Monday, January 30 2023 10:39

Chester County Guide to Private, Independent & Cyber Schools

Written by Marci Tomassone

Our guide to area private, independent and cyber school open houses

To view as a PDF, click here.

Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr

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: Feb. 1, Mar. 15, 9 am
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 discovery, 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.
Open House: Apr. 20, 6:30 pm

Gladwyne

Gladwyne Montessori
920 Youngsford Rd.
10-649-1761, ext.106; Gladwyne.org

Since 1962, Gladwyne Montessori has encouraged students to grow, love learning and think differently. As the only AMS-accredited school along the Main Line serving infants though adolescents, and through an authentic delivery of Dr. Maria Montessori’s researched-based curriculum, faculty cultivate depth of knowledge and the values required to be actively engaged global citizens. Their programs promote independence, concentration and innovation for students of all ages.
Call for a visit or email [email protected]

Haverford

Friends School Haverford
851 Buck La.
610-642-2334; FriendsHaverford.org
Friends School Haverford fosters a lifelong love of learning, grounded in the Quaker testimonies of integrity, equality, service, community, simplicity and peaceful problem solving. Their placebased approach and beautiful outdoor learning environment provide age-appropriate challenges and stimulate students to achieve their full potential. At FSH teachers nurture student voices so they are empowered to speak their truth.
Open House: Apr. 26, 9 to 11 am
Register: FriendsHaverford.org

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.
Middle School Preview Morning: March 10, 8 am
Register: MalvernPrep.org/LearnMore

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.
7th Grade Practice Exam: Mar. 25
VMA 6th and 7th Grade Virtual Preview: Apr. 13, 7 to 8 pm
7th Grade Visit Villa Days: Apr. 19 & 20
7th Grade Admissions Fair: May 3

Media

Media-Providence Friends School
125 W. Third St.; 610-565-1960; MPFS.org
A Quaker school for students age 2–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: Feb. 24, Apr. 21, May 19
RSVP to a Virtual Open House 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.
Spring Open House: Apr. 18, 5:45 pm
Register at EpiscopalAcademy.org/Events

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 benefitting 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.
Walk-in Wednesdays: Feb. 1, Mar. 1, May 3, 9 am
Middle School Experience Notre Dame Day: Feb. 11, 9 am
Register online at NDAPA.org/Visit

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, Mar. 7, 9:30 am; Apr. 15, 9 am
Middle & Upper School Spring Open House: Gr. 6-12, Apr. 18, 9 am

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 students’ drive for learning, thus unlocking their full potential and innovative minds full of ideas.
Middle and Upper School Tour and Learn: Gr. 6–12, Mar. 9, 8:30 to 10 am
Early Childhood & Lower School Spring Open House: Apr. 29, Gr. PK3–K, 9:15 am; Gr. 1–5, 10:15 am
Register at Tatnall.org/Visit

Wilmington Friends School
101 School Rd. (Rts. 202 & 95)
302-576-2900; WilmingtonFriends.org
A great place to grow up, offering 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 and competitive athletics.
Individual tours and visits available

Learning Differences & 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 differences in grades 1–8. Students are diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, executive function disorder or a similar language-based learning disability. Students receive individualized instruction so that they can become independent and confident learners from a highly qualified and dedicated faculty.
Call for a personal tour and information session

Conshohocken

AIM Academy
1200 River Rd.; 215-483-2461; AIMPA.org
AIM provides extraordinary educational opportunities through a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum to children grades 1–12. AIM is the Philadelphia area’s largest school for children with language-based learning differences, 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: Feb. 3, Mar. 3, Apr. 21, May 5 & 19, 9 am; Feb. 15, Mar. 15, Apr. 5, noon

Multiple Chester County Locations

Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services

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 learning differences. Devereux unlocks and nurtures students’ potential by implementing school-wide 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. The school empowers each student to reach his or her potential through intervention and strengthening learning strategies. Pre-K–12, and post-graduate program.
Open House: First Wed. of the month, 9 to 11 am
Virtual Open House: Options available