Let's Play: The Wyndmoor Playground

As a parent, the search for great playgrounds never ends.  There does not seem to be one "perfect" playground out there.  Some have great shade, but no baby swings.  Others have huge sand boxes, but no play structures for toddlers.

  

And even if you do have all the luck and have found the playground that is just right for your kids, you still need to mix it up occasionally.  We all know how bored children can get with the same old place and even we need a change of scene from time to time.

So if you need a playground to add to your emergency list, we have a great one for you that many of you may not know about yet.  If you follow Willow Grove Avenue out of Chestnut Hill and cross over Stenton Avenue, you will be in the beautiful neighborhood of Wyndmoor.  And amidst these wonderful old houses, tucked back behind a medical building, (just a few blocks outside Chestnut Hill) you will find a play ground that is very near "perfect."

The Wyndmoor playground has just about everything you could be looking for:  baby and big kid swings, a large sand pit with a few separate sand boxes filled with toys, a fun play structure with slides, a large field for running and playing ball, benches for tired parents, a picnic table, water fountain, lots of shade, and even a small wooden play house.

And your kids will love being greeted by the elephant statue that kneels in the sandbox at the middle of the park.  Be ready with your cameras for an elephant-riding picture! 

The playground does not have a fence surrounding it, but this is not usually an issue since the park is so large and is bordered on two sides by trees and bushes.  There are also two areas on the top of the climbing structure that are not blocked off, so be ware with small ones.  The playground is lacking a climber for toddlers, but little ones will love the sand and toys!

If you're driving, there is a parking lot at the side of the playground, behind the medical buildings.

The playground is located on East Hartwell Lane, between Ardmore and Flourtown Avenues.

GAP News: Check Out These New Features!

We are constantly updating and adding to GAP in order to keep you informed!  Here are some new perks of the site:

Your Turn

We love writing on GAP to keep you up-to-date on everything parent and kid-related in our area, but we don't want to get stuck doing all the writing!  We want you, our readers, to get involved.

We will now have a "Your Turn" prompt on the right of our site for you to respond to. You can email all your thoughts/ideas on the topic to us and we will choose one entry to publish on our site each month.  We know there is a lot of information in those parent brains of yours, so share!  And let's get some friendly discussion going on!

Weekend Sales Section

Are you a yard sale addict, but loathe having to search papers and various websites for the listings in our area?  Well, fear not.  We are going to be doing the work for you from now on.

So, stroll on over to the right sidebar and you will find this new little gem under our categories. Click on each link to learn more details, such as times and addresses.

Happy shopping!

New Poll

We have closed our "going back to school" poll.  Most of you were "ready to party" after sending your kids off, by the way!  As was I.  :)

October is right around the corner, believe it or not!  So, our new poll asks the age-old October question:  What will your child(ren) be for Halloween this year?  Actually, more specifically, where are you planning on getting that costume?  Are you going to pull a Martha Stewart and make one?   (I wouldn't be that cruel to my kid, because I am not anywhere near Martha Stewart).  Is your little one going to get stuck with a hand-me-down?  (Sometimes the wisest choice).

We want to know, so scroll on down to the bottom of our right sidebar and take our new poll!

Fieldtrip: Adventure Aquarium

I learned today that Adventure Aquarium in neighboring Camden, NJ is only one of two aquariums in the country to exhibit a Great Hammerhead Shark. My four-year-old was disappointed that it was not included in the numerous Touch Experiences where you can actually reach in and (with two fingers) get your hands on things like jellyfish, stingrays, and small non-human-eating sharks. Instead, the Hammerhead is currently acclimating to the 760,000 gallon Ocean Realm exhibit.

If you haven't yet explored the Camden aquarium, I highly recommend it. Filled with tanks both large and small, tons of interactive exhibits, Buttons and Genny (the two massive hippos), and the famous Shark Tunnel, this destination is one for kids (and grown ups) of all ages.

Admission is a little steep at $18.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids 2-12, but it is easy to spend hours there. If you are going to visit more than a few times a year, it makes sense to buy an Annual Passport. Or you can do what our family does: We have the Family Deluxe membership at the Philadelphia Zoo and have friends that have the Family Explorer membership at the Aquarium. Each membership allows extra guests in for free. We trade off 'hosting' fieldtrips: going to the zoo and the aquarium together every couple months, alternating using our membership and getting in as the free guests. A great way to save money and have a fun morning out with friends.

At Adventure Aquarium, parking is currently $9, whether you have a membership or not. And don't forget the toll on the Ben Franklin Bridge, which I realized today has gone up to $4!

The aquarium is open from 9:30am - 5:00 pm, 365 days a year.

Schools: Private School Fall Open Houses

The time is upon us.  You may have seen the signs going up in neighbors' yards and on the sides of the avenue.  The fall open houses for local private schools are coming!

So, if your child will be attending Kindergarten beginning in 2009, and if you have not already made the big decision and want to check out private schools, below are the dates you need to make note of on your calendars.

These open houses are one of the best ways to get to know a school and to get a feel for if a particular one is the right fit for your child.  You will have the opportunity to tour the campuses and classrooms, speak with teachers, administrators, current parents and students, and even alumni. You will be able to ask your burning questions and discuss any concerns you have in a open format.  

Reading statistics on websites and talking to friends is a good jumping-off point, but nothing compares to a personal visit to the schools you are considering.  You will be surprised at how your opinion of a school may change after attending such an event.

Make sure to RSVP if you plan to attend an open house.  There is sometimes limited space, so let the schools know early that you intend to come.  You can find out who to contact by clicking on a school's link below.

I will personally be attending as many of the open houses listed as possible, so if you are unable to attend, be on the look-out for my reactions.  

Chestnut Hill Academy and Springside School (combined):

Thurs. Oct. 23rd, 7:00-9:00pm

Sun. Nov. 9th, 2:00-5:00pm

Germantown Friends School:  

Sat. Oct 4th, 1:00-3:00pm

Tues. Nov. 11th, 8:15-11:00am

Greene Street Friends School:  

Thurs. Sept. 25th, 8:45-10:30am

Sat. Oct. 4th, 1:00-3:00pm

The Miquon School:  

Thurs. Oct. 16th, 7:00-8:30pm (Information Evening for Prospective Parents)

Thurs. Nov. 13th, 9:00-11:00am

Sat. Dec. 6th, 9:30-11:30am

Norwood Fontbonne Academy:  

Wed. Oct. 22nd, 7:00pm

Oak Lane Day School:  

Sun. Oct. 26th, 2:00-4:00pm

Thurs. Nov. 13th, 9:00-10:30am

Our Mother of Consolation:  

Wed. Oct. 22nd, 12:00-2:00pm

Plymouth Meeting Friends School:  

Thurs. Oct. 2nd, 9:30-11:30am

Sat. Nov. 8th, 2:00-4:00pm

The Waldorf School of Philadelphia:  

Thurs. Oct. 16th, 8:30-10:30am (Adults only observation)

Sat. Oct. 25th, 10:00am-12:00pm

William Penn Charter School:  

Sat. Oct. 18th, 2:00pm

Tues. Nov. 11th, 8:30am

Let's Read: The Big Blue Marble Bookstore

Are you tired of the same old big, chain bookstore?  Then it's time for a visit to The Big Blue Marble Book Store in Mt. Airy.

This is a wonderfully quaint little shop right next to the Weaver's Way Co-op.  There is only on-street parking and it does sometimes get crowded in this area, so walking might be nice if you're close by.

 

The children's section is small, but fabulous, set down from the rest of the shop with plenty of toys for kids to play with and a kid-sized table to accommodate little readers.  They have a great selection of books and other products, such as "Knuffle Bunny" shirts for kids.  The staff is also very friendly and knowledgeable about the books they carry.

The Big Blue Marble specializes in "progressive and multicultural titles of interest to Philadelphians in general and Mt. Airy-ites in particular: children’s books; woman-centered pregnancy and parenting; sustainable living; lesbian/gay, African-American, and Jewish studies; feminist science fiction; literary graphic novels; and smart, fun fiction."

After perusing through the titles downstairs, take a minute to wander up to the second-floor book section that borders a full cafe serving coffees, teas, and desserts.  The kids will be entertained by the colorful foam seating on the floor for them to lounge on or run around in circles on, as my son did.  Or, they can cook up a meal for you at the adorable wooden toy kitchen.

If the weather is nice, follow the back door out to a private deck with seating to enjoy your book and coffee or tea.  There is just enough room for the little ones to roam around happily, but safely, as well.

The story time on Thursday has been small lately, but the story teller is engaging, fun, and very understanding of distracted children.  She is flexible and happy to read a book pulled off a shelf by a child.  She obviously knows children's books well and reads them like a true story teller.  

If you have you have a bigger kid at home, he or she can go to the Big Blue Marble on the fourth Thursday of the month for the Big Blue YA Book Discussion.

Baby Group: Tuesdays at 10:00am -- An informal gathering of babies (and parents) playing, reading, and hanging out.

Story Time: Thursdays at 11:00am

Open Mon- Wed 10-7, Thurs 10-8, Fri 10-9

New Weekend Hours:  Open Sat. and Sun. 10-5

Located at 551 Carpenter Lane Philadelphia, PA 19119 

215.844.1870
map

Let's Play: Lutheran Seminary Playground - The Best Kept Secret in Mt. Airy

Down a driveway off of Gowen, half a block from Germantown Ave., in the middle of the grounds of the Lutheran Seminary, you can find the quietest, best contained toddler playground around.

Fenced in, with both baby swings and big kid swings, a sandbox with toys, a playhouse, a climber, and some small ride on cars, this is the best playground I've found for sitting on a bench while your toddler or young pre-schooler explores.

There is also a nice, large and shaded grassy area outside the fence that is great for before or after-playground picnics.

Don't be discouraged if you get there and the gate is locked. This seems to happen much more often during winter on colder or not-quite-rainy overcast days.

If you head down the walkway along the parking lot and away from Gowen to the glass fronted building, you can find a security guard inside who will open the playground for you. There are also bathrooms inside in case you can't make it home and water fountains for thirsty little ones.

The Early Childhood Resource Room at NIM

Did you know that we have an Early Childhood Resource center in Mt. Airy?

The Neighborhood Interfaith Movement at 7047 Germantown Ave. houses the Early Childhood Resource Room, open Thursdays and Fridays from 11am-5pm. I had heard that they had a toy lending library but was excited to find that they are so much more! The resource room provides resources for anyone involved with kids 0-8 years old, i.e. teachers of young children, family child care providers, families and caregivers who home school or who have young children and early intervention practitioners.

With Teaching Theme kits for literacy, math, science, social studies, art, music, gross motor, and dramatic play, you've got a lesson (or at least some distraction for the kids) right there all ready for you.

My daughter was immediately enamored with the fairytale buckets - large rubbermaid bins with titles like Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and more. Each bin has the story, dress up clothes, and props for play!

They've got shelf after shelf of literacy back packs. Each pack includes one or more books of one theme (trucks, Caps for Sale, Fall, planting a garden, etc.) and some corresponding manipulatives, toys, and activities. My 2-year-old picked out the Truck themed pack to take with him while we watched his sister's swimming lesson! I will definitely make a special trip here next time we go on a car trip. They've also got a great selection of picture books with tapes and CDs.

Membership is only $10 for a year ($15 for organizations such as pre-schools or daycare centers) and with that you can check out up to 6 items at a time for up to 4 weeks. They've also got tons of resource books and videos. For a (very) small fee, they also have a laminator, a die-cut machine, an art waxer, and a book binder for your use.

I highly recommend checking this out! And passing on the info to any pre-schools, daycares, or homeschoolers you may know.

Schools: The Big Preschool List

Julia has shared with you how early the search for a preschool for your child needs to begin. So, if it's that time for you, here is a list of the preschools in the area with the best reputations. If you think we've overlooked any, please let us know by commenting below!

Although many of the schools in this first list are housed inside church buildings, only two of them are associated with the churches/a particular religion: Zion Lutheran and the Germantown Jewish Centre.

The Big Back Yard Nursery School (Cooperative)
The Cooperative Nursery School at the Unitarian Society of Germantown (Cooperative)
Preschool at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church
Preschool Plus
The Preschool Program at the Germantown Jewish Centre
Summit Children's Program
Wyndmoor Montessori School
Zion Lutheran Preschool
Project Play School

Private Schools that have On-site Preschools (Many of these are affiliated with a religion):

Chestnut Hill Academy (All boys school)

Germantown Friends School
Greene Street Friends School
The Miquon School (Progressive Education)
Norwood Fontbonne Academy (Catholic, Montessori)
Oak Lane Day School
Our Mother of Consolation (Catholic)
Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Springside School (All girls school)
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia
William Penn Charter School

Get Outside: The Wissahickon Environmental Center

Yesterday we ventured up Germantown Ave. to the Andorra Natural Area. Parking on Northwestern Ave., we first stopped to check out the horses at Northwestern Stables. On a Sunday afternoon, the kids were excited to be able to see people riding and jumping in both outside and inside rings, as well as hanging out on the grass near the stables where we could stop and see the horses up close.

From there we meandered down a trail along the creek that brought us onto Forbidden Drive. Lots of folks out riding bikes, running, walking dogs, and exploring. We headed west off the main trail into the Andorra Natural Area, a 210-acre preserve within Fairmount Park with about 5 miles of hiking trails. We started following the signs for the Tree House, having seen it on a map but not knowing where we would end up, and were surprised not to find an old rustic structure (my husband was hoping for Swiss Family Robinson) but a 100 year old house (that used to have a tree growing through it) that is the Wissahickon Environmental Center!

It was closed, but had bulletin boards on the porch with fliers for some really great outdoor programming. Things like 'Woodsy Moms' - a weekly gathering of parents with kids under 2 who strap their infants and toddlers on and go for a 45 minute hike and the 'Treehouse Tots' class for 3-5 year olds. In addition, they have lots of programming for homeschoolers and school groups.

Their Fairmount Park website is a bit out of date, but you can reach the center directly at 215-685-9285. They also have an Open House the first Saturday of every month from 10-4. Definitely worth checking out!

Schools: It's Never Too Early To Start Thinking About Preschool

When we started preparing for our move from Minneapolis to Mt. Airy about a year ago, I started searching online and making phone calls to find a preschool for our then 3-year-old in hopes that she could slide in somewhere in November to give her some structure and social interaction and help ease the transition to a new city.

I think one preschool staff person actually laughed at me over the phone. 'You want to get her in this year??'

I could get her into daycare, but I was looking for a more traditional two to three mornings a week for enrichment. Evidently, I was a YEAR behind the curve.

I post this now because last night I spoke to the admissions coordinator of the preschool our daughter is starting next week. I told her I was going to give her the paperwork for my son who will be entering in the Fall of 2009. She said that even though she does not officially begin accepting applications until Monday, she already has a handful waiting to be processed!

We had our application in for this fall last September and still ended up on the waiting list, the fourth for three spots. Luckily, there was a lot of movement (as there always seems to be with these 'waiting lists') and we had a spot a couple weeks after the initial letters went out.

If you are looking at sending your child to one of the local preschools next year, I encourage you to contact the schools as soon as possible. The statements from some schools stating that their applications are due by January or February can be a bit deceptive since spots are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis (with preference given to younger siblings and taking race and gender into consideration as needed to maintain diversity within the classroom). While the admissions coordinators don't start accepting kids until Spring, sometimes they already have more applicants than spots by December!

Generally, traditional pre-school begins when children are 3, with some schools taking kids as young as 2 1/2 and some private school Pre-Ks not taking children until they are 4. Each school has their own guidelines, as well as their own philosophy, curriculum, admissions process, and culture. I highly recommend looking around, visiting a couple, and finding the one that fits you, your child, and your family the best.

Good Luck!

Fly Me to the Moon

Fly Me to the Moon is the first ever animated movie created for 3D and is in theatres now!

This movie is rated "G" and is great for little ones, with no violence to speak of or truly "scary" sections. There is one "bad guy," only featured for a short time near the end of the film, and even he is not too frightening. (I went to the movie this weekend with my three-year-old and he loved it.)

The film follows three young flies who long for adventure and therefor decide to stow away on a rocket ship headed for the moon.

Fly Me to the Moon is not one of those animated films that is written well for adults also, so don't expect to be enthralled, but your kids will love it. Older ones might get a bit bored, but the 3D aspect will probably keep any one's eyes glued to the screen.

If your kids will agree to wearing the 3D glasses (my three-year-old fought me on this for a while), it really will blow their minds. Every scene is beautiful and you really do feel as if you are walking through the tall grass with these fly friends and exploring the moon by their sides. And there are some scenes when characters will seem to fly right up to you. But, remember that if your kids won't wear the glasses, the picture will appear blurry and bland.

Be prepared to pay extra for this film! Each ticket is an additional $3 each for the 3D experience. (The glasses they give movie-goers are of a nice quality.)

Fly Me to the Moon is now playing at:

AMC Theatres Plymouth Meeting 12
500 Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting Mall
Plymouth Meeting, PA19462
Showings at: 2:20pm, 4:20pm. 7:05 pm, and 9:30pm
The film is 90 minutes long.

Let's Play: Rainy Day Solutions

It's great to get outside during the Summer, but we know not every day is ideal for outdoor fun. Some days are just too hot, especially if you don't have a pool to escape too, and some days are just plain rainy. So, what do you do when the kids start going stir crazy and you're ready to pull your hair out? Get out and try our favorite indoor fun choices:

The Little Treehouse Play Cafe $
8524 Germantown Avenue
Chestnut Hill, PA 19118
Open 8:30am-7:00pm Mon through Fri
215.247.3637
map
Price: $7.50 per child, 1/2 price for each additional child



The Little Treehouse is a wonderful indoor play space with plenty of engaging toys for children to play with, such as a play kitchen, row boat see-saw, doll house, dress up silks, books, blocks, trains, and much more. We also love that the toys are all made of natural materials such as wood and that they clean with only natural cleaning products. And if your child won't leave without one of the toys, you can buy it from the selection on the back wall.

This is a perfect stop for crawlers, especially. The floor is made of foam, so there is no worry about hard falls. And the biggest play structure in the room is still small enough for a baby to enjoy. If you need to nurse, pull up a big, comfy pillow on the floor.

There is a bathroom with changing table, and tables and chairs for eating, reading, etc. You can drink filtered water or hot tea at no cost or pay for a cup of coffee or bottled water or juice. For now, you can bring your own food; in the near future, they will have a snack bar to purchase from, so outside snacks will be prohibited.

Meet other moms and let your children make new friends. This is a close knit community and a nice break from being home with the same old toys.

Once you pay, you can come back any time that day. Or, you can purchase a 10-visit card for $55. Story hours and art lessons are scheduled for an additional cost. The Little Treehouse also hosts parties.





Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
33rd and Oxford Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday year round
215.765.4325
map
Price: Donation only.

Besides having a great outdoor play ground, Smith Memorial Playhouse is a great in door space to go. They have three floors of fun for all. The floor at the entrance has a full sized wooden train for your little ones to "ride" on, a reading corner with books and a rocking chair, tumbling blocks, a kid-sized wooden house. Head upstairs for even more toys, such as dinosaurs, a furnished doll house, baby toys, and cars. And, finally, visit the basement for a ride on a tricycle or in a car around the city streets, complete with parking meters, a gas station, flashing traffic lights, and traffic signs.
There is no air conditioning, so it can get very hot in the Summer, but it's a great place to go to get out of the cold or rain. Also, they do not allow food or drink inside the play house. So, come with full tummies and plan to run outside if you or your little one gets thirsty.



Please Touch Museum $
210 N. 21^st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Open Sunday-Thursday, 9 am–4:30 pm
Friday-Saturday, 9 am–5 pm
215.963.0667
map
Children and Adults: $10.95 Children under the age of One: Free

Kids will be occupied for hours building a house, races boats down a river, having tea with the Mad Hatter, picking vegetables from the garden, and shopping at the grocery store.


It is best to go on week days; the museum can get very busy. You can bring your stroller in, but you will have to take it downstairs to leave it when you enter. So, bring a carrier for small ones.



Franklin Institute $
222 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
open 9:30AM - 5:00PM - Sunday through Saturday
Imax Theater open Sunday through Saturday - 10:00am - 6:00pm
Friday and Saturday - 10:00 - 9:00pm
215.448.1200
map
Price: Adults $14.25, Children 4 and up $11.50, Children under 4 Free


This museum is a great place to spend a day -- or several days! There is so much to see, it may take you a few trips to make it to everything. Besides amazing traveling exhibits, there are many permanent sections of the museum that your kids will love.
Make sure to ride the real steam engine and visit the KidScience section to let the them play with boats in a river and even climb to the top of a lighthouse.

Your older ones will love seeing a real astronaut's space suit, touching a meteorite, and looking up at the stars in the planetarium.

For an extra cost, you can watch one of their featured films on the amazing IMAX screen.



Plymouth Meeting Mall
500 W. Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
open Monday through Saturday 10am – 9:30pm Sunday 11am – 6pm
610.825.9351
map

Yes, it's a mall. But, more importantly, it is a mall with a beautiful carousel and an enchanting fountain! Just the kind of distractions you need for your little ones. Start out at the food court entrance to eat or enjoy a ride (or 10) on the carousel and then head down to your left to the other end of the mall where you will find a huge, lit fountain.

The carousel is an amazing, two-story structure complete with rocking benches for moms with babies and spinning teacups for your older, adventurous kids. At $2.00 a ride, it's a great deal for the smiles it will put on your kids' faces. We just wish you good luck getting them off of it.

And the light and water show of the fountain will entertain your little ones and give you a break. They love to watch the water slowly rising up,up, almost to the ceiling! And they'll want to make a wish, of course, so bring your pennies!

Schools: Philadelphia School District's Voluntary Transfer Program

While it's nice to think that we have a whole year before our pre-schoolers become Kindergartners, some important decisions need to be made over the next two months if you want to send your child to a public school other than the one whose catchment you fall into.

First of all, what is a catchment? The Philadelphia School District (PSD) is broken into geographic areas from which children are assigned to schools. You could be assigned to a different school than the people across the street from you, or down the block from you. The best way to find out which school is your neighborhood school is to call the PSD at 215-400-4000. Give them your residential address and they will tell you which catchment you are in.

If you would like to send your child to a Philadelphia Public School outside of your catchment, you must complete a Voluntary Transfer Program application. For the 2009-2010 school year, these applications are due between September 15 and October 31, 2008. Applications can be picked up at your local school or downloaded from the PSD website.

On the application, you may list and prioritize up to 5 schools. Admission to any of these schools is not guaranteed. Decisions are made based on a lottery and space available. Parents have reported that it is helpful to submit the Transfer application to your desired school(s) in addition to the School District.

Over the next month, we will highlight the top three elementary schools in Germantown, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill: Charles W. Henry, Henry H. Houston, and John S. Jenks.

Get Outside: Carpenter's Woods

It's hard to believe that the leaves are falling already. There are still 3 weeks of summer, but fall is coming fast. The cooler air, the crunching leaves - what a great time to be outside!

Carpenter's Woods in West Mt. Airy is a great spot to go walking with kids. With dirt and rocky trails, it's much easier to leave the stroller at home. It's a great, safe place to let kids of all ages run. Plenty to explore with stumps, rocks, roots, creek, and wildlife.


Part of Fairmount Park, Carpenter's Woods is located in West Mt. Airy with an entrance at Sedgwick and Sherman. Street parking is plentiful nearby. Just a couple blocks from the Carpenter and Greene business district, stop by Weaver's Way Co-op beforehand for a snack to take along or head over to High Point Cafe afterwards for a treat!

Schools: The Big Private School List

It is that time of year when parents will be touring schools and beginning the long process of choosing the right fit for their child. As you probably know, if your child will be attending Kindergarten next Fall, you will be applying soon if you have not already.

And, if your child will be entering into Kindergarten the following year (in 2010), you need to be beginning the search for the right school now. We know it seems early, but we strongly recommend you get started. You would be surprised by how many choices there are and how early you need to start gathering information.

Most schools recommend that you attend their open houses in the Spring of 2009 if your child will be attending school in the Fall of 2010. So, if that is the case for you, now is the time to at least become familiar with your choices and narrow down your list to those schools you will want to visit in the Spring.

In case you are considering private schools, we are going to help you get started. Below is a list of the most popular private schools in the area and the basic facts about each. Later on, we will post more detailed information on individual schools. Happy hunting!

Friends (Quaker) Schools:

Germantown Friends School
Kindergarten - 12, co-ed
Enrollment: 895
Kindergarten Tuition: $15,060
Greene Street Friends School
Prekindergarten - 8, co-ed
Enrollment: 196
Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Pre-Kindergarten - 6, co-ed
Enrollment: 171
William Penn Charter School
Pre-Kindergarten -12, co-ed
Enrollment: 906


Catholic:

Norwood Fontbonne Academy
(includes a Montessori program)
Pre-kindergarten - 8, co-ed
Enrollment: 539
Kindergarten Tuition: $9,525
Our Mother of Consolation
Pre-kindergarten - 8, co-ed
St. Martin de Porres Interparochial School


Independent:

Chestnut Hill Academy
Pre-kindergarten - 12, all boys school
Enrollment: 570
Kindergarten Tuition: $15,685
The Miquon School
Pre-kindergarten - 6, co-ed, Progressive
Enrollment: 152
Kindergarten Tuition: $13,230
Oak Lane Day School
Pre-kindergarten - 6, co-ed
Enrollment: 70
Kindergarten Tuition: $13,785
Project Learn
Kindergarten - 8, co-ed, cooperative
Enrollment: 100
Kindergarten Tuition: $9,700
Springside School
Pre-kindergarten - 12, all girls school
Enrollment: 670
Kindergarten Tuition: $17,200
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia
Pre-kindergarten - 8, co-ed, Waldorf
Enrollment: 170
Kindergarten Tuition: $9,715