Monday, January 31 2022 10:30

Guide to Private, Independent & Cyber Schools in the Brandywine Valley

Written by Marci Tomassone

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

To view as a PDF, click here.

Pennsylvania

Crum Lynne

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School
Philadelphia Area Regional Office, 1553 Chester Pk., Suite 103
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. Please note the office will relocate from Crum Lynne to Springfield in spring 2022.
Online Info Sessions: Visit PACyber.org/Session

Kennett Square

Upland Country Day School
420 W. Street Rd.
610-444-3035;
UplandCDS.org
Upland Country Day School welcomes students in PreK through 9th grade (plus the BeeSchool Preschool) into an exciting world of learning on a large, outdoor-friendly campus. Students engage in challenging subject matter in an interactive, respectful and enthusiastic setting with a 9:1 student/faculty ratio. If children fall in love with learning now, they’ll stay in love with learning always. Find out why Upland is a place kids love to be!
Admissions Open House: April 27, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

King of Prussia

Agora Cyber Charter School
1018 W. 8th Ave.
844-462-4672; Agora.org
Agora Cyber Charter School, established in 2005, is an online public school for Pennsylvania students K–12. A rigorous curriculum is taught live by PA-certified teachers and focuses on providing all students the eductaional resources and skills needed to become successful lifelong learners. An extensive variety of extracurricular activities guarantees an enriching assortment of social opportunities, providing students with a well-rounded educational experience. Public school tuition paid by PA taxpayers.
Open house: Visit Agora.org/Virtual-Open-House

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 6–12. 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 and Christian service, providing an experience that places students at the center of learning.
Middle School Preview Morning: March 11
Middle School Entrance Exams: Feb. 12, March 20, April 23

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: April 2
7th Grade Admissions Exam: May 4

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. Data-based mitigation strategies, combined with the faculty’s flexibility and care, allowed in-person learning to continue throughout the pandemic with zero days of learning missed. Their academic curriculum centers on a whole-child approach, inspiring students to explore, question and create.
Virtual Open House: Feb. 25, April 22, May 20; RSVP at MPFS.org/RSVP.

West Chester

St. 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: Jan. 30, 12 to 2 p.m. Tours available upon request.

Wynnewood

Friends’ Central School
Nursery–Gr. 5: 228 Old Gulph Rd.
Gr. 6–12: 1101 City Ave.
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–grade 12. Located on 41 acres across two campuses, Friends’ Central cultivates the intellectual, spiritual and ethical promise of students. They go further. 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, virtual: Feb. 2, 12 p.m.; April 6, 9:30 a.m.
City Avenue Open House: Stay tuned for spring open house dates

Villanova

Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
560 Sproul Rd.
610-971-0498; NDAPA.org
With a bold strategic vision, proven online education program and state-of-the-art Riley Center for STEM Education, the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is inspiring young women from grades 6–12 to take their place as confident leaders in a global society. At Notre Dame, every student is empowered to pursue her passion, find her voice and discover her limitless potential.
Entrance Exam Testing: March 5, register online at NDAPA.org/VisitND
Tours: Available upon request, register at [email protected]

Delaware

Wilmington

Tatnall School
1501 Barley Mill Rd.
302-998-2292; Tatnall.org
Tatnall nurtures curious minds with a rigorous curriculum provided within an enriching and caring environment, furthering students’ unique intellectual and socio-emotional needs. PK3 through grade 12 students are challenged by exceptional faculty, compelling programs and enjoy outdoor classrooms in an idyllic 110-acre campus with multiple natural habitats. Their learning spaces — Innovation and Design Lab, Performing Arts Center, Certified Nature Exploration Classroom and elite athletic facilities — buzz with activity.
Call or visit their website to register and schedule your personal tour.

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. Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool, 1:1 laptop/iPad program for preschool–grade 12, STEM labs and programming and International Baccalaureate program.
Open House: Check their website.

Learning Differences and Special Education

Pennsylvania

Multiple Chester County Locations

Devereux Schools
610-873-4955; Devereux.org
Since 1912, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health has offered outstanding educational programming and instruction, addressing a wide variety of learning differences. Small classroom ratios allow for individualized instruction in a safe, therapeutic setting. Devereux helps students thrive and return to local educational communities via a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports approach, community-based instruction and work-study programs. An Approved Private School, Devereux offers 4010s to school districts. Devereux also offers the gold standard in autism assessment at its Autism Assessment Center in Downingtown.
Schedule a tour today.

Paoli

Delaware Valley Friends School
19 E. Central Ave.
610-640-4150; DVFS.org
DVFriends serves bright students in grades 1–12 with learning differences in reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), math (dyscalculia), memory (long-term and working), processing speed, ADHD and executive functioning challenges. Their Quaker community recognizes and honors the inherent worth of all people. Teachers guide students to embrace the courage to try, establish the confidence to reach father and build resilience to succeed in school and beyond.
Open House: Dates available at DVFriends.org/AdmissionsEvents

Delaware

Centreville

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. PreK–12 and post graduate program.
Open House: First Wed. of the month, 9 to 11 a.m.
Virtual Open House: First Wed. of the month, 12 p.m.