A GUIDE TO
Education
Benefits of a Private Education PRIVATE SCHOOLS BENEFIT STUDENTS BY fostering academic excellence and high achievement, educating the whole child within a values-based setting, and preparing youngsters for success in life. If you want a caring, challenging, nurturing, safe and secure environment for your child—a place where he/she can learn and succeed—consider a private school. Private schools are known for the high standards they set. They engage students and spark the desire to learn. Teachers expect excellence from students, and students tend to live up to those expectations. The high expectations and academic rigor help account for above-average levels of student success, including higher college-going rates. If you’re looking to help your child reach his/her potential in a school committed to excellence, consider a private school. At all ages and levels, from preschool through high
school, privateschools makes a huge difference in educational outcomes. It is especially important at the early stages of educational growth that students get the attention and care that private schools offer. • Private school students generally perform higher than their public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests. • Private high schools typically have more demanding graduation requirements than do public high schools. • Private school graduates are more likely than their peers from public schools to have completed advanced-level courses in three Academic subject areas • Private school students are more likely than public school students to complete a bachelor’s or advanced degree by their mid-20s Private school students scored well above the national average in the National Assessment of SUMMER
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A GUIDE TO EDUCATION
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A GUIDE TO EDUCATION
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Maria’s House Montessori
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ridges are wonderful things. The best are as beautiful as they are well-engineered, elegant in every sense of the word. What does that have to do with our summer program? Absolutely everything. The Montessori Bridge program brings a maximum of forty 3-6 year olds each week into close contact with extraordinary (and fun) components of our shared human endeavor side by side with our inspired guides and expert adjuncts. Maria's House integrates time-honored Montessori practice with new disciplines, as we break down golf and fencing, chess and organic gardening, equine and animal studies, pizza making and madcap team sports into their most basic components. Couple that with our usual array of advanced developmental opportunities (language arts, mathematics, reading, practical life, sensorial, music making, cultural anthropology) and our ongoing Lenni Lenape encampment, and you wind up with a summer experience that's as remarkable for family members and guides as it is for our children. And that's what our summer program is all about.
601 New Britain Rd., Bldg. 200, Doylestown, PA 18901 610.290.5019 • www.MariasHouseMontessori.com
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Earn your Master of Biomedical Sciences in Doylestown
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Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s (GCSOM) Doylestown campus is a partnership between GCSOM and the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute (BSBI), the research arm of the Hepatitis B Foundation. Located at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County, a biotech incubator housing more than 40 start-up companies, the setting offers GCSOM students enhanced opportunities for research opportunities, hands-on laboratory training, shadowing and access to lectures and events geared specifically for the scientific community. The campus offers two GCSOM degree programs. The master of biomedical sciences (MBS) program offers novel delivery of a proven curriculum. Classes are offered on evenings and weekends by GCSOM professors, in conjunction with BSBI scientists. The program provides multiple, successful career paths by grounding students in the basic sciences to work in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life science companies or to prepare for medical school or further graduate study. The campus also offers a Professional Science Master’s
(PSM) program, a degree that prepares students for laboratory research careers in the biotech, life sciences and pharmaceutical industries, as well as academia and government. The program is designed for working professionals with evening classes held exclusively in Doylestown. According to V. Scott Koerwer, vice dean, the PSM program was developed with input from a board of industry leaders. John Kulp, III, Ph.D., regional assistant dean, GCSOM and director of academic affairs, BSBI, noted that the links to industry serve students well. “Not only do we prepare students for in-demand careers, we also place them in close proximity to potential employers and mentors.”
O 3805 Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 570.504.9068 • www. geisinger.edu/gcsom
Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP scores provide an immediate measure of student achievement, but the report also presents a longterm measure: attainment of a college degree. “Students who had attended private school in 8th grade were twice as likely as those who had attended public
ed a private school was even more pronounced. Those students were nearly four times more likely than their public school counterparts to have attained a bachelor’s or higher degree. Private school attendance even seems to overcome a parent’s lowexpectations for a child. “For students whose mother’s
school to have completed a bachelor’s or higher degree by their mid-20s (52 versus 26 percent).” And note this: For students from the lowest quartile of socioeconomic status (SES), the advantage of having attend-
expectation (in 8th grade) was for them to attain an associates degree or less, those who had attended private school completed a bachelor’s or higher degree at a rate about our times that of public school students (30 versus 7 percent).” SUMMER
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A GUIDE TO EDUCATION The report explains that students from a low SES family who had “completed a calculus course in high school were much more likely than those who had not studied calculus to earn a degree by their mid-20s.” It also notes that students in private schools “are more likely than those in public schools to take challenging courses like calculus, and private schools are more likely to require them.” Specifically, private high schools require more courses for graduation than public high schools in math, science, social studies, foreign language, and computer science, and the coursework is more likely to include advanced courses in science (chemistry, physic, advanced biology), mathematics (trigonometry, precalculus,
Princeton Day School
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650 Great Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 609.924.6700 x1200 • www.pds.org/visit
calculus), and foreign language (a third year or more). Demanding coursework and high expectations are good for students. As the report states it, “Applying high academic standards--both requiring students to complete high-level, challenging courses and pushing students to strive and excel in their work—is a central schooling component that many experts recommend.”According to NCES data, 88 percent of private high school students apply to college, compared to 57 percent of public high school students. And reports from the College Board indicate that SAT scores for private school students are well above the national average. Continued on page 113
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rinceton Day School: an inspiring and exceptional PreK-Grade 12 learning environment where individuality and community happily thrive! The 106-acre Princeton, NJ, campus bustles with over 950 amazing students and a world-class team of well over 200 faculty and staff. Student-led learning and a spirit of inclusiveness fuel innovation, collaboration and skill-building across the School's renowned STEAM, arts and humanities programs, and sports and extracurricular programs with best-in-class coaches and advisors. Signature opportunities include the Research Experience independent study and internship program, a top national Model UN team, an exceptional sustainability program, the PDS-Princeton University ThinSat satellite launch partnership, the phenomenal Jacobson Music Scholars program, and award-winning PDS performing arts, to name a few. In all we do, Princeton Day School celebrates the pursuit of individual excellence and collaboration that binds us together as a community, acting knowledgeably, leading thoughtfully, sharing generously, and seeking lives of meaningful contribution.
Your Upward and Onward Await
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loomsburg University was founded on the belief that opportunity is created by the people who are determined to achieve more. A Bloomsburg degree opens doors: our grads are prepared to walk in, get to work and make a difference on day one. With 58 undergraduate programs from Digital Forensics and Nursing to Supply Chain Management and Special Education, and factor in 56 different minors, you’ve got serious choices. No matter where you see yourself or where you started out—success takes one thing: a willingness to put in the work. Here, life outside the classroom is anything but a distraction or an escape. It’s a laboratory for testing team dynamics and exploring your individual or cultural identity. Shore up your physical and mental strength. Build your social and professional network. When you graduate, you’ll join a network of more than 70,000 alumni who are Huskies for life.
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400 E. Second Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 570.389.4000 • www.bloomu.edu/admissions-visit
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A GUIDE TO EDUCATION
PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL opportunities of a lifetime. every day.
Visit us! pds.org/visit 609-924-6700 x1200
An independent school for students from PreK through Grade 12. 650 Great Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
HUSKIES CHARGE AHEAD
SAVE THE DATE: fall open house
Sept. 28 Oct. 19 online registration available early Aug.
When you graduate, you’ll join a network of more than
70,000 alumni
INTERESTED IN SCHEDULING A VISIT? bloomu.edu/admissions-visit
who are huskies for life!
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A GUIDE TO EDUCATION
Notre Dame High School
601 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
www.ndnj.org
Where will Notre Dame lead you? Every year 98% of our graduating seniors are accepted to the nation’s finest colleges and universities, carrying millions of dollars in scholarships with them. Diligence has its rewards.
We ’r e b u i l d i n g
CONFIDE NC E . Our Early Childhood Program for 3 to 6 year-olds, provides a nurturing environment that encourages imagination and exploration through creative play and purposeful work. Whether indoors in our simple and nature-based classrooms or outdoors on our wooded campus, children are engaged in activities designed to develop motor skills, cultivate postive social skills and build a solid foundation for academic learning, self-awareness and self-esteem. To learn more, call admissions at 610.982.5606 or email admissions@rivervalleyschool.org.
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Pre-K through 8th grade
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1395 Bridgeton Hill Road • Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972 610.982.5606 • rivervalleyschool.org
A GUIDE TO EDUCATION
Notre Dame High School
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ince 1957, Notre Dame has prepared more than 17,000 young men and women for lives of purpose built upon a foundation of Catholic faith with a commitment to service. Every day at Notre Dame is filled with breakthrough moments within the classroom, on stage, in the athletic arena and in the communities we serve. Every day we help our students reach new levels of understanding by challenging them to think, imagine, and participate in extraordinary moments. Notre Dame’s, SAT, ACT and AP scores are well above the national average, and 98% of our graduating seniors go on to higher education, including some of the nation’s finest colleges and universities, carrying millions of dollars in scholarships with them. Students come to know that diligence has its rewards. Located on 100 beautiful acres in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Notre Dame is just five miles from Princeton and a short trip over the bridge from Bucks County.
O 601 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609.882.7900 • www.ndnj.org
Riiver Valley a Wa Waldorf School
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iver Valleyy Waldorf School students learn by doing – in a tech-free and naturebased enviironment. From Pre-K through 8th grade, our Waldorf-trained faculty are commiitted to educating the whole child—through creativityy, activity and purpose. With stro ong academics enriched by an integrated arts curriculum, we prepare self-confident, indeependent thinkers who are socially responsible and globally conscious. Our seven-acre cam mpus of fields and woodlands offers inspiration everywhere, providing boundless opportu unities for outdoor exploration and play—in all weatherr, for all ages, every dayy. Wa Waldorff education places a high value on fostering kinship with nature. Children who are iimmersed in the natural environment have more opportunities to learn new things in new ways. As children grow w, their curiosity blossoms into true scientific investigation, they develop a strong bond with nature and discover their place within it. Visit us at Riveer Valley a Wa Waldorf School and see for yourself the richness that Wa Waldorf education can brin ng to your children.
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1395 Brid dgeton Hill Rd., Upper Black Eddy y, P PA A 18972 610 0.982.5606 • www w.rivervalleyschool.org
When it comes to challenging students to stretch their capacity, private schools do an exceptional job. Statistics from the College Board and NCES show that for high school seniors, 24.2 percent of private school students took AP exams in 1998, while 9.4 percent of public school students did so. Private schools, which account for only 7.5 percent of all high school students, produced 20 percent of 12th graders who took AP exams in 1998 and 22 percent of those who scored high enough to have the advanced courses count for college credit. The National Center for Education Statistics periodically administers the National Assessment of Educational Progress
(NAEP) to test the knowledge and skills of the nation’s students in grades 4, 8, and 12. Students in private schools consistently score well above the national average. At all three grades a significantly higher percentage of private school students score at or above the Basic, Proficient, and Advanced levels than public school students. Below are the results from the most recent NAEP report cards in reading. NAEP report cards in other subjects. *CAPE (Council For American Private Education) www.capenet.org. Used by permission.
A GUIDE TO EDUCATION
Buckingham Frien nds School
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t Buckingham Friends School, ch hildren find space to explore a grow—through a curriculum tthat’’s flexible and responsive and t their interests; across an expansive campus that encourages to play and risk-taking; and within our valu ue-added programming that adds breadth and depth to their individuaal learning experiences. Join us for a personal tour or an up pcoming Admissions Open House to learn more about this K-8 indepeendent school that celebrates the spirit of youth and stewards the promisse of each individual to build an engaged learning communityy. For more information, visit www w.bfs.org or speak with our Director of Admission, Melissa Clayton, at 215-794-7491.
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5684 York o Road, Lahaska, PA PA 215-794-7491 www w.bfs.org
BE BE STRONG STRONG BE BE SMART SMART BE CREATIVE BE CREATIVE BE BE YOURSELF YOURSELF
Villa Joseph Marie Email admissions@vjmhs.org to ( $'Ʉadmissions@vjmhs.orgɄ/*Ʉ schedule a visit to Villa today. . # 0' Ʉ Ʉ1$.$/Ʉ/*Ʉ $'' Ʉ/* 4Ɔ SUMMER PROGRAMS ($ .ɄƌɄ /#' /$ .Ʉ $) Ʉ -/.ɄƌɄ 0.$ Ƥ # /- ɄɄ -1$ ɄƌɄ ./Ʉ - + $.$/Ʉwww.vjmhs.org/summer. FALL OPEN HOUSE 3+'*- Ʉ2# /Ʉ$/Ɩ.Ʉ'$& Ʉ/*Ʉ Ʉ Ʉ ./0 )/Ʉ /Ʉ $'' ƆɄ ''Ʉ - Ʉ2 ' *( Ə Sunday, October 6, 2019
“A MUSICAL CABARET” Revisiting past shows such as Footloose, Junie B. Jones, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors, Hello Dolly, and will also include musical numbers from current Broadway favorites such as Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked, Hairspray, RENT, and so much more! Founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Casimir,
*$)Ʉ0.Ʉ!*-Ʉ/# ɄŨ-./Ʉ+-* 0 /$*)Ʉ Villa Joseph Marie is a private Catholic college-preparatory $)Ʉ*0-Ʉ - ) Ʉ) 2Ʉ./ / Ɲ*!Ɲ/# Ɲ -/Ʉ high school for young women—the only one of its kind -!*-($)"Ʉ -/.Ʉ )/ -Ɔ in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
November 22-24, 2019
vjmhs.org vjmhs.org
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1180 Holland Holland Road, Road, Holland, Holland, PA PA 18966 18966 1180
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illa Joseph Marie is a private Catholic college-preparatory high school for young women located on 72 scenic acres in Holland, Bucks County. The Villa experience is fully focused on the needs and strengths of girls, empowering students through exceptional expectations and support. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, Villa delivers a global education on a personal scale, developing women with character, confidence, and a passion for learning. Life at Villa is filled with friendship and fun, enriching extracurricular activities, local and international travel, and opportunities to serve. Whatever the challenge, Villa girls work together to exemplify the Villa mission—Always more, Always better, Always with love.
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1180 Holland Road, Holland, PA 215-357-8810 www.vjmhs.org
A GUIDE TO EDUCATION
Grey Nun Academy
A learning environment that sparks joy We invite you to discover the Grey Nun Academy difference. Whether your search has just begun or you're ready to make a change, it's the perfect time to explore our award-winning school. Schedule a tourr,, observe our classrooms in action, and witness why our students love Grey Nun Academy. We are now accepting p g applications pp for our expanding p g PreK3 & PreK4 programs through grade 8. Visitt www.greynunacademy.org to learn more.
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ounded in 1963 by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, Grey Nun Academy is an independent, Catholic, coeducational, Lower (PreK-5) and Middle school (6-8) in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Academy's mission is to offer an academically rich curriculum that meets the unique needs of individual students while respecting the rights, interests, and dignity of each child. Grey Nun Academy is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and dually accredited by Middle States Association and AdvancED. The Academy welcomes children of all faiths and cultures. The school's educational process leads children to embrace and promote peace and social justice in our world.
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G y Nun Academy Grey
1750 Quarry Road, Yardley, PA 215.968.4151 www.greynunacademy.org
Educating children for life. P R E K - 8 T H G R A D E | 1 7 5 0 Q U A R R Y R O A D | Y A R D L E Y, P A 1 9 0 6 7 | 2 1 5 - 9 6 8 - 4 1 5 1
Nazareth Academy
Nazareth Academy's rigorous curriculum is deeply rooted in the educational principles of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and prepares students for the nation's finest colleges and universities. Our educational process is studentcentered and is not limited by the walls of the classroom. There are many roads to success and we strive to help our Nazareth students discover their unique talents and ambitions. Nazareth's small class sizes, faculty involvement, and low student-to-teacher ratio foster an atmosphere of personal attention for every student.
www.nazarethacademyhs.org.
215.637.9114 • Philadelphia, PA
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isit Nazareth Academy High School at our Open House on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 9 AM to 12 PM. Open House provides prospective students and their families an opportunity to tour the school with current Nazareth students as well as meet faculty, staff, administration, current parents, and coaches. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the only private, Catholic high school for girls in Philadelphia. Nazareth Academy High School is located in beautiful suburban Northeast Philadelphia sharing a campus with Holy Family University. Nazareth is a close-knit sisterhood of young women that stays true to its mission of embracing faith, family, and education.
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4001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia,, PA 215.637.7676 • www.NazarethAcademyhs.org
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G LOBAL S CH OOL • LOCAL R OOTS
Congratulations to the Class of 2019 Best wishes to the graduating class as they use their talents to light the world! 2018-2019 H IG H LIG HTS
• Robert F. Kennedy Speak Truth to Power Grand Prize Winner at Tribeca Film Festival
• National Math Madness Top 20 Team • Number One Robot in North America at Fire Fighting Competition
• Eight Gold Key Scholastic • Top Ranked Chemistry Art and Writing Awards Olympiad and Math Student in the Nation • Student Wins PAISSA State Title in the 400 • Student Work in National Meter Dash Exhibition for Ceramics
• New AI Independent Study Course Introduced • Seven Major Performing Arts Productions
L E A R N M O R E AT : W W W. G E O R G E S C H O O L . O R G
A Top Ranked Christian Educatio E n is More Affordable Than Yo You Think…
We Honor God with Exceelllence We VARIABLE TUITION PROGRAM We match your tuition rate to your family’’ss unique financial profile
We Honor God d with Excellence
Plumstead Christian School was recognized again this ye year as one off the best privat ate schools in the t BucksMont region fo for its strong academics, excellent co--curricular programs,, and service opportunities at home andd abroad. The school was also recognized as hav aving the best presschool programs.
Contact C t t Admission Ad i i s at at 215-766215 766 8073 or Admissions Ad i i @pcspa.org to schedule a tour off our Lowerr School (Preschool-5th Grade) or our Middle and Up Uppeer School (Grades 6-12)
Excellence like this comes fr from well-exe w cuutted planning, a strong commitment to the highestt standards, and the passionate dedication off mission-minded fa faculty c and stafff..
Lower School (preschool-5th grade) 753 New Galena Rd., Chalfont, PA 18914
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Middle & Upper School (6th-12th grade) 5765 Old Easton Rd., Plumsteadville, PA 18949
B U C K S C O U NTY M A G . C O M
PCS is currently accepting applica a a ations. For more inffoormation and to learn about ut our variable tuuition, please call our admissions office at a 215-766-8073 or visit us at at www w..pcspa.org.
A GUIDE TO EDUCATION
George School
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global school with local roots, George School is a Quakerr, co-ed b boarding and day high school in Newtown, PA. Convenient to New York City and Philadelphia, the school is located on a picturesque 240-acre campus of open lawns and beautiful woods. George School is an experienced leader in education, offering the Internatiional Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program and boasting a diploma success ratee of 100 percent in recent years, and offering nearly 20 Advanced Placement courrses. Students are immersed in learning across science, technology y, engineerring, the arts, and mathematics in a rigorous yet personalized curriculum. Students participate in 25 different team sports and take physical wellness classes in state-of-the-art facilities. George School’’s three-season equestrian proggram combines athleticism and horsemanship for novice and advanced rideers. George School graduates attend the most selective colleges and universitiees worldwide, and become confident and capable leaders rooted in selfawaareness, self-sufficiencyy, and the ability to listen deeply to others.
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16 690 Newtown Langhorne Rd., Newtown, PA 18940 215.579.6547 • www w.georgeschool.org
Our 2019 Guide to Education offers our readers valuable information on selection and choice for their children or themselves.
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