Private Schools in Phili Area? (Coatesville, Darby: renting, daycare, home)

[sbhubbell]

While I happen to agree that Conestoga AND several other neighboring public high schools are THAT good, people send their kids to private schools for a lot of reasons other than just academics. Some want a particular set of values as part of their kids schooling. Some just want smaller schools and classes, which I think is what the OP mentioned.

Episcopal's new campus is pretty incredible, it's right around the corner from DCCS where I spent a good deal of time. I had several friends that graduated from Episcopal, including the world famous filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. I think he's their most famous graduate these days. If my parents hadn't been looking specifically for a Christian school (with superior academics) I probably would've gone to Episcopal. It's also a lot pricier than DCCS.

As for the mainline vs. Moorestown pissing match, I think it's laughable and you guys are ridiculous, but I have to agree that you are utterly confusing facts and opinions. Heresay and reputation are not facts. SAT scores are facts, but as I said before college recruiters aren't using the new SAT scale and I haven't seen very many published scores on the new scale. Give us MFS scores on the (not-that-old) scale.

Oh, and it's one thing to promote your hometown. It's another thing to come to a PA board and just start TRASHING the entire mainline region just for the fun of it. People are coming here looking for information about the Philadelphia burbs, and tearing down such a highly regarded area with misinformation and opinion is not cool.

[maf763]

Phil-Mont might be a good option. In the last year or two they consolidated the lower school and upper school campuses into a single campus in Flourtown. It's not an evangelical place, but kids do have to take religion classes.

[sbhubbell]

I'd strongly disagree with the premise that Phil-Mont is not an evangelical place. It very much is, along the same vein as DCCS just in a different part of town and not quite as good academically. I have several friends who have taught there and several that attended there. If I lived close to Phil-Mont I'd personally at least consider sending my kids there, but I'm in favor of the evangelical environment.

[maf763]

Maybe it's a matter of definition, as I was using the more narrow definition of evangelical as 'born-again Christian'. My impression is that Phil-Mont's population would not be considered born-again to the extent of some other schools, like the nearby Open Door Christian Academy, though I'm sure there are exceptions.

[sbhubbell]

Well, if you take a few minutes to read their website I think you'll see that yes, the "intent" of Phil-Mont is for all the students to be or become born-again Christians. All the teachers there would consider themselves such. Very fundamentalist, evangelical Christian. I know this from firsthand experience.

I don't mean to start an argument or anything, I'm just clarifying what I meant by evangelical, I did mean "born-again". Sure there may be a few families there that don't consider themselves as such but it is by far the exception. Parents must sign all kinds of covenants as to beliefs, values, discipline, etc...

[maf763]

I had not gotten that impression when I visited but I'll yield as you seem to know the school better.

[Poshr]

Thanks to both of you for your info on Phil-Mont ; we were seriously considering it, and it's great to know these sorts of details.
I enrolled my children in a very similar sounding school where we are living now, and took them out after 1 year - I would hate to repeat the experience. Big thanks again to you both!
Any info on Episcopal Academy? It's over our limit, but somewhat feasible. Is it very evangelical? Is it a nice campus? What did you think of the teaching/students if you went there (or have heard...)?

[sbhubbell]

I didn't attend Episcopal but had friends that did. I don't consider it to be evangelical at all, it's much more of a semi-strict, high achievement type school if that makes any sense. It has a great reputation in the area and many kinds go to ivy league and similar schools. It also has decent athletics. The campus is brand new and state of the art, but I haven't spent a lot of time walking around it so I don't know how 'pretty' it is, but the area it's in is very pretty. As I said, if my parents hadn't wanted an evangelical school, I probably would've attended Episcopal.

[orrmobl]

Private schools merely perpetuate the system of socioeconomic elitism. This is not an opinion, this is fact.

Why else would the most wealthy neighborhoods with the best public schools have so many residents eschew it for ridiculously expensive private schools? Snob factor and knowing their children won't be rubbing elbows with the unwashed masses.

Centuries ago only the wealthy could afford an education, today private schools fill that role of making the social distinction.

I have no problem with people sending their kids to private schools, I just wish they would be more honest about the underlying reasons for doing so.

[sbhubbell]

Gee, thanks for your social comments in response to a newcomer to our lovely city's genuine desire for INFORMATION.

People want the best for their kids. Some people want to give their kids every chance to succeed in life, including possibly an easier time of getting into an ivy league or equivalent school, which in many cases ensures a better job when they graduate, etc. And yes, some people want to shelter their kids from potential obstacles like drugs and gangs and the like... yes, for some its simple snob factor. Who cares? Thank God we have choices.