The Philadelphia School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked PA School
Grades: Prekindergarten-8
Enrollment: 430 students
Average class size: 10 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 1
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

The Philadelphia School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-8

Students By Grade

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Distribution of Students By Grade

Grade	The Philadelphia School
Pre-K	36
Kind	50
1	54
2	48
3	50
4	35
5	44
6	37
7	24
8	52

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Grade 1 has the most students with 54, slightly above Grade 8 at 52 and kindergarten at 50.

Year Founded

1972

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

430 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

26%

State avg.: 27%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

51 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

8:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

72%

Average Class Size

10 students

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS)
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Dec. 1

% on Financial Aid

30%

Admissions Director

Alison Fritz, Director of Admissions Early Childhood

Admissions Associate

Brian Johnson, Dir 1st - 7th

Application URL

Online Application

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Sports

School Mascot

Tiger

School Notes

The Philadelphia School educates children for a future that is impossible to know but not impossible to shape.
Learn here.
Go anywhere. The Philadelphia School`s progressive approach to learning and teaching has deep thinking, innovation, and agency as its guiding values.
We encourage children to explore and push the boundaries of possibility to fulfill their intellectual, social, and civic potential.
We approach learning through inquiry, projects, and community.
Core values and new research inform the school`s program and pedagogical practices.
Our interdisciplinary, theme-based approach prepares students to build a stronger and more inclusive school, community, and society for today and tomorrow. As an urban, preschool8th grade school, we address specifically how young students develop intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially, and physically.
Through our commitment to diversity, we seek to nurture each student`s moral compass, sense of personal integrity, and respect for individuality.
Learning in the city, country, and classroom affirms our founders` goal of educating children to become responsible and active stewards of the urban and natural environments.

The Philadelphia School educates children for a future that is impossible to know but not impossible to shape.
Learn here.
Go anywhere. The Philadelphia School`s progressive approach to learning and teaching has deep thinking, innovation, and agency as its guiding values.
We encourage children to explore and push the boundaries of possibility to fulfill their intellectual, social, and civic potential.
We approach learning through inquiry, projects, and community.
Core values and new research inform the school`s program and pedagogical practices.
Our interdisciplinary, theme-based approach prepares students to build a stronger and more inclusive school, community, and society for today and tomorrow. As an urban, preschool8th grade school, we address specifically how young students develop intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially, and physically.
Through our commitment to diversity, we seek to nurture each student`s moral compass, sense of personal integrity, and respect for individuality.
Learning in the city, country, and classroom affirms our founders` goal of educating children to become responsible and active stewards of the urban and natural environments.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

What schools are The Philadelphia School often compared to?

The Philadelphia School is often viewed alongside schools like William Penn Charter School by visitors of our site.

What is The Philadelphia School's ranking?

The Philadelphia School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Largest student body.

When is the application deadline for The Philadelphia School?

The application deadline for The Philadelphia School is Dec. 1.

In what neighborhood is The Philadelphia School located?

The Philadelphia School is located in the Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 6 other private schools located in Center City.

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Contact The Philadelphia School about admissions and next steps.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Philadelphia, PA is $11,750 for elementary schools and $23,464 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Philadelphia, PA is 76% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).