This is a snapshot of three parents’ school choices. You can read other parent testimonials and contribute your own thoughts. Take five minutes to complete an anonymous survey to tell PSS and our readers about your school choice!
Parent #1
What school did you decide on? Greene Street Friends
Calendar year your child entered 2011
Grade your child entered PreK
What neighborhood are you in? Fairmount
What schools did you consider? We considered doing the voluntary transfer for public schools and charters. We looked at other private schools but found this to be much more affordable.
What factors were most important to you? Tuition, Teaching Philosophy, School Performance (test scores, success of graduates), Teacher Quality, Principal Quality, Diversity
What first attracted you to the school? The size (small) and the fact that it is a Friends school.
What were the critical factors that led to your choice? When we went to see it and met some of the staff, it seemed to be a very gentle and nurturing environment. Also, much more affordable as it only goes up $100 each year.
Did you relocate in order to choose this school? No
On the political spectrum, I consider myself to be Progressive
Parent #2
What school did you decide on? Greene Street Friends
Calendar year your child entered 2011
Grade your child entered kindergarten
What neighborhood are you in? NW Philly
What schools did you consider? Wissahickon Charter, Miquon, Germantown Friends, Perelman, Project Learn, Greenwoods
What factors were most important to you? Tuition, Location, Teaching Philosophy, School Performance (test scores, success of graduates), Teacher Quality, Principal Quality, Diversity
What first attracted you to the school? We heard great feedback from families who went there, plus that they focus on quality education and affordability.
What were the critical factors that led to your choice? Quality education, school values and environment, strong teaching and leadership, relative affordability
Did you relocate in order to choose this school? No
On the political spectrum, I consider myself to be progressive
Please share anything else about your experience We love the small school experience of Greene Street, the focus on educating the whole person, the excellent sense of community and commitment to diversity and inclusiveness that a relatively low tuition allows.
Parent #3
What school did you decide on? Greene Street Friends
Calendar year your child entered 2011/2012
Grade your child entered K
What neighborhood are you in? NW Philly
What schools did you consider? Henry, Jenks, Greenwoods, Wissahickon Charter, Project Learn, and Perlman JDS
What factors were most important to you? Tuition, Location, Teaching Philosophy, Diversity
What first attracted you to the school? reputation
What were the critical factors that led to your choice? We wanted a school that was local, diverse, and offered a holistic view of child development. Cost was a factor as well.
Did you relocate in order to choose this school? No
On the political spectrum, I consider myself to be progressive
This is a snapshot of three parents’ school choices. You can read other parent testimonials and contribute your own thoughts. Take five minutes to complete an anonymous survey to tell PSS and our readers about your school choice!
On her blog Raising Philadelphia, Inquirer reporter Miriam Hill wrote quite an amusing piece on her struggle deciding between public and private. Entitled Don’t Make Me Love You, Private School, it is a fake open letter to an unnamed private school. I believe that it will resonate with many of you going through this process. It starts with,
