Boarding School for Boys in Philadelphia PA area

The Phelps School, Malvern, Pennsylvania - Philadelphia Area:
The Phelps School is a private, nonsectarian boarding and day school for boys in grades six through 12. The School inhabits a beautiful 70-acre wooded campus in Pennsylvania’s historic Chester County, 25 miles outside of downtown Philadelphia. With approximately 100 students and an average class size of seven, The Phelps School offers the ideal setting for boys who thrive in a small, nurturing and structured environment. The learning experience is personalized for each student, with offerings ranging from college-level Advanced Placement courses for academically gifted students to a comprehensive Academic Support Program for students with learning differences. Beyond rigorous academics, students will find a robust athletics program, numerous extracurricular activities, and a strong support system comprising deeply caring faculty and peers. The Phelps School empowers each student to reach his highest potential, and is committed to preparing young men for college and for life.

Founded in 1946 by Dr. Norman T. Phelps, The Phelps School remains rich in history and tradition. True to our original credo of “Dedication to the Individual Boy,” we are committed to providing a highly personalized educational experience that empowers each student to reach his fullest potential academically, individually and socially.

As an all-boys school, we understand young men and their needs. Our small size provides every student with countless opportunities to excel and flourish in academics, athletics and leadership. Here, everyone is a big fish in a small pond. Our campus inhabits 70 acres of picturesque countryside in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Historic buildings housing classrooms, dormitories and the dining hall, as well as indoor and outdoor playing fields, are all within easy walking distance of one another, and encapsulated in a safe and private setting. While situated in the quiet, rural suburbs of Chester County, The Phelps School is located only 20 miles outside of Philadelphia, and just two hours from New York City and Washington, DC.

Our academic offerings range from college-level Advanced Placement courses for academically gifted students, to a comprehensive Academic Support Program (ASP) for students with learning differences, to a robust English as a Second Language (ESL) Program that meets the needs of our very diverse student population. Beyond rigorous academics, students will find a competitive athletics program, numerous extracurricular activities, and a strong support system composed of deeply caring faculty and peers.

The rigorous academic curriculum at The Phelps School features a multitude of courses within the subject areas of English, mathematics, science and social sciences, as well as a wide range of non-core courses such as culinary arts, ethics, information technology, public speaking and personal finance. Offerings include 14 Advanced Placement courses, honors classes and opportunities for independent study. Each student’s educational program is tailored specifically for him based on ability, needs, interests and style of learning.

For boys with learning differences or other challenges that affect their ability to reach their highest potential, The Phelps School has a robust Academic Support Program (ASP) focusing on four key areas—English, reading and writing, mathematics, and organizational and study skills, complemented by support across the student’s regular curriculum.

The program was established here more than 40 years ago, making us a true pioneer in the development of supplemental programs for boys with learning differences. Approximately 15 percent of Phelps students require this targeted assistance. With a maximum ASP class size of four students, and additional tutoring or support provided by our faculty, every student receives the personalized attention he needs to succeed.

Boys are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas without intimidation, and will find an unconditionally supportive environment among their peers. Older boys model behavior for those younger, serving as mentors and sharing advice. Friendships form easily between distinctly different individuals, as the peer pressure and judgment that typically exist elsewhere fall away at Phelps.

The small size of our campus and our classrooms means that we have more opportunity to interact with every student. We know each student, his schedule and what sport he plays. It is a safe place where a boy is not afraid to try something new, because he knows that everyone is in his corner. Opportunities abound to excel in academics, athletics and activities—opportunities that would not be afforded in a larger school.

On a more formal basis, our Student Support Team (SST), meets with any student who is demonstrating a noticeable change in behavior, poor academic performance, residential living issues or social struggles. An action plan is devised for any student in need, and supported by every member of the staff and faculty who comes into contact with that student.

Boarding students at Phelps enjoy a relaxed and comfortable residential life in one of seven dormitories located on campus. Members of our staff and faculty serve as live-in house parents, with older students assisting as proctors. Our structured daytime schedule remains intact in the evenings, including assigned study periods monitored by teachers.

Throughout the dorms and across campus, it is easy to sense the strong family atmosphere inherent at The Phelps School. Meaningful connections occur easily between students, staff and faculty—many of whom enjoy meals together in the dining hall or live just down the hall from one another. Deep friendships and a sense of brotherhood come just as easily.

On weekends, students can venture offcampus to enjoy local entertainment, attend social events with neighboring girls’ schools, or visit the countless attractions spanning the Philadelphia region. There is never a shortage of extracurricular activities, both on and offcampus, to keep boys busy and engaged.

Planning for college is an exciting endeavor, but for any student, it can also appear daunting and complicated. At The Phelps School, we help students to manage the process every step of the way.

Our students begin planning for college in the ninth grade. Over the next four years, they participate in profile development, skills and interests inventories, and SAT study. They attend college fairs, visit college campuses for tours and sporting events, and investigate numerous academic and career options. Each student receives expert guidance to ensure he is identifying colleges and universities that will best fit his talents and needs. Additionally, careful oversight is provided throughout the essay writing and application submission processes.

Over the course of planning, our Headmaster, the Director of the Academic Support Program (ASP), and the Director of College Counseling are available for casual conversation or in-depth discussion. We also strongly encourage the ongoing participation of our students’ parents throughout the process.

The Phelps School boasts a robust competitive sports program with teams fielded at both the junior varsity and varsity levels. The majority of our students participate in at least one competitive sport—learning leadership skills and the value of teamwork in achieving common goals. Because we are a small school, we offer big opportunities for students to shine athletically. A number of our student-athletes continue on to play sports in college, some receiving athletic scholarships.

Competitive Teams:  Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis and Wrestling

Athletic Facilities: Outdoor: baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields; tennis courts; cross country course Indoor: fully-equipped fitness center; state-of-the-art turf facility; basketball and volleyball courts

At The Phelps School, we take a holistic approach to the educational experience, fostering the growth of intellectual knowledge, social awareness, work ethic and commitment to service. We encourage students to take on new challenges and reach beyond their comfort zones—all within a safe and supportive environment.

We have a thorough, campus-wide understanding of each student through academics, activities and residential life. Simply put, we know our students better. And the personal attention they receive in every facet of their lives has a profound influence. Our students know that we have high  expectations of them, and we adhere to those expectations unfailingly. In turn, the young men at The Phelps School rise to meet or exceed those expectations to achieve their personal best every time. We inspire students to reach their full potential, and to understand and appreciate the world around them. We prepare students for college and for life.

Contact us to learn more about what makes education at The Phelps School so unique.