PSS Community

Why I Chose Lower Merion: 2011-10-13 School Selection Report

Taxes are crazy high but at least the school quality reflects that.

Len Lipkin

Parent Asks, “Talk to me about city schools”

There is a family who moved to the area about 6 months ago, choosing Lower Merion for the schools. Now having settled somewhat, they are considering a move into the city.

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...

Len Lipkin

School Choice Based on Parental “Qualities”?

One of the things that I have noticed during my school search are the parents sitting next to me in open houses.  It occurs to me that one of the factors that has emerged as important to me indirectly are the parents of the children at the school I choose.  This point cuts across many themes that I have written about on this blog over the last 8 months, most directly parental involvement in the...

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...

Len Lipkin

School Success Criteria Vol 1: Parents

In the news lately there has been a lot of talk of underperforming “Renaissance” schools who will forced to dismiss many of their teachers.  On the one hand, I applaud the attempt to shock our worst schools into improvement.  On the other hand, I am dismayed that the teachers are being disproportionately punished for the failures of their schools.  It occurred to me that so many factors...

Len Lipkin

The Lower Merion School District Paradox

Drawing the school districting lines for the Lower Merion School District (LMSD) last year was a contentious issue, involving loud town hall meetings, angry allegations of racism, lawsuits, and now a federal investigation. Should that controversy be a factor in whether to move to LMSD for the schools?

Len Lipkin

Lower Merion–Spies Like Us?

Lower Merion has long been the no-brainer school choice.  Living in the city is a priority for me, but when schools are a factor, it is hard for Philadelphia School District’s beleaguered system to compete with what some consider to be one of the best public school districts in the country.  Until now, perhaps? Unless you have been living under a rock over the last few days, you have most likely...