Len Lipkin

Make a Philadelphia School Match

There's a new resource in town for families trying to identify a school for their kids... phillyschoolmatch.org.

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.

Len Lipkin

Khaaaaaan! [Video]

Khan Academy can be a great resource if you are considering homeschooling, but it can also supplement a kid's education when a little extra help is needed.

Len Lipkin

Going Local for Education Movement Escalates to…Lawn Signs?

Last month I wrote about lawn signs that had popped up all over my neighborhood for private schools advertising their open houses.  As I have been following and struggling with our neighborhood “Going Local” movement, the fact that our local public school has gotten into the lawn sign act has been an interesting development. I contacted a member of the Jenks Home and School Association and...

Len Lipkin

Resource for People Investigating Catholic School Options

Longtime readers of this blog know that I am Jewish.  As such, Catholic Schools have not been on my school search radar and, by extension, absent from this blog.  I have been looking into getting contributions from other parents on a variety of topics, including Catholic schools.  Are you interested in contributing? In the meantime, if you are considering Catholic School options in Philly, be sure to...

Len Lipkin

A Primer on Transfers in the School District of Philadelphia

If you wish to send your child to a public school that is not your designated catchment school, you must fill out a VTP application. This post has tips on how to navigate this process, formerly known as the EH-36.

Lisa Marchiano

Why I Homeschool Part 4: Resources

If you are considering homeschooling your children, here are some resources that I referenced in my previous articles on homeschooling (Part 1, 2, 3) or that I recommend in general.  This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it’s a good place to start. For general information about homeschooling in Pennsylvania: Ask Pauline Drop-off programs: Talking Stick Learning Center Open...

Len Lipkin

New West Philly Parents Movement Launched

In part inspired by the efforts of the parents of Andrew Jackson Elementary in South Philly, a group of West Philly Parents has formed the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools to start the conversation. A post on the PhiladelphiaSpeaks forum stated As a West Philly parent of an infant, toddler or preschooler, are you concerned about your choices for kindergarten and beyond? Do you want for your...