Brandywine Valley Guide to Private, Independent & Cyber Schools

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Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr

Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr
480 S. Bryn Mawr Ave.; 610-527-3915; SHABrynMawr.org
Established in 1865, Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) is an international, independent, all-girls, K–12 Catholic school on the Main Line. SHA is a proud member of the International Network of Sacred Heart Schools. The school has been committed for over 150 years to educating girls through faith, intellect, service, community and personal growth. SHA is fully accredited with the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools. Register online for visit days.
Virtual Open House: Upper School: Sept. 28, Oct. 19; K–8: Feb. 15
Parent Visit Days: All grades K–12: Sept. 30, Oct. 21 & 28, Nov. 4, Dec. 9

St. Aloysius Academy
401 S. Bryn Mawr Ave.; 610-525-1670; StAloysiusAcademy.org
Founded in 1895 by the Sisters, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Aloysius Academy is the only private, Catholic, all-boys K–8 school in the Philadelphia five-county area. St. Aloysius Academy provides an engaging and challenging learning environment for boys that recognizes their needs and develops their gifts and talents. Within a faith-based setting, relational learning permeates the caring and formative atmosphere where each student can grow to be the best version of himself.
Open House: Oct. 19, 9 a.m.
To schedule a private tour, contact [email protected]

Chester Springs

Montgomery School
1141 Kimberton Rd.; 610-827-7222; MontgomerySchool.org
At Montgomery School, every day presents new opportunities for discoveries, exploration and growth, where students and faculty have the freedom to push academic boundaries. Small class sizes within an expansive 60-acre campus create a rich and challenging academic environment that builds confident learners and leaders from the earliest ages. Montgomery School is a place of joy and community, inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
Contact them for a private tour

Glen Mills

St. Thomas the Apostle
430 Valleybrook Rd.; 610-459-8134; StThomasTheApostle.net
St. Thomas the Apostle school was established in 1956, and their mission is one of faith, hope and love steeped in Catholic values. They educate each child to the fullest extent: spiritually, academically, socially, physically and emotionally, and implement strategies and learning techniques to develop a responsible, independent leader. Service to the community is an integral part of schol life at St. Thomas the Apostle.
Open House: Oct. 20, Nov. 17, 6:30 to 8; RSVP [email protected]

King of Prussia

PA Virtual Charter School
630 Park Ave.; 866-728-2751; PAVCSK12.org
Experience matters in education, and PA Virtual Charter School has been a cyber charter school leader since 2001. PA Virtual equips students for the future with innovative, individualized, tuition-free learning, and their PA-certified teachers partner with parents to ensure student success. Combined with clubs, outings and socialization opportunities, students are prepared for life as productive, 21st-century citizens.
Open House: Oct. 6 & 11, 6 p.m.; Sept. 28, Oct. 26, noon
Explore more dates and register at PAVCSK12.org/Open-House-RSVP

Malvern

Malvern Preparatory School
418 S. Warren Ave.; 484-595-1100; MalvernPrep.org
Malvern Preparatory School is an independent Augustinian school for young men in grades 6 through 12. Malvern Prep offers its students a nurturing, Catholic community in which they can grow and become the best possible version of themselves. The curriculum balances rigorous academics, extracurricular commitment, spiritual development and Christian service, providing an experience that places students at the center of learning.
Open House: Oct. 22, 9 a.m. Register: MalvernPrep.org/OpenHouse
Entrance Exams: Oct. 29, Nov. 6, Dec. 3

Villa Maria Academy High School
370 Central Ave.; 610-644-2551; VMAHS.org
Villa Maria Academy is a girls’ Catholic college preparatory high school educating young women to be critical thinkers, creative problem solvers and collaborative citizens with strong communication skills. Rigorous academics, combined with innovative real-world experiences and extensive extracurricular opportunities, prepare young women with the skills and the confidence they need to meet the challenges of the future.
Public to Private School – What to Expect: Sept. 28
7th and 8th Grade Open House: Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to noon, register online
8th Grade Entrance-Scholarship Exams: Oct. 16 or 22
8th Grade Visit Villa Days: Oct. 5 & 27, Nov. 3, Dec. 15

Media

Media-Providence Friends School
125 W. Third St.; 610-565-1960; MPFS.org
A Quaker school for students age 2 to grade 8 that awakens the passion and potential of all individuals, within a welcoming, diverse community led by Quaker values. A close-knit learning community, MPFS offers students big views of the world ahead. In small classes, under the caring tutelage of early childhood, elementary school and adolescent experts who are passionate about teaching, students from diverse backgrounds and faiths grow up together.
Virtual Open House: Sept. 30, Oct. 28, Dec. 9, Feb. 24, Apr. 21, May 19. RSVP at MPFS.org/RSVP

Newtown Square

Episcopal Academy
1785 Bishop White Dr.; 484-424-1400; EpiscopalAcademy.org
Episcopal Academy, a Pre-K–12 coeducational, independent day school, offers a classical yet innovative academic program, renowned for excellence in the humanities and sciences, and focused on social responsibility and ethical leadership. Episcopal’s commitment to individual attention and to building an engaging, supportive school experience builds self-confidence and fosters a love of learning in all students.
Lower School Open House: Oct. 15
Middle & Upper School Open House: Oct. 16
Register at EpiscopalAcademy.org/Events

Rosemont

The Agnes Irwin School
275 S. Ithan Ave.; 610-801-1869; AgnesIrwin.org
What sets the Agnes Irwin School apart is its commitment to the holistic development of each girl — academics, arts and athletics — and encouraging students to make connections in learning, to think outside the box and to forge their own path. AIS is a school where girls cheer each other on, not compete against one another — a community that champions everyone, nurtures relationships and fosters the joy in learning.
All School Open House: Oct. 20, 6 p.m.; Apr. 12, 8:30 a.m.
Athletic Open House: Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

Springfield

The PA Cyber Charter School
Phila. Area Regional Office, 825 Baltimore Pk.; 888-722-9237; PACyber.org
The learning never stops at PA Cyber, one of the nation’s largest, most experienced and most successful online public schools. PA Cyber’s personalized instructional methods and curricula connect students and families with highly qualified teachers and rich academic content. Enrollment is open to any school-age child residing in PA, and the school does not charge tuition.
Online Info Sessions: Visit PACyber.org/Session

Villanova

Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
560 Sproul Rd.; 610-971-0498; NDAPA.org

With state-of-the-art centers for STEM and arts education, a world-class faculty, exciting global learning opportunities and a new mental health initiative benefiting every girl in grades 6–12, the Academy of Notre Dame inspires young women to take their place in the world as confident leaders in a global society. At Notre Dame, each student is empowered to pursue her passion, find her voice and discover her limitless potential.
Fall Open House: Oct. 2
Walk-In Wednesdays: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7
Entrance Exams: Oct. 15, 22 & 23

West Chester

Saint Agnes School
211 W. Gay St.; 610-696-1260; SaintAgnesSchoolWC.org
Saint Agnes School has provided generations of academic excellence since 1872. Recognized twice as an Archdiocesan School of Distinction and a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, the school’s mission is to develop every student spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially in a joyful, faith-based environment that inspires integrity, citizenship, leadership and service to others, as disciples of Jesus Christ, in the church and in the world.
Open House: Nov. 13 & Jan. 29, 11:30 to 1:30

Wynnewood

Friends’ Central School
Gr. 6–12, 1101 City Ave.; Nursery–Gr. 5, 228 Old Gulph Rd.; 610-649-7440; FriendsCentral.org
Guided by Quaker values since 1845, Friends’ Central School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school for students in nursery through grade 12. Located on 41 acres across two beautiful campuses, Friends’ Central cultivates the intellectual, spiritual and ethical promise of students. Their graduates pursue their passions at top colleges and universities. Alumni/ae report that they are well prepared to excel academically, to lead and to problem solve.
Lower School Open House: Nursery–Gr. 5, Oct. 12, 9:30 a.m.; Oct. 16, 9 a.m.; Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m.; Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m.
Fall Open House: Gr. 6–12, Sept. 29, 4 p.m.; Oct. 12, 4 p.m.; Oct. 25, 9 a.m.; Nov. 10, 4 p.m.

Delaware

Wilmington

Tatnall School
1501 Barley Mill Rd.; 302-998-2292; Tatnall.org
Students in Pre-K3–12 experience a transformative education on a gorgeous 100-acre campus. Tatnall provides each student a platform to experience endless educational opportunities. From diverse and enriching academics to top-tier arts and athletics, Tatnall’s dedicated teachers, coaches and community are at the heart of what makes Tatnall extraordinary. The deep, authentic relationships built there elevate their students’ drive for learning, thus unlocking their full potential and innovative minds full of ideas.
Call or visit their website to schedule your tour today

Wilmington Friends School
101 School Rd. (Rts. 202 & 95); 302-576-2900; WilmingtonFriends.org
A great place to grow up. They offer an unsurpassed academic program with depth, asking students to question, collaborate, be creative and take risks, all within a caring community that balances focus on the individual with responsibility to the common good. 1:1 laptop/iPad program for preschool–12th grade, STEM labs and programming, International Baccalaureate program, competitive athletics.
Open House: Oct. 18, 5 p.m.

Learning Differences and Special Education

Abington

Center School
2450 Hamilton Ave.; 215-657-2200; CenterSchoolPA.org
Since its founding in 1989, Center School has successfully supported students with language-based learning difficulties in grades 1–8. Students are diagnses with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, executive function disorder or a similar language-based learning disability. Students receive individualizewd instruction so that they can become independent and confident learners from a highly qualified and dedicated faculty.
Call to schedule a personal tour for your family

Conshohocken

AIM Academy
1200 River Rd.; 215-483-2461; AIMPA.org
AIM provides extraordinary educational opportunities through a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum to children in Gr. 1–12. AIM is the Philadelphia area’s largest school for language-based learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. Students experience a rich, research-based curriculum and a range of elective and extracurricular arts, music, club and athletic opportunities. Discover AIM for Innovative Teaching and Fearless Learning.
Open House: Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, Mar. 3, Apr. 21, May 15 & 19, 9 a.m.; Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 14, Jan. 18, Feb. 15, Mar. 15, Apr. 5, noon

Multiple Chester County Locations

Devereux Autism Assessment Center
610-431-8117; [email protected]

Since 1912, Devereux has offered outstanding and innovative educational programming across Southeast Pennsylvania. Small classroom ratios allow for individualized instruction/support in a safe and therapeutic setting for students with a variety of learing differences. Devereux unlocks and nurtures students’ potential by implementing schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and offering community-based instruction, school-based mental health services and a continuum of related services. PDE 4010 funding available to eligible students.
Schedule a tour today

Centreville, DE

Centreville Layton School
6201 Kennett Pk.; 302-571-0230; CentrevilleLayton.org
Centreville Layton School offers a robust educational and cultural experience for students who learn differently. The program identifies the academic and social needs of the individual and provides a curriculum that focuses on problem solving and critical thinking. Through intervention and strengthening learning strategies. the school empowers each student to reach his or her potential. Pre-K–12 and post graduate program.
Open House: First Wed. of the month, 9 to 11 a.m.
Virtual Open House: Options available