Padua Academy is a four year Catholic high school for young women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
It is a community rooted in the Gospel and modeled on the values of St.
Francis de Sales and St. Francis of Assisi. Therefore, we endeavor to provide an academic environment which fosters respect for knowledge and for the uniqueness of individuals in relationship to each other, and which nurtures the whole person while challenging her to accept the responsibilities of global stewardship.
The goal of Padua Academy is to educate young women in the spirit of love of neighbor flowing from a love of God, rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and modeled on the gentle strength of St.
Frances de Sales and the loving respect for creation of St. Francis of Assisi.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked DE School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 480 students
- Yearly Tuition: $17,577
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Padua Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Delaware for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Year Founded
1954
School Calendar
First Day of School
Fri. Aug 15, 2025
Last Day of School
Mon. May 25, 2026
Student Body
Total Students
480 students
Student Body Type
% Students of Color
15%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
41 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
National avg.: 13:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$17,577
Application URL
School Notes
- School Motto: Suaviter sed Fortiter (Softly, but Strongly)
- School Mascot: Panda
- Padua Academy is a four year Catholic high school for young women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. It is a community rooted in the Gospel and modeled on the values of St. Francis de Sales and St. Francis of Assisi. Therefore, we endeavor to provide an academic environment which fosters respect for knowledge and for the uniqueness of individuals in relationship to each other, and which nurtures the whole person while challenging her to accept the responsibilities of global stewardship. The goal of Padua Academy is to educate young women in the spirit of love of neighbor flowing from a love of God, rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and modeled on the gentle strength of St. Frances de Sales and the loving respect for creation of St. Francis of Assisi.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Ashley Christopher, Founder and CEO of HBCU Week Foundation -
- Misty Johnson Oratokhai, COO of the National Children's Center -
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Padua Academy cost?
Padua Academy's tuition is approximately $17,577 for private students.
Who are famous alumni from Padua Academy?
Padua Academy famous alumni include: Ashley Christopher, Founder and CEO of HBCU Week Foundation and Misty Johnson Oratokhai, COO of the National Children's Center.
What is Padua Academy's ranking?
Padua Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Delaware for: Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for Padua Academy?
The application deadline for Padua Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Padua Academy located?
Padua Academy is located in the Cool Spring neighborhood of Wilmington, DE.
School Reviews
5 7/15/2023
I graduated from Padua a few years ago and I miss it. I was coming to Padua from a large public middle school, so I didn't know what to expect, but I found that my classmates were much nicer than I had expected. I had an idea in my head of what private school girls looked like (rich, white, mean) and while some of that was true I did enjoy the atmosphere of the school much more than my middle school. My class grew closer together over the years and I found that I was able to sit and talk with people who I wouldn't have considered my friends and could get along well with the other students I interacted with. There were some cliquey attitudes from time to time but nothing worse than any other school I've been to. I think that the attitude around sisterhood at Padua does end up coming down to who your classmates are though, as some underclassman classes when I left did not seem to get on nearly as well. Lots of clubs are available across different interests and there are quite a few sports teams, so plenty for everyone to do. The academics were great, and the teachers are invested in your success and will work with you individually to help you succeed. The workload can be heavy at times but manageable with a few hours of work a night. The administration and teachers do their best to work with accommodations as needed, whether it be for long or short-term illness, academic struggles, mental health issues, or learning differences, they always did their best to support students.
5 3/29/2020
I graduated from Padua 3 years ago, and I must admit that I do miss it. I found it fairly difficult when I transferred into Padua my Junior year, mainly because the girls have already formed their friend groups and had already spent 2 years together. I transferred from an all girls' school to Padua so I found it interesting to compare the 2. It was ironic how Padua emphasized " sisterhood" much more than my previous school yet most of the girls did not show it. They were very, very cliquy and unless you were part of a girls' little group they would not associate with you is that really what sisterhood is? At my old school it was not unheard of to sit with or talk to girls who were not in your " group " I also felt judged rather than welcomed when I was considered the " new girl " Aside from the poor way that the girls there show sisterhood, I must say that the academics are top notch and the teachers are always there to help you when you are having trouble in school or even if you are having a bad day.
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