#25 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Valley Day School
Independent school · Grades 2–12
Smaller classes than 78% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Morrisville, PA
A+Overall grade60 students5 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Pennsylvania. Top 50 of 68 schools.
#26 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Main Line Classical Academy
Independent school · Grades K–11
Smaller classes than 89% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr, PA
A+Overall grade85 students4 students per teacher
#27 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
River Valley Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 70% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Upper Black Eddy, PA
A+Overall grade88 students6 students per teacher
#28 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Wyndcroft School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Pottstown, PA
A+Overall grade148 students7 students per teacher
#29 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Pen Ryn School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Fairless Hills
Fairless Hills, PA
A+Overall grade210 students8 students per teacher
#30 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Falk Laboratory School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 23% since 2011–12
Pittsburgh, PA
A+Overall grade432 students7 students per teacher
#31 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 66% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
A+Overall grade173 students6 students per teacher
#32 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Winchester Thurston School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Allison Park
Allison Park, PA
A+Overall grade645 students9 students per teacher
#33 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Kimberton Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 76% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Kimberton, PA
AOverall grade196 students5 students per teacher
#34 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Phelps School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Malvern, PA
AOverall gradeAll boys80 students7 students per teacher
#35 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Perkiomen School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Pennsburg, PA
AOverall grade343 students10 students per teacher
#36 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Ysc Academy
Independent school · Grades 7–12
The only all-boys school in Chester
Chester, PA
AOverall gradeAll boys82 students8 students per teacher
#37 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The School in Rose Valley
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Smaller classes than 62% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Rose Valley, PA
AOverall grade86 students7 students per teacher
#38 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Cai Learning Academy
Independent school · Grades K–5
The only independent school in Allentown
Allentown, PA
A-Overall grade78 students7 students per teacher
#39 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Chesterbrook Academy#15
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
The only independent school in West Chester
West Chester, PA
A-Overall grade106 students9 students per teacher
#40 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Oak Lane Schools
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Smaller classes than 62% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
A-Overall grade71 students7 students per teacher
#41 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Upland Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–9
Smaller classes than 73% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Kennett Square, PA
A-Overall grade140 students5 students per teacher
#42 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Shady Side Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, PA
A-Overall grade1,118 students8 students per teacher
#43 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Learning Center K-8 School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 69% since 2013–14
Meadville, PA
B+Overall grade61 students8 students per teacher
#44 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Erie Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 32% since 2011–12
Erie, PA
B+Overall grade148 students9 students per teacher
#45 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Shady Side Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, PA
B+Overall grade1,118 students21 students per teacher
#46 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Davidson School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Elwyn, PA
B+Overall grade269 students7 students per teacher
#47 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Milton Hershey School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Hershey
Hershey, PA
B+Overall grade1,951 students8 students per teacher
#48 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy-Upper
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
B+Overall grade1,058 students8 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.