The Woods Academy

Our son attended public school through 6th grade, starting at Bradley Hills Elementary and then Pyle Middle School (virtually), so we may have a slightly different perspective. Both public schools are well regarded; however, during Covid we decided to explore options for 7th grade and discovered St. Jane de Chantal, which is more financially viable than other options and offers a smaller, more familial environment. Initially, we worried about our son adapting to a new school that starts in pre-K, but we were grateful for the warm welcome from the students and community.Of note, Pyle, Montgomery County's largest middle school, offers a wider range of programs, including extracurricular activities and IEPs. However, we felt St. Jane’s intimate setting allowed for more personalized attention from teachers. They also have a relatively robust selection of activities and sports; our son enjoyed the ski club, playing baseball, and CYO basketball (two championships).We were very impressed by the school's support as the students transitioned to high school. The teachers work hard creating a personalized packet for each student to help with high school admissions. Further, Principal Hamilton is a vocal and direct advocate for the students (a fact we learned later from two different high school admissions reps).Our son loved his time at St. Jane and we appreciated its supportive community and the balance it strikes in offering a comprehensive education while maintaining a shield against external chaos of a large public school. Our only real regret is that we didn't send him sooner.

My child left this school last year. I was deeply alarmed by what became clear when she was enrolled at a new school. Her reading comprehension was abysmal, as was her spelling level for her age. And as for french, she knew basics but nothing beyond that! French relatives and online programming have taught them more. They also don't inform me of any issues with spelling or reading, even though I can see it in previous work. I should have paid more attention. That's my responsibility. But there's absolutely no excuse for this. Additionally, they weren't proactive in resolving bullying and gendered harassment our child experienced, and didn't stay the course in creating healthier emotional development. Don't invest in this school. If multi cultural, bilingual learning is important to you, or actually necessary, please seek other resources in Philadelphia, or the surrounding areas. Find french tutoring. Enroll them in local programs. I'm speaking from my heart, from my family experience, and I wish you and your family the best in making these very difficult decisions.