William Penn Charter School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked PA School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 1,004 students
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

William Penn Charter School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Friends

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Students By Grade

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Distribution of Students By Grade

Grade	William Penn Charter School
Pre-K	25
Kind	47
1	48
2	47
3	51
4	46
5	56
6	60
7	78
8	80
9	122
10	122
11	114
12	108

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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Grade 9-10 enrollment highest with 122 students in each grade, far above Pre-K’s 25.

Year Founded

1689

Last Day of School

Sat. Jun 12, 2027

Campus Size

47 acres

School Motto

We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

Student Body

Total Students

1,004 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

27%

State avg.: 27%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

156 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

75%

Average Class Size

15 students

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

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Classroom Dress Code

Casual

jeans or khaki pants, polo shirt

Number of AP Courses

14 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

AB CalculusArt History

BC CalculusBiology

ChemistryEnvironmental Science

French LanguageLatin Literature-Catullus/Ovid

Physics CSpanish Language

StatisticsU.S. Government & Politics

U.S. HistoryWorld History

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Friends Council on Education (FCE)
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

Tuition Notes

The tuition ranges from $31,325 for PreK to $51,075 for Upper School.

% on Financial Aid

40%

College Acceptance Rate

100%

Admissions Director

Naté Hall

Admissions Associate

Shelley Evans

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$133.4 million

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Sports

Total Sports Offered

19 sports

Sports

LacrosseRock Climbing

SoccerSoftball

SquashSwimming

TennisTrack and Field

Water PoloWinter Track

Wrestling

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Colors

Blue, Yellow

School Mascot

Quakers

School Notes

William Penn Charter School, founded in 1689 by William Penn, is the world's oldest Quaker school.
Penn Charter has combined a rich heritage of Quaker values with academic rigor and excellence.
A college-preparatory day school educating students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, the school is located on a 47-acre campus in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.
Penn Charter's philosophy is centered on the Quaker belief that there is "that of God in every person." Respect for others and appreciation for each individual's unique values are woven into the very fabric of the institution.
We strive to be a richly diverse school community racially, religiously, economically, ethnically and socially.
We offer a need-based financial aid program.
Beyond the fundamental goal of promoting academic achievement and intellectual distinction, Penn Charter offers abundant opportunities to discover and develop artistic, civic and athletic abilities.

Penn Charter integrates the power of arts, civics and athletics into a vigorous academic experience, pre-K to grade 12. This educational program, combined with Quaker values, fosters creativity and resiliency. Our mission is to educate students to live lives that make a difference. Penn Charter's educational philosophy the Portrait of a Penn Charter Learner connects the school's mission with an academic program where students are guided to become Courageous Learners, Compassionate Friends, Constructive Communicators and Change Cultivators. Explore our website to learn about our 47-acre Academic Village with outstanding modern facilities, stellar teachers, and an educational program with a national reputation for excellence.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

What schools are William Penn Charter School often compared to?

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

What sports does William Penn Charter School offer?

William Penn Charter School offers 19 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Water Polo, Winter Track and Wrestling. William Penn Charter School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for most sports offered.

What is William Penn Charter School's ranking?

William Penn Charter School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Largest student body, Most sports offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.

When is the application deadline for William Penn Charter School?

The application deadline for William Penn Charter School is Dec. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

In what neighborhood is William Penn Charter School located?

William Penn Charter School is located in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 16 other private schools located in Northwest Philadelphia.

School Calendar

View the William Penn Charter School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event

Date

School closed

November 25, 2026 (Wednesday)

Thanksgiving; School closed

November 26, 2026 (Thursday)

Native American Heritage Day; School closed

November 27, 2026 (Friday)

Spring break begins at close of school

March 18, 2027 (Thursday)

Last day of classes for seniors

May 07, 2027 (Friday)

School Reviews

5 3/16/2012

As a senior about to graduate, I look back on my 7 years at Penn Charter with mixed feelings. The challenging academics and vigorous requirements were always a struggle for me. Not only was it hard to keep up, but it was sometimes hard to understand why my friends at public schools didn't have hours of homework each night. However, looking back on the experience, I can see how much it has shaped me. Going through high school is difficult, but I gained tremendously important skills that give me a huge advantage over others my age. The constant testing and homework also teaches us maturity, and allowed us to blossom into hardworking adults. I know that the price is extremely high, and the work is difficult, but Penn Charter truly is a wonderful school. It offers something for everyone; if you wish to be involved, you can certainly do so. Sports are a large aspect of student life, but for those like myself who are not interested in sports, you may manage a team and spend more of your time in the brand-new 14-million dollar performing arts center. No school is perfect, and PC certainly has its faults, but overall, going here has shaped me into an adult equipped for the world.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - pkess

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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 82% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).