<p>I am currently looking at schools on the ‘Main Line’ for my high school. I currently live in New York and attend a prestigious private school, but next year my family will be moving to the philadelphia area. Out of the schools above, can you give me some insight into them and which one is the strongest in certain areas? I should probably mentioned that I have toured each school!</p>
<p>Baldwin-
They seem to have the best academics from what I can tell and are very sciency but also have a strong liberal arts program. They are the only school out of the ones that I am looking at that is on the list of the 50 best private schools (which my school is currently on as well). Also, they have a very high ranking for the best prep schools to get admitted into an ivy. </p>
<p>Agnes Irwin-
The students seem more like what I am used to (Upper East Side people, to get a sense) and as unimportant as it may seem I am very impressed that Tory Burch is an alum. However, they do not seem to be as academically focused as Baldwin. </p>
<p>Episcopal Academy-
They seem to have pretty strong academics but maybe not as good as Baldwin. The atmosphere seems to be a lot of old money rich kids (the same as Agnes Irwin) with some ‘average’ people thrown in (I may be very wrong). I know that EA is considered the best athletically, however although I do play some sports I am not really athletic-oriented. If EA has a super cutthroat sports mentality and puts A LOT of emphasis on sports than it may not really be the place for me.</p>
<p>Shipley-
At this point Shipley is kind of a plan B. I don’t like how they don’t have a uniform and most of the students are a bit too hipster-y for me. It was hard to really get a sense of the school, but if anyone has any experience here please tell me!</p>
<p>thanks for reading! please tell me any of your thoughts!</p>
<p>You cannot go wrong with any of these schools and have done a pretty good job of summing them up. You should be very happy to get into any of them.</p>
<p>Agnes Irwin is an all girls school so make sure to consider that factor. </p>
<p>Several good friends of mine went to Episcopal and loved it so I can recommend it highly. Also, the local reputation of Episcopal, at least in my circles, is higher than Baldwin or Shipley (although, again, all are excellent).</p>
<p>It’s a bit off of the Main Line but you might also consider The Hill School. It is a boarding school but day students are common. The facilities and teachers are amazing and it has a tight knit school community.</p>
<p>@Troyus Baldwin is all girls as well, right?? My sense is that episcopal is very much into athletics and a lot of the kids there are the jock type (I could be completely wrong!) which I’m not really looking for. </p>
<p>@jdewey thanks for the recommendation! They have super high stats. The only problem is that I like very traditional schools and I’m assuming that if germantown friends is a quaker school they aren’t very traditional (calling teachers by first names, no uniforms, ect). </p>
<p>yes, GFS may be too progressive in attitude and style for your taste…but if you do go to one of your choice schools you can play them in sports good luck in your pursuit!</p>
Hi, can I ask you for the feeling of germantown friends towards abington? Also, is it true that germantiwn is super competitive and stressful in high school?
My older daughter graduated from Baldwin and absolutely loved it. She is a senior in University now but still considers her Baldwin buddies her closest friends. My younger daughter did not love it as much but still liked it and has fond memories. The make up of your class and synergy is a bit of luck. Younger one eventually went to boarding school. It’s a great education and yes, it’s all girls.
I believe the other schools are very strong too. I think you summarized the schools well. I must admit that Baldwin likes to bill themselves as “the strong science school” but I was never completely blown away by their STEM. It’s good- fine. I would also describe Agnes (the other all girls) as a bit preppier. Episcopal has strong academics but it is a much larger school and probably more sports oriented which lends to a different atmosphere. (not bad; just different) Good luck with your choice!
good luck in your pursuit!</p>