How are the schools in Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia: home, neighborhood)

[renlouis]

Could anyone from Mt. Airy or Chesnut Hill tell me your opinions of the schools? I'm looking at the area and have a 10 y.o. and a 13 y.o. Thanks!

[gfspeople]

Public or Private? If public, than they are okay, but if private, Germantown Friends and Penn Charter and Chestnut Hill Academy are all good private schools in that area. I went to Germantown Friends School, and there are many Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill students there, and it is rated around seventh in the country for schools in total.

[renlouis]

Thank you gfs - I think we'll be going the public route since there are so many good public schools in the area. We will need to buy in an area that has very good to great public schools - so, in your opinion, are the public schools not so good compared to others in the area (for example, Central Bucks, Council Rock, Solebury - I know they are all in Bucks county, but for now that's what I'm comparing to). I'd love to hear any opinions on this. Thanks so much!

[solibs]

Some of the neighborhood grade schools in Philly are good. The real problem is getting your child into one of the better high schools.

In any case, I'm not sure that you're going to find very good to great public grade schools in the city. You're probably best off looking in places where most people have the same focus you do.

There are great schools in all of the suburban counties so unless you're committed to living in Bucks I wouldn't limit your search to there.

[renlouis]

Thanks solibs - As much as Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill appeal to me, I think we will be better off staying in the suburban counties for the great schools. I appreciate your input!

[eggtimer]

Both Henry in West Mt. Airy and Jenks in Chestnut Hill have the reputation of being pretty decent schools for the school district of Philadelphia. You can check the school district website to see their demographics, test scores, etc.

[gfspeople]

Originally Posted by renlouis

Thank you gfs - I think we'll be going the public route since there are so many good public schools in the area. We will need to buy in an area that has very good to great public schools - so, in your opinion, are the public schools not so good compared to others in the area (for example, Central Bucks, Council Rock, Solebury - I know they are all in Bucks county, but for now that's what I'm comparing to). I'd love to hear any opinions on this. Thanks so much!

in my opinion there are some great public schools in Philadelphia like Masterman (Masterman Home and School Association) Central High school (Central High School of Philadelphia). The only problem is that the best schools in the area are very hard to get into, in other words, everyone wants to go to those schools. There are some good public schools farther out in Pennsylvania, but there some great ones in the city too. In comparison I would say that it would depend on if your child is a boy or a girl. There is a great high school for girls (Philadelphia High School for Girls - The School District of Philadelphia).
Philadelphia has given most public schools a small budget so a lot of the schools in your area are probably not as good as some others out of Philadelphia. Good luck finding the right one for your child, and I hope I have been helpful

[renlouis]

Thanks GFS - the system won't let me rep you again, but I appreciate the info. consider yourself repped!!

[orrmobl]

Masterman is one of the best high schools in the country. And you have to apply to get in. Conestoga High is also one of the best high schools in the country. And all you have to do is live in the Tredyffrin-Easttown school district.

The hassle just isn't worth it to live in the city unless you have the funds for private schooling; otherwise, just live in one of the districts you mentioned, esp New Hope or Central Bucks, and visit the city on the weekends...