Why was St. Philip’s Academy founded, and when?
St. Philip’s Academy was founded in the mid-1980’s by a coalition of educators, Episcopal clergy, and community activists in response to a critical need for a high quality and affordable independent elementary school in the greater Newark area. In 1988, the Academy opened its doors to ten students in first grade in a space donated by the Trinity and St. Philip’s Cathedral.
What does it mean that St. Philip’s Academy is an independent school?
As an independent school, St. Philip’s Academy has tremendous flexibility in serving students, ensuring that each child receives the programming that will best ensure his or her learning and development. It also means that we receive minimal public funding. The Academy relies on private funding from individuals, corporations and foundations.
What does it mean that St. Philip’s Academy is an Episcopal school?
St. Philip’s Academy admits students of all faiths. The school does not proselytize, nor does it teach classes in Bible or Religion. However, we do acknowledge an Episcopal heritage and we embrace many of the universal values informed by the Episcopal tradition including honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, loyalty, friendship, courage, open-mindedness and self-control. We believe that we find God in and through each other. We believe that every child is sacred, and we seek to tap into the divine possibilities of each of our children. We try to make sure all children receive the services and support they need and that all children realize their full potential to lead and support those around them.
What does it mean that St. Philip’s Academy accepts students “regardless of their ability to pay?”
St. Philip’s Academy employs a staff of fund raising professionals who are charged with raising the money necessary to make the school’s tuition affordable. Parents are asked to bear less than 40% of the cost of educating their child at the school. Besides this, extensive financial aid is available. (More information about the costs and financial assistance is available in a brochure entitled: “St. Philip's Academy is Affordable” obtainable from the Admission Office.)
How many students are enrolled? St. Philip's Academy enrolls approximately 340 boys and girls in kindergarten through eighth grade, as follows:
Kindergarten
Two classes of 18-20 students each
40 new openings per year
Grades One Through Eight
Two classes of 18-20 students each
Openings through attrition (or if a particular grade is under-enrolled)
How many openings occur through attrition every year?
Since families may choose to leave our community for a variety of reasons —most often because of corporate transfers or family relocations — it is impossible to predict annual attrition with any accuracy. Nevertheless, we encourage you to apply if you feel St. Philip's Academy is the right educational environment for your child in order to be considered for any vacancies that may occur.
Do you accept mid-year transfers?
We do not attempt to fill openings that may occur after the first two weeks of the academic year.
Do you accept new students into the eighth grade?
We do not usually accept new students into the eighth grade, since eighth grade is the final grade level offered at St. Philip's Academy. To minimize disruptions in a child’s education, we feel it is in the best interest of potential eighth-grade applicants to seek entry to a school with a high school continuum.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Kindergarten
1 full-time teacher and a full-time assistant for each class of 18 students
Grade One
1 full-time teacher and a part-time assistant for each class of 18-20 students
Grades Two through Eight
1 full-time teacher for each class of 18 students
Enrollment in Upper School classes vary by subject area
Students participating in teacher preparation programs (at area universities) will occasionally assist in classrooms under the strict supervision of the classroom teacher
In addition to our grade level classroom teachers, students are taught by specialists in the following curriculum areas:
- Computer Technology
- Music
- Foreign Language
- Art
- Physical Education
- Health (Grades 5-8)
What are your age requirements for entry to the school?
Kindergarten
5 years old by October 1st of the year of entry
First Grade
6 years old by October 1st of the year of entry or completion of Kindergarten at another school
My child’s birth date falls just before/after the September 1 cutoff. Do you make exceptions?
We strongly adhere to the October 1st cutoff date unless there is significant evidence or reason to consider otherwise. We do so because appropriate social/emotional placement is more likely within set chronological limits. It is essential that your child be secure within the classroom environment and with the social interactions that occur there. Appropriate social placement supports a child’s confidence in taking the necessary risks involved in learning. That comfort is critical to student achievement. At any and all grade levels at St. Philip's Academy, we feel sure that we can challenge a child to achieve his or her greatest potential — through either support or enrichment — as long as the individual is comfortable in his or her social placement. Applicants who do not meet the age requirement are screened by our school psychologist/learning consultant.
Does the school make special allowances for siblings of alumni, currently enrolled students and children of St. Philip's Academy faculty and staff?
Siblings of alumni, currently enrolled students and faculty/staff children who demonstrate the capacity to be successful in our program will receive first consideration in the admission process, although there is no guarantee of acceptance. Siblings and faculty/staff children follow the same application procedures as do all applicants and are expected to meet the same admission requirements.
How long is the school day?
All Grade Levels
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Is extended care offered before and after the regular school day?
Children may be dropped off no earlier than 7:30 a.m. Students who arrive early wait in the cafeteria under teacher supervision until 8:10 when they report to their classrooms. An “after care” program is available from 3:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. for students in kindergarten through grade eight. There are additional fees for extended day services.
No. Most families provide their own transportation to and from school. Carpooling is encouraged. Although some local school districts provide bussing to residents in their district who attend St. Philip's Academy, this varies each year.
Does the school provide lunch?
The school contracts with Scholastic Culinary Services, who provides our students with healthy, sustainable, family style lunches each day. Vegetarian options are always offered. This is available at an additional cost of $77.72 per month.
What is the school’s dress code?
St. Philip’s Academy students wear uniforms. Children often feel undue pressure about clothing and the uniform can help reduce some of this concern. The St. Philip’s Academy uniform, with the school emblem, is purchased from the Scholastic Uniform Company in Newark. Athletic shoes cannot be worn with the dress uniform.
Are your teachers certified?
For as long as the teacher certification process has existed, there has been dissatisfaction with it. One after another reform of the process has been promoted, usually from within the ranks of the education establishment. These reforms do not address a fundamental weakness of the certification process: its crude capacity for ensuring quality under any configuration. This process consists primarily of counting course titles, showing no regard for the possibility that knowledge can be acquired by means other than coursework, for the actual content of a college course or the quality of the instruction, for the educational standards of the college, or for even the grade earned. These omissions render the process incapable of determining the true quality of teacher candidates. Certification deems substandard all uncertified candidates, no matter what other attributes they possess, including those attributes that research correlates with effective teaching.
There is a scientifically sound body of research, conducted primarily by economists and social scientists, revealing the attributes of an effective teacher, defined as a teacher who has a positive impact on student achievement. This research does not show that certified teachers are more effective teachers than uncertified teachers. In fact, the backgrounds and attributes characterizing effective teachers are more likely to be found outside the domain of schools of education. (The text of these two paragraphs is taken from a 2001 Abell Foundation Report: Teacher Certification Reconsidered: Stumbling for Quality.)
When considering candidates for teaching positions at St. Philip's Academy, we are less concerned with their certification and more interested in intellectual ability, relevant experience, interpersonal skills and observed ability in the classroom.
Teachers are evaluated according to criteria established by the school that are in harmony with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and the standards of the National Association of Independent Schools.
What is the curriculum of the school?
A brief overview of the curriculum is given below. For a more extensive description of curricular offerings, a curriculum guide may be requested from the school.
Kindergarten through Grade Four (lower school)
The academic program in the lower school (K-4) prepares children for a future that requires competency not only in language arts, mathematics, science, and technology, but also in inter- and intra-personal skills. Our daily schedule captures and directs the enthusiasm and energy of the child through a wide range of classroom approaches guided by the instructional needs of the individual learner. The curriculum includes:
| Language Arts |
Mathematics |
Social Studies |
| Science |
French |
Library/Media |
| Computer Studies |
Music |
Art |
| Physical Education |
|
|
Grades Five through Eight (upper school)
For students enrolled in our Upper School, the approach and structure in grades five through eight support a program designed specifically for and adapted to the needs of early adolescents, encompassing a wide range of intellectual, social, artistic, and athletic experiences. High yet attainable expectations propel a program that is academically challenging. The curriculum includes:
| Language Arts |
Social Studies |
Mathematics |
| Science |
Spanish |
Computer Education |
| Library Research Skills |
Fine Arts |
Physical Education |
| High School Preparation |
History |
Latin |
Note that Grade Five is a transitional year in the upper school. Students travel less frequently from class to class, retain a homeroom identity and have the same teacher for social studies/English and the same teacher for mathematics/science.
Are there any after school activities?
A range of activities are available to students including, but not limited to the following:
| Kung Fu |
Basketball |
Computer Design |
| Fencing |
Fusion Dance |
Spanish Club |
| African Art |
Top Chefs |
Cake Decorating |
| Choir |
|
|
Note that not all activities are offered every term.
What happens to St. Philip's Academy students after they graduate?
St. Philip's Academy is committed to preparing our students to succeed at selective secondary schools. Almost one hundred per cent will move on to leading private and parochial schools in New Jersey and throughout the Northeast. Approximately 60 percent will attend prestigious boarding schools. Less than five per cent will attend charter or magnet schools. Much work and consideration goes into ensuring that all students are able to attend high schools that are appropriate for their further learning and development.
Many graduates return to St. Philip's Academy regularly to use our facilities, volunteer in the after school program, work in one of our summer camps or to speak with current students and parents. Our high school graduates attend highly competitive colleges and universities. (A listing of schools attended by graduates is available from the Admission Office.)