[sfmomma2812]

We are moving to Phila from San Francisco and I am a bit worried about the schools for our two daughters (4 and 1). We are both teachers and have thought about homeschooling but are still on the fence. We love the idea of a waldorf inspired school but don't want to pay so much for the education. Is there such a thing as a waldorf charter school there? (there is one in San Francisco).<br>
Are there good diverse public schools that aren't run by edison?<br>
I would love to hear what route people have gone for schooling! Thanks for your help!<br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://kittykat77.250free.com/ecbabyc.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":ecgirl"> with <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/cd.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Cd">: backup love to <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/knit.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="knit"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/familybed2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Familybed2"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/homebirth.jpg" style="border:0px solid;" title="Homebirth">

 

[Heart.Revolution]

Hi!<br><br>
I am not the best person to answer your questions really. There are many schooling options here. I don't have the time to make a list for you right now, perhaps someone else will come along and help me out. But there is many options, most are costly as you well know.

 

[4evermom]

We tried a Friends school just west of the city (Lansdowne Friends) but it was a poor fit for my ds (too structured - he's the spirited, sensitive type). We decided on homeschooling. There is a place called Open Connections in the western suburbs which is a homeschool day program. You can choose to send your kids for one day (or more) a week to take advantage of their facilities and to interact with other kids. I've heard great things from people whose kids go there but haven't gone to one of their open houses, yet.<br><a href="http://www.openconnections.org/" target="_blank">http://www.openconnections.org/</a>

 

[kofduke]

Honestly, I'm a huge PS advocate, but if you're going to live in the city I'd look for private/charter schools. I don't believe there is a Waldorf charter.<br><br>
Many of the friends schools are very good. I believe UPenn runs a very good charter as well. I've heard nice things about Wissahickon Charter which has an environmental focus. Out in the 'burbs the PS districts are very good. I've heard nice things about the School in Rose Valley, and again many of the friends schools - Kimberton Waldorf -<br><br>
It's all very dependent on exactly where you're going to live.

 

[huggingmama]

I'm not sure where you'll be in the Philly area, but... we go to the parent/child class at River Valley Waldorf school in Upper Black Eddy: <a href="http://www.rivervalleyschool.org/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.rivervalleyschool.org/index.php</a><br><br>
We love it! I think that a few people commute from Philly.

 

[ginnyjuice]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kofduke</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8025052"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Many of the friends schools are very good. I believe UPenn runs a very good charter as well.</div>
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There are tons of different charter schools all over Philadelphia. I don't know much about them, but I think most are high schools.<br><br>
I don't know of a charter school at UPEnn, but they have a regular public school, <a href="http://www.upenn.edu/campus/westphilly/pas.html" target="_blank">Penn Alexander</a>, that is university assisted and it is excellent. Hoever, you MUST live in its catchment. Everyone with a kid wants to live in that catchment, so available houses are not only few and far between, but also expensive.<br><br>
Greenfield, located in Rittenhouse, is also supposed to be a good public school, but I've heard mixed reviews on it.<br><br>
Beginning with 5th grade, there are public exam-type schools. <a href="http://www.masterman.phila.k12.pa.us/" target="_blank">Masterman</a> has a great reputation, and leads many kids into the magnet high schools, <a href="http://www.centralhigh.net/" target="_blank">Central</a> and a newer one, the Academy at Palumbo.<br><br>
More information on charter schools is here:<br><a href="http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/charter_schools/" target="_blank">http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/charter_schools/</a><br><br><br>
There are a bunch of good private schools, which tend toward the very expensive.

 

[moderngal]

Right now, our plan is to go with a Friends school. I haven't found any other schools that I feel are in line with our way of thinking. I'm not a Waldorf fan though and the public schools just aren't a good option here. I still have some time to look more and change my mind, but at this point, we're pretty sure we want DS in Friends schools.

 

[mirlow]

We home school and our kids go to Open Connections as well. There are a bunch of us in the area.<br><br>
There is a Waldorf school in Mt. Airy, but it's not a charter.<br><br>
There are a lot of school options in our area. Three of the families on our block go to the local ps and the other five all go to different private schools.

 

[cking]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>ginnyjuice</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8030911"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Beginning with 5th grade, there are public exam-type schools. <a href="http://www.masterman.phila.k12.pa.us/" target="_blank">Masterman</a> has a great reputation, and leads many kids into the magnet high schools, <a href="http://www.centralhigh.net/" target="_blank">Central</a> and a newer one, the Academy at Palumbo.</div>
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I just want to second these. I went to Masterman and Central, and they are excellent schools.<br><br>
Of course, that doesn't help for younger kids. We are hoping to move back to Philly eventually, and I'm not sure what we'll do for primary school.

 

[medeanj]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>huggingmama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8028760"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I'm not sure where you'll be in the Philly area, but... we go to the parent/child class at River Valley Waldorf school in Upper Black Eddy: <a href="http://www.rivervalleyschool.org/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.rivervalleyschool.org/index.php</a><br><br>
We love it! I think that a few people commute from Philly.</div>
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<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/yeahthat.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="yeah that">:

 

[brittmarieflicka]

there are some good public elementary schools in the chestnut/mt airy section of philadelphia (NW) that are not run by Edison. The Waldorf School is also a good option. Settlement Music school (there are branches throughout the Philadelphia area) has a pre-school/headstart full day program. It includes daily dance, music and visual arts for the children. Project Learn is also in Mt. Airy. It was started by local parents who wanted an alternative education for their children and has been in existence for over 25 years. Check out <a href="http://www.friendscouncil.org" target="_blank">www.friendscouncil.org</a> for a complete list of friends schools in the area. I've been obsessing about our daughter's educational future lately ... I'm a teacher in a public school in NJ and chances are she might just end up going over there with me. we'll see ...<br><br>
hope that helps!<br><br>
good luck