Good catholic elementary school in Philly proper?

[suebeelin]

Any help much appreciated! DH needs to live in Philly proper for a year (walking distance bc of work schedule) starting June 2017.

We have 2 kids - one will be in 2nd grade and the other in prek4. We cannot afford regular private tuition (20k/child) on his salary as a medical resident but we can do a catholic school at $5k each child. Need help trying to find a school for the kids...

DH will be working at Jefferson hospital. Any help much appreciated!!

 

[Rhie]

Considering that PA Catholic church generally, and Philly particularly, is still under investigation for child abuse and conspiracy to cover up abuse I would rethink a Catholic school in the area. But if you are set on it, definitely ask for proof that they have complied with PAs strict new child worker background checks. After all, that tragedy is exactly WHY PA has those new rules.

 

[suebeelin]

Considering that PA Catholic church generally, and Philly particularly, is still under investigation for child abuse and conspiracy to cover up abuse I would rethink a Catholic school in the area. But if you are set on it, definitely ask for proof that they have complied with PAs strict new child worker background checks. After all, that tragedy is exactly WHY PA has those new rules.

Ugh. The good private schools are $25k/child. On a resident salary plus housing, we cannot swing that.

I also read the good public schools are full by kindergarten even if you live in that area (society hill, queens village). Any advice?

The problem is DH wants kids to live with him but will have crazy hours (IR fellowship). My parents live in Plainsboro, NJ, with a ridiculously top rated school system but DH said no way to us living with my parents an hour away....

He said he will not have us living separate and apart from him, even if it's only a year....

 

[aejammers]

I can't help with specific schools, but I live in the Philly suburbs about an hour north. Look into charter schools in the areas where you might want to live. Some are terrific (and of course some are terrible). I would think since you have a year you could get into the lotteries or waitlists now. Don't wait.

Try this link to see the ratings of the various schools. Start interviewing the schools now to see what would be a good match and to find out what is needed for enrollment.
http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/strategic-analytics/annual-reports/school-progress-reports

Also check these ranking too: https://k12.niche.com/rankings/public-high-schools/best-charter/m/philadelphia-metro-area/

 

[Rhie]

Yea, I can grok that. And I can see that you want to do the best for your kids and family, clearly. I just couldn't not say that without a clear conscience. I live in PA, and wasn't sure if it was national news that Philly diocese is still having problems. And I am sure there are safe schools in a city as big as Philly. I'd just be really, really, REALLY diligent in checking them out. PA does have strict rules now about child care workers, so if they can show compliance that is saying something.

Here's a break down of the regulations. These apply to ALL child care workers, including those at religious institutions, in the whole state. And they are enforced. A friend of mine teaches college, and had one 17 year old student in one class. He had to go through the whole thing. Not that he minded since he's clean as a whistle . Just saying that if they enforce in a situation like that, they will enforce all over:

http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/C_135246.pdf

I confess I don't know much about the public schools around Philly. I know some about the schools around Pittsburgh, but that won't help really. Are there any other parochial schools, like a protestant one in the area? I also saw something about online public schools, if that is an option. And definitely try to look into the public schools, just in case. Is there a way you can live in an area with a decent school system that isn't NJ or with your parents? Some kind of compromise like that?

I really hope you can sort something out, as it sounds like a stressful situation in general.

 

[suebeelin]

Thank you! Will do more digging!

 

[Sugardimples]

I don't know what the tuition is but St. Mary's Interparochial is a very good school in Center City. I think it's at Fifth and Locust.

 

[roseaster]

I'm not sure how much research you have done, but I have to agree with the posts about the Archdiocese. In Philly they are still in a big mess.

When we lived in the city my girls' went to Friends Select. It was ridiculously expensive then, I can't imagine what it is now. We moved to NJ after kindergarten because they were able to attend a a good public school and there was no way we could afford to send all the kids to Friends. Plus we needed more space.

Have you looked into housing? I'm not sure where you are moving in from, but apartments in that area are dear. A 2 bedroom, in a decent building is going to run you about $2500 a month, parking is going to be about $300 a month.

You may want to research being a little farther out of center city on the Septa line, or even in NJ on the PATCO line. I know being on call requires you to be within 30 minutes of the hospital.

 

[Scrappygrrl]

My husband also works at Jefferson. We live across the bridge in Cherry Hill, NJ. I would highly recommend that you look in the nearby suburbs, either PA or NJ. We live walking distance to the train. And excellent school district.
The Phildelphia schools are a mess. And it's nearly impossible up get into a charter.
Let me know if you have any questions. You can PM me.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My husband also works at Jefferson. We live across the bridge in Cherry Hill, NJ. I would highly recommend that you look in the nearby suburbs, either PA or NJ. We live walking distance to the train. And excellent school district.
The Phildelphia schools are a mess. And it's nearly impossible up get into a charter.
Let me know if you have any questions. You can PM me.

I was going to say to look at NJ also. Moorestown has a great school district as well as Cherry Hill.

 

[punkin]

Good private schools do give scholarships.

 

[Scrappygrrl]

I was going to say to look at NJ also. Moorestown has a great school district as well as Cherry Hill.

Look at Haddonfield as well.

 

[suebeelin]

I'm not sure how much research you have done, but I have to agree with the posts about the Archdiocese. In Philly they are still in a big mess.

When we lived in the city my girls' went to Friends Select. It was ridiculously expensive then, I can't imagine what it is now. We moved to NJ after kindergarten because they were able to attend a a good public school and there was no way we could afford to send all the kids to Friends. Plus we needed more space.

Have you looked into housing? I'm not sure where you are moving in from, but apartments in that area are dear. A 2 bedroom, in a decent building is going to run you about $2500 a month, parking is going to be about $300 a month.

You may want to research being a little farther out of center city on the Septa line, or even in NJ on the PATCO line. I know being on call requires you to be within 30 minutes of the hospital.

Do you know anything about catchments and are there guaranteed spots bc you live in a catchment?! We are willing to pay more to live in a catchment with a good school system if we can be guaranteed a spot.

Hubby ideally wants to live within walking distance to hospital. DH worried that he'll be called in often, and cannot rely on public transportation- even if the train takes 15-20min, you still have to get to the train, wait for the train and then walk from the train... And the commute would be 45min door to door by that point. We can budget up to $3k/mo

My husband also works at Jefferson. We live across the bridge in Cherry Hill, NJ. I would highly recommend that you look in the nearby suburbs, either PA or NJ. We live walking distance to the train. And excellent school district.
The Phildelphia schools are a mess. And it's nearly impossible up get into a charter.
Let me know if you have any questions. You can PM me.

I'll pm you thank you for the offer. Is it likewise as difficult to get into a decent public school even if you live in that "catchment"? We are willing to look at queens village, society hill etc for their public school system...

What suburb would you say is the closest and fastest to Jefferson? We want a suburb as a last resort option, but an option we are willing to look into.

Have you ever heard of st Mary's (as mentioned in a post above)?

Good private schools do give scholarships.

I looked into these financial aid options. They require disclosures of ALL assets, including retirement funds. Suffice it to say that I am not draining my retirement funds or their college funds for private 2nd grade... I just want a decent 2nd grade option !!

 

[roseaster]

Do you know anything about catchments and are there guaranteed spots bc you live in a catchment?! We are willing to pay more to live in a catchment with a good school system if we can be guaranteed a spot.

Hubby ideally wants to live within walking distance to hospital. DH worried that he'll be called in often, and cannot rely on public transportation- even if the train takes 15-20min, you still have to get to the train, wait for the train and then walk from the train... And the commute would be 45min door to door by that point. We can budget up to $3k/mo



I'll pm you thank you for the offer. Is it likewise as difficult to get into a decent public school even if you live in that "catchment"? We are willing to look at queens village, society hill etc for their public school system...

What suburb would you say is the closest and fastest to Jefferson? We want a suburb as a last resort option, but an option we are willing to look into.

Have you ever heard of st Mary's (as mentioned in a post above)?



I looked into these financial aid options. They require disclosures of ALL assets, including retirement funds. Suffice it to say that I am not draining my retirement funds or their college funds for private 2nd grade... I just want a decent 2nd grade option !!

Philly is a hit or miss parking situation. There is some on street parking in some areas, but it is a 1st come 1st served type of thing. You might get a spot in front of your building, or your might be blocks off. If the weather is bad count on being blocks off LOL.

Society Hill is INSANELY expensive. Queen Villiage may be a little more affordable, but again, you will need to pay for garaging your car. You may find on street parking, but it isn't reserved and may be far away from your building.

IN NJ I would look at Collingswood, Cherry Hill, or Haddonfield. They are easy commutes to the city via PATCO.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you are able to get a public school spot that you are happy with, remember that the money you save there may give you a bit more to play with in terms of transportation, such as cab fare if he gets called in. If you don't think the 30-minute test is going to happen all that often, you could live on the edge of the commute zone and have him cab it/Uber, etc. when it comes up.

Not in Philly, but we do live in a city with generally awful public schools. When my DD got a lottery spot in the one outstanding magnet elementary school for 1st grade, we felt like we literally hit the Lotto. (I was at work when I got the news, and I was so happy that I kind of yelled into the phone -- everyone in the suite heard it, LOL.) Best of luck finding a good place to live.

PS: Because digging for info like this is my job, I did a few searches for grins and came across this article that links to the Philadelphia schools ratings reports; perhaps it will help. http://www.phillyvoice.com/masterman-ms-central-high-top-philadelphia-school-progress-reports/ According to the report, it appears that there are about a half-dozen elementary catchments that are well-rated, if you can get into one of them that you otherwise like.

 

[King Schultz]

Any help much appreciated! DH needs to live in Philly proper for a year (walking distance bc of work schedule) starting June 2017.

We have 2 kids - one will be in 2nd grade and the other in prek4. We cannot afford regular private tuition (20k/child) on his salary as a medical resident but we can do a catholic school at $5k each child. Need help trying to find a school for the kids...

DH will be working at Jefferson hospital. Any help much appreciated!!

In the Catholic school you're considering, are the teachers Priests, Nuns, or lay people?

 

[jessily]

I'm not familiar with the Catholic schools in the city, but I would highly recommend checking out Collingswood, Haddon Township and Haddonfield (all NJ suburbs on the PATCO train line) if you can't find something in Philly. They all have good public schools. It's a 15 minute train ride into the city from Collingswood and the trains run 24/7. There are some great suburbs on the PA side as well, but I don't find the commute to be nearly as convenient and the trains don't run overnight. Good luck with your search!

 

[DopeyDame]

I went to 15 years of Catholic school in the Philly suburbs. Yes, the diocese for sure has some issues. No, I wouldn't hesitate at all to put my kids in a Catholic school there nor would I fear for their safety. You're going to see mostly lay teachers and a handful of nuns - virtually no priests are involved in the day to day education of kids.

There is a big disctinction you need to understand in Philly Catholic schools, though. There are Archdiocesan schools which are the local parish schools, as a rule. They are run by the archdiocese and have to follow the guidance of Archbishop Chaput (who... well... the words I have for him aren't very Disfriendly.). They prioritize parishioners in admissions, and almost all the students will be attending from the local parish (or a nearby one that doesn't have a catholic school) I know a lot about most of them in the western/Main Line suburbs (Delaware County, Montgomery County) - they are good schools. There are minor differences, but overall you'll get good teachers, a good, traditional curriculum, and a sold community of Catholic families. You won't get ground breaking progressive educational methods or diversity of any sort.

Then there are private Catholic schools. They are run by a congregation - typically of nuns, sometimes of priests. They are Catholic, but don't directly report to the archdiocese and are typically (thought not always) more liberal than the archdiocese schools, and typically (though not always) have stronger/more challenging academics. Kids will come from all over the area to attend. The closest to the city is probably Waldon Mercy Academy. They made some national news last year when they fired their gay director of religious ed, but overall it's a great school with an awesome community. (I think the Pope visit prompted Chaput to put a lot of pressure on the private Catholic schools.) Generally their tuition falls somewhere between typical private schools and parish Catholic schools.

Hope this helps a little. There are SO many Catholic schools in the Philly area that it's hard to just throw out a name or two. If you have any specific questions, I'm happy to help.

ETA: This is a decent listing of the private Catholic schools. It's officially high schools, but a lot of the schools are K-12: https://k12.niche.com/rankings/private-high-schools/best-catholic/m/philadelphia-metro-area/

 

[Scrappygrrl]

I believe if you move into a catchment you are guaranteed but I would check with the school district, or even your realtor. Greenfield and Penn Alexander are your best bets. Greenfield is closer to Jefferson but I'm not sure what you can get in either catchment for your budget.