Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked PA School
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
Enrollment: 1,245 students
Yearly Tuition: $28,000
Acceptance rate: 59%
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Nursery	125
Pre-K	50
Kind	57
1	43
2	61
3	56
4	46
5	64
6	64
7	91
8	80
9	125
10	120
11	133
12	130

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Year Founded

1861

Last Day of School

Fri. Jun 4, 2027

Campus Size

62 acres

School Motto

Integrity | Courage | Diversity | Thoughtfulness | Resilience

Student Body

Total Students

1,245 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

30%

State avg.: 27%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

150 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

8:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

75%

Average Class Size

15 students

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

School uniform varies depending on grade level.

Number of AP Courses

13 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)
Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Dec. 1 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$28,000

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition varies depending on grade level. Read about our tuition: www.sch.org

% on Financial Aid

58%

Acceptance Rate

59%

National avg.: 85%

Admissions Director

Katy Friedland, Director of Admissions & Enrollment

Admissions Associate

Maggie Baker

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$50 million

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Sports

Total Sports Offered

17 sports

Sports

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWinter Track

Wrestling

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School Mascot

Blue Devils

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

15 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Black Student UnionCappies

Community CouncilEvents Council

Gay Straight AllianceHonor Council

Math Peer TutorMock Trial

Model UNRobotics

School NewspaperService Council

World Language CouncilYearbook

Arts and Music Programs:

Players

School Notes

Distinguished by its innovative academic programs and single-sex to coed educational model, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH) offers students-18 months to 18 years-a welcoming learning community set in an urban oasis at the edge of the Wissahickon Valley in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.
Combining 300 years of academic excellence through the merger of Springside School and Chestnut Hill Academy, SCH is now the largest independent school in the city.
Deeply talented educators prepare our students to be thoughtful, curious, and independent thinkers with the skillset and mindset for future success.
The school's premier facilities, from makerspaces to turf fields, draw students from over 100 zip codes. Signature programs include entrepreneurial leadership, robotics and engineering, classic and tech-forward arts, a boots-on outdoor education, and a Reggio Emilia-inspired Early Childhood Center.

The Sands Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) provides unique learning opportunities that empower students to tackle any challenge using entrepreneurial thinking. CEL projects and programs incorporate technology, design, and entrepreneurship in a hands-on, project-based fashion. As they engage with the wider world, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy students graduate ready to shape the future through inquiry, enterprise, and leadership.
From their earliest years at SCH, students learn to become creative designers and problem solvers through a school-wide engineering and robotics curriculum that is one of the few of its kind in the country. With 20 years of experience, SCH's Engineering & Robotics Team 1218 has won multiple esteemed awards including the World Champion title in 2019.
Through a significant and enduring commitment to environmental sustainability, SCH students are passionate environmental stewards and thoughtful agents for change.
As a result of an impressive breadth and depth of experience for students, Pre-K12, SCH students acquire an appreciation for the rich legacy of artistic expression throughout the art and new media skills needed to be digitally and creatively literate.
SCH students think critically about their roles as global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world and extend their curricular studies and awareness of global issues.
By exposing students to outdoor education at SCH, they develop confidence and independence, gain new perspectives on their classroom studies, and develop a greater appreciation of and respect for nature.
Situated on a 62-acre campus in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, the school prides itself on preparing students to lead lives characterized by thoughtfulness, integrity, and a passion to effect positive change. Learn more at www.sch.org/learn.
SCH is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the Pennsylvania Association of Private Academic Schools.SCH also holds membership in NAIS, NASSP, CEEB, NACAC, PACAC, and the Cum Laude Society.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Springside Chestnut Hill Academy cost?

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's tuition is approximately $28,000 for private students and $430 for summer students.

What is the acceptance rate of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy?

The acceptance rate of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is 59%, which is lower than the national average of 85%. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Pennsylvania with low acceptance rates.

What sports does Springside Chestnut Hill Academy offer?

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy offers 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for most sports offered.

What is Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's ranking?

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Springside Chestnut Hill Academy?

The application deadline for Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is Dec. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

In what neighborhood is Springside Chestnut Hill Academy located?

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 4 other private schools located in Chestnut Hill.

School Calendar

View the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy yearly calendar below.

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (5 reviews)

5 5/9/2025

I graduated from Chestnut Hill Academy in 1959, having spent 12 exceptional years at this small independent school with an all-male student body of 455 . To observe this transformation over the last 66 years into the present-day institution is what I can only describe as "miraculous "!!!

- Posted by Student/Alumni - Stephen Peake '59

5 4/20/2023

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is an excellent all-school for a family interested in a rigorous education and an environment that creates a well-rounded student. The students that graduate from this institution are strong and focused. They are ahead of the game in every area!!! My husband and I love this school for our two children. It really is top-notch!! The administration is on top of everything and it's refreshing that they are evenhanded and fair when dealing with a diverse group of students from all backgrounds and nationalities.

- Posted by Parent - A

5 12/15/2021

This is a great school for your kids all the teachers are nice and the academics are superb.

- Posted by Parent - John

5 5/16/2019

The growth that SCH has experienced since the merger is incredible. The faculty and student body truly live the stated mission. Students are encouraged to pursue their passions; whether they include athletics or visual or performing arts. Faculty is dedicated and caring. Our son is thriving here, and we are so happy that we chose to be part of the SCH community!

- Posted by Parent - D

5 4/23/2018

SCH is a fantastic place for a student to learn, play, explore, grow, find friends, and gain mentorship. The school has a unique model of single sex education for boys and girls, pre-k through 8th grade, and coed education, 9th through 12th grade. With the rigorous college prep program, Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership from 4th through 12th grades, outstanding robotics & engineering program, arts curriculum, and athletics - all on the edge of the Wissahickon woods - on a 62-acre campus, SCH offers a wonderful academic & extracurricular experience.

- Posted by Administrator - Julia

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Philadelphia, PA is $12,234 for elementary schools and $18,734 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Philadelphia, PA is 81% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).