Bortondale

What is it about Holy Family Regional Catholic School that draws you in? It is a feeling - a palpable sense of love, trust, and genuine caring.A little over eleven years ago, my wife and I made the decision to transfer our son to Holy Family, guided by the glowing feedback of neighbors and friends. Making that change came with the natural anxieties any parent feels, especially as the school was simultaneously navigating a transition in leadership. Yet, the faculty and staff made that transition seamless. They didn't just teach our children; they welcomed our family.As we now enter our final year at Holy Family, closing this decade-long chapter, the bittersweet nature of our departure is setting in. We are preparing to move on to the challenges of high school—naturally accompanied by new fears—but we do so with the confidence instilled by the foundation built here. The willingness of the staff to go above and beyond has been a constant, steadying force in our sons' lives.This impact is not just our own experience; it is a trend. You can see it in the number of graduates who continue to return to these halls, visiting their "home" and the site of their most cherished childhood memories. It is, quite simply, a safe place.Over our ten plus years, we have seen three transitions in the principal’s office. I can say with certainty that the current leadership is the most impactful we have witnessed. Mr. Elia has shown, through both word and action, a profound care, love, and respect for every student and staff member in the building. He is a leader who truly dedicates himself to the safety and well-being of the children, while ensuring that teachers feel heard, valued, and respected. In an era where professional environments can feel transactional, Mr. Elia embodies the idea that nothing is more valuable than mutual respect, a philosophy clearly reflected in his policies and daily interactions.We came to Holy Family looking for an education rooted in faith, and we have received that in abundance. As we cherish this final year at Holy Family, we do so with deep gratitude. To Mr. Elia and the entire faculty and staff: thank you for being the heart of this community. You haven't just educated our boys; you have helped shape who they are.

As a parent of two children currently attending preschool and kindergarten at Media Providence Friends School, I couldn’t be happier with our experience. From the very beginning, the small class sizes have made such a meaningful difference by allowing the teachers to truly know and nurture each child as an individual.The Quaker values are beautifully woven into the school culture, creating a peaceful, respectful, and inclusive environment. I also love how much parents are encouraged to be involved, whether it’s joining Meeting for Worship on Wednesdays, serving as a guest reader, or participating in special events and classroom activities throughout the year. It really feels like a community.The teachers are incredible. They are gentle in their guidance, creative in their teaching, and deeply attentive to each child’s needs. The communication I receive about my children’s days is thoughtful and detailed, often including sweet photos and stories that show what and how they’re learning.What stands out most to me is that my children are not only learning *what* to learn but *how* to learn in ways that suit their unique styles. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate, yet still challenging in creative, artistic, and engaging ways. Most importantly, my kids genuinely look forward to going to school each day and see learning as something joyful.Media Providence Friends School has truly been a gift to our family.

This is a school that truly knows each and every child who attends. Faculty are deeply committed to the mission of the school and provide a nurturing and challenging school experience for students. Beautiful campus with opportunities for outdoor play every day. Thoughtful parent community at all grade levels. Our kids developed a love of reading from a young age and still cherish their years at the School in Rose Valley.

We enrolled our child at this preschool from ages 3.5–5 and ultimately found that it was not the right fit for our family.There were positive aspects to the program. The curriculum included thoughtful topics such as human rights and environmentalism, and there were many engaging hands-on activities including cooking, crafts, gardening, and learning about life cycles through projects with caterpillars and ladybugs. There were teachers who clearly cared about the children and worked hard to create meaningful learning experiences.However, we found the school to be far more rigid than it initially presented itself. While the administration and teachers frequently spoke about partnership and collaboration with families, our experience was that there was limited follow-through when concerns were raised. Conversations often felt focused on explaining why supports, accommodations, or adjustments could not be made rather than exploring solutions together.We also felt that our child was too often discussed primarily in terms of challenges rather than strengths. Concerns about behavior were raised frequently, sometimes in our child’s presence, which we found inappropriate and discouraging. Over time, it felt as though our child was viewed as a problem to be managed rather than a child to be understood and supported.Our impression was that the teachers were stretched thin and the school appeared understaffed, which may have contributed to the lack of flexibility we experienced. We did not feel that staff were equipped to effectively support common, non-harmful childhood behavioral challenges or children who needed additional guidance, movement, connection, or individualized support.Even with an IEP in place and specific strategies provided, we did not feel the school was willing or able to meaningfully adapt to our child’s needs. Parents looking for a play-based preschool experience should also know that open-ended play is not a major focus of the program. The emphasis is primarily on independent work and structured activities.This school may be a good fit for children who naturally thrive in a highly structured Montessori environment, enjoy independent work, and easily conform to classroom expectations. Ultimately, while there were aspects of the program we appreciated, the negatives outweighed the positives for our family.