rooted in Montessori philosophy, beginning as early as six weeks old. In the Elementary Program, students consistently outperform peers on standardized tests in math, reading and writing. Small class sizes and a nature-rich campus foster individual- ized instruction and sensorial exploration. With a blend of tradition and innovation since 1962, Gladwyne Montessori cultivates a learning environment that nurtures each child’s unique abilities, preparing them for a limitless future.
Gladwyne, PA | 610-649-1761 | gladwyne.org/admissions/openhouse
@gladwynemontess
Perkiomen School
Providing lifelong knowledge through transformative experiences, Perkiomen is the only college preparatory school in the Mid-Atlantic that balances the search for a fulfilling life with the demands of the new economy. In this boarding and day school, all feel welcome. With a close-knit community that celebrates diversity, ambition and empathy, Perkiomen’s innovative model gives students in grades 6-12 a competitive edge in their academics, careers and lives. Specialized institutes, focusing on artificial intelligence, design, entrepreneurship and medicine allow students to rigorously apply a liberal arts education, with heightened engagement resulting from choice in the topics and methods of their education.
Pennsburg, PA | 215-679-9511 | perkiomen.org
@perkiomenschool
The Montessori School
Situated on a seven-acre campus complete with nature trails, The Montessori School, located in Dresher, PA, provides an authentic Montessori education to children 18-months through sixth grade. In a culturally diverse community of over 50 years, the programs educate using a multi-sensory curriculum and individualized instruction to challenge children at their own pace. Students develop academically, socially and emotionally through the guidance of highly trained teachers, accompanied by exploratory and experiential learning. TMS allows students to become self-motivated, intellectually engaged learners who will serve their communities as leaders of the future, stewards of the earth and ambassadors of peace.
Dresher, PA | 484-872-2300 | discovertms.org
@themontessoripa
Waldron Mercy Academy
Waldron Mercy Academy is a full-day, co-ed Catholic School sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy for students in preschool through 8th grade—where academic excellence and compassionate community have produced a century of success. With a focus on Mercy Core Values, integrity and social responsibility, students are encouraged to explore their passions, engage in service to others, and develop a deep sense of empathy and understanding. WMA has been recognized three times by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School and is the first and only recipient of the Service-Learning Program of Distinction award from the Middle States Association.
Merion Station, PA | 610-664-9847 | waldronmercy.org
@waldronmercyacademy
