Academic Overview

We say students at The Philadelphia School do two things: they take care of each other, and they get smarter.

What does getting smarter look like? In the preschool, it may mean learning about mixing primary colors by experimenting with eye droppers and colored water. In the kindergarten it may be sounding out letters to write in an alphabet dictionary or using invented spelling to craft a sentence. In the Primary Unit, students get smarter as mathematicians as they compare and contrast patterns on the monthly calendar. In the Junior Unit, students write multiple drafts of a fiction story, working to develop character and plot. And in the Middle School, students delve deeply into research through skillful and responsible navigation of Internet and printed resources.

These are just a few examples of the many ways learning takes place at The Philadelphia School. Our integrated curriculum facilitates learning across the disciplines, allowing children to stretch themselves throughout the school day as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, and athletes.

Academic achievement matters at The Philadelphia School, especially for the children themselves, who take pride in their work and love learning.

As you will see when your read about the curriucum areas in our five units––preschool, kindergarten, Primary Unit, Junior Unit, and Middle School––our educational program is firmly grounded in pedagogical research and meets standards established to ensure excellence in learning for all students.