Private School Review - Established 2003
Delaware Valley Friends School Photo - Delaware Valley Friends School is a national leader in the field of educating students (grades 1-12) with dyslexia, dysgraphia, executive function disorders, ADHD, and other learning differences located in the Philadelphia area.
Delaware Valley Friends School

Most Selective Private Elementary Schools in Pennsylvania

The average private elementary school acceptance rate in Pennsylvania is 80% per year (2025-26).
The most selective school in Pennsylvania is Girard College, with an acceptance rate of 8%.
Acceptance Rate Range: 8% 45% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 28%

Most Selective Private Elementary Schools in Pennsylvania (2025-26)

School
Acceptance Rate
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Girard College
Girard College Photo - Founder's Hall
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Grades: 1-12
2101 S College Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19121
(215) 787-2621
Rank: #22.
Gwynedd-mercy Academy Elementary School
Gwynedd-mercy Academy Elementary School Photo - Gwynedd-Mercy Academy has kept pace with developing technology by equipping our classrooms, library and computer lab with interactive whiteboards, wireless Internet and Microsoft Surface tablets, iPads and computer work stations. Technology is integrated across the curriculum and classroom devices are available for all students, enhancing individualized instruction.
(Catholic)
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Grades: PK-8
816 Norristown Rd
Ambler, PA 19002
(215) 646-4916
Rank: #33.
Ephrata Mennonite School
Ephrata Mennonite School Photo - Ephrata Mennonite School Campus
(Mennonite)
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Grades: K-12
635 Stevens Road
Ephrata, PA 17522
(717) 738-4266
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Calvary Baptist Academy
(Baptist)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-12
11394 Route 286 Hwy E
Clymer, PA 15728
(724) 254-9411
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
French Creek Valley Christian
(Christian)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-6
420 North St
Saegertown, PA 16433
(814) 763-3282
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Friends Select School
(Friends)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-12
17th St & Benjamin Franklin
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 561-5900
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Friends' Central Lower School
(Friends)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: NS-5
228 Old Gulph Rd
Wynnewood, PA 19096
(610) 642-7575
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Greater Works Christian School
Greater Works Christian School Photo - Character Counts Program
(Christian)
(15)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-8
301 College Park Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
(724) 327-6500
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Kidspeace National Centers
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: 1-12
5300 Kidspeace Dr
Orefield, PA 18069
(610) 799-7620
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Lehigh Christian Academy
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-12
1151 S Cedar Crest Blvd
Allentown, PA 18103
(610) 776-7301
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Montgomery School
Montgomery School Photo - 5th Graders work with a team of scientists from the Ruth Patrick Center for Environmental Research (a program at the Academy of Natural Sciences) to conduct an in-depth study of Pickering Creek, which runs through Montgomery School's 60-acre campus.
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-8
1141 Kimberton Road
Chester Springs, PA 19425
(484) 326-8822
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Northumberland Christian School
(Baptist)
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-12
351 5th Street
Northumberland, PA 17857
(570) 473-9786
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
St. James Elementary School
(Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-8
2602 Buffalo Rd
Erie, PA 16510
(814) 899-3429
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
St. James Elementary School
(Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: NS-9
8306 Brookside Rd
Elkins Park, PA 19027
(215) 635-4673
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
St. John The Baptist School
(Catholic)
(2)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-8
504 S Broadway St
Scottdale, PA 15683
(724) 887-9550
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
St. Martha Elementary School
(Catholic)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-8
11321 Academy Rd
Philadelphia, PA 19154
(215) 632-3720
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Sewickley Academy
Sewickley Academy Photo - For Who You Are. For Who You Will Become.
(10)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-12
315 Academy Avenue
Sewickley, PA 15143
(412) 741-2230
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Shady Side Academy Middle School
Shady Side Academy Middle School Photo - At the Shady Side Academy Middle School students learn to balance school work, learn time management and begin the transition to young-adulthood. The transition from elementary to middle school is aided every step by caring faculty who get to know each child as an individual, offering encouragement while expecting the best from each child both personally and academically.
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: 6-8
500 Squaw Run Road East
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 968-3100
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Shenango Valley Faith Academy
(Christian)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: K-12
192 N Oakland Ave
Sharon, PA 16146
(724) 383-3043
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Titusville Wesleyan Methodist Academy
(Methodist)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: 8-12
302 E Walnut St
Titusville, PA 16354
(814) 827-2715
Rank: #4 - 214. - 21.
Western Pennsylvania School For The Deaf
Special Education School
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Grades: PK-12
300 East Swissvale Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
(412) 244-4214
Rank: #2222.
Penn-mont Academy
Montessori School
Acceptance Rate: 29%
Grades: PK-6
131 Holliday Hills Dr
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
(814) 696-8801
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
St. Peter's School
St. Peter's School Photo
(4)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: NS-8
319 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-3963
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Shady Side Academy
Shady Side Academy Photo - Shady Side Academy Senior School resides on a 130- acre campus which offers incredible facilities and resources that enable students to fuel their passions. Advanced level courses, teachers that motivate and support, and a college-like campus all help to prepare students for college and beyond.
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-12
423 Fox Chapel Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 968-3179
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Shady Side Academy Country Day School
Shady Side Academy Country Day School Photo - Our newest outdoor classroom a treehouse, the only one its kind in Western Pennsylvania, and one of only a few across the country. The treehouse features a 12x20-foot enclosed classroom, and large windows. A 30x30-foot observation deck surrounds the building and a suspension bridge which runs from the base of the treehouse to a lookout platform on a nearby tree.
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: PK-5
620 Squaw Run Road East
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 968-3000
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Valley Forge Military Academy
Valley Forge Military Academy Photo - Our mission is to develop individuals fully prepared to lead as responsible citizens. At Valley Forge Military Academy, we produce graduates who are resilient in mind, strong in body, and guided by a moral compass. Through leadership training, academic rigor, and character development, our cadets are equipped to thrive in all aspects of life.
All-boys
(3)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Grades: 7-12
1001 Eagle Rd
Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 989-1200
Rank: #2727.
William Penn Charter School
(Friends)
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 31%
Grades: PK-12
3000 W School House Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 844-3460
Rank: #2828.
Germantown Academy
Germantown Academy Photo - Second grade students research various species in the Wissahickon Creek, which runs through the heart of GA's campus.
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Grades: PK-12
340 Morris Rd
Fort Washington, PA 19034
(267) 405-7070
Rank: #2929.
The Ellis School
The Ellis School Photo
All-girls
(18)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Grades: PK-12
6425 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 661-5992
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Friends Central School
Friends Central School Photo - Friends' Central School is an independent, coeducational, Quaker, college-preparatory day school for Nursery through grade 12 students. Located on 41 acres across two campuses in Wynnewood, Pa., Friends' Central cultivates the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical promise of students. Since 1845, Friends' Central has been educating for excellence, inspiring tomorrow's leaders, honoring each individual, and encouraging students to peacefully transform the world.
(Friends)
(1)
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Grades: NS-12
1101 City Avenue
Wynnewood, PA 19096
(610) 649-7440
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
The Shipley School
The Shipley School Photo - Shipley Upper School
(5)
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Grades: PK-12
814 Yarrow Street
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 525-4300
Rank: #3232.
Shady Side Academy Junior School
Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo - Shady Side Academy has four campuses. The Junior School, located in Point Breeze, begins at PK and goes up to the fifth grade. On this seven-acre campus, our youngest students reside in the newest facility built specifically for their needs. This photo shows PK students tending their garden. Our second PK - 5 campus is located in Fox Chapel.
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Grades: PK-5
400 S Braddock
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
(412) 968-3179
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Greene Street Friends School
Greene Street Friends School Photo - Middle School, grades 5-8, is marked by a rigorous academic program that recognizes that every child is unique and special. Students participate in many hands-on individual and group projects that promote curiosity and understanding. Students are well prepared for the top high schools, both public and private, in the area.
(Friends)
(4)
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: NS-8
20 W. Armat Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 438-7000
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
St. Edmund's Academy
St. Edmund's Academy Photo - St. Edmund's Academy, Squirrel Hill, PA
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Grades: PK-8
5705 Darlington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 521-1907
Rank: #3535.
Quba Institute Of Arabic And Islamic Studies
(Islamic)
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Grades: K-8
4637 Lancaster Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 473-8589
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pennsylvania average private elementary schools acceptance rate?
The Pennsylvania average private elementary schools acceptance rate is 80% for 2025-26.
What are the most selective private elementary schools in Pennsylvania?
The top ranked private elementary schools in Pennsylvania include Girard College, Gwynedd-mercy Academy Elementary School and Ephrata Mennonite School.

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