Marta Rowh

Types of Philadelphia Elementary Schools

We may remember a time when kids just went to their neighborhood school. But this isn’t Kansas anymore. There are lots of options and lots of different application processes for parents nowadays. We started school hunting at the dining room table and finally I threw my hands up...what are ALL the options?! Every time I thought I knew it all, another school popped up! I wanted to have all my options before deciding which schools to look at and which open houses to attend, so here is a brief Elementary School Options 101.

PSS Community

Why I Chose Wissahickon Charter: 2010-11-18 School Selection Report

The thing that "sold" me on WCS is the Responsive Classroom Curriculum. It is a very structured and smart system by which all faculty and students learn to handle conflicts assertively. The vibe of this school is very peaceful and happy. A zero-tolerance of bullying is taken very seriously from the classrooms, to recess, to the buses.

Len Lipkin

Lawn Signs

File this post under the category of things you don’t much notice when you are not researching schools.  I have seen literally dozens of these private school open house signs around my neighborhood, mostly from GFS, highlighting 2010 open houses.  If you are interested in open houses, I suggest taking a look at the PSS open house...

Len Lipkin

Friends Schools Mystique Part 1: An Outsider’s Perspective

If you are from Philadelphia, you probably know about the Quaker-backed Friends Schools.  Depending on how widely you define the Philadelphia area, there are about 30 Friends Schools here, I believe among the highest concentration of Quaker schools in the world.  Growing up, the closest one to my house was Moorestown Friends. Though I did not attend, I did take music lessons from one of their teachers...

PSS Community

Why I Chose Friends Central: 2010-05-28 School Selection Report

Tell PSS and our readers about your school choice! Date Submitted: 5/28/2010 What school did you decide on? Friends Central Calendar year your child entered/will enter 2009-2010 Grade your child entered/will enter Kindergarten and Preschool What neighborhood are you in? West Philly What schools did you consider? Lower Merion Township Public Schools, Philadelphia Charter Schools What factors were most...

PSS Community

Why I Chose Greenfield: 2010-04-13 School Selection Report

Tell PSS and our readers about your school choice! Date Submitted: 4/13/2010 What school did you decide on? Greenfield Elementary Calendar year your child entered/will enter 2010 Grade your child entered/will enter 1st What neighborhood are you in? Center City What schools did you consider? greenfield and friends select What factors were most important to you? Location, Teacher Quality, Diversity What...

PSS Community

Why I Chose Springside School: 2010-03-24 School Selection Report

Date Submitted: 3/24/2010 What school did you decide on? Springside School Calendar year your child entered/will enter 2010 Grade your child entered/will enter Kindergarten What neighborhood are you in? NW Philly What schools did you consider? Miquon, Independence Charter, Greene Street Friends, The Philadelphia School, Wissahickon Charter What factors were most important to you? Financial Aid Package,...

PSS Community

Why I Chose Friends Select: 2010-03-17 School Selection Report

Date Submitted: 3/17/2010 What school did you decide on? Friends Select Calendar year your child entered/will enter 2009 Grade your child entered/will enter pre-k What neighborhood are you in? Center City What schools did you consider? Friends Select, Penn Charter, St. Peter’s , Russel Byers, Philadelphia School What factors were most important to you? Tuition, Location, Reputation, Teacher Quality,...