West Chester Friends School

Choosing West Chester Friends School

Choosing the ‘school home’ for your family and for your child's early childhood and elementary school experience can be an exciting process yet a challenging time. West Chester Friends School helps by opening its doors, welcoming your children to visit, and encouraging parents to become acquainted with its people, place, and programs. As a Quaker school committed to Friends values, WCFS celebrates diversity by welcoming families of all faiths and affiliations to its school community. Visits to WCFS are scheduled through the Admissions Office: 610-696-2937/admissions@wcfriends.org. Open Houses offer a short welcome program followed by tours of the campus and classrooms; tours may also be set for other days and last about an hour and a half. Children are welcome to accompany their families.

During the admissions process, parents are offered an opportunity to meet with Matthew Bradley, Head of School. Barbara Rowe, Director of Admissions also helps you learn about the school, the admissions process, and a child's experience here. Early Childhood Coordinator, Annmarie Stigale, is available for questions. Teachers will speak with you about a grade level or special area of study; a Parent Call List has families who are happy to share their school experiences.

After submitting an Inquiry Form via this website or contacting the Admissions Office, 610-696-2937/admissions@wcfriends.org, information will be sent to you both electronically and by regular mail.

The Application Process

The front information page of a completed Application should be FAXED to 610-431-1457; the completed original is mailed with the $50 application fee. The Teacher Recommendation Form is given to your child’s current teacher to complete and send directly to WCFS. (Common Rec. Form PreK, K, 1st / Common Rec. Form 2 - 5 )

Applications are accepted all year for the following school year; applicants applying by January 15 are given 'first round' consideration for space. After January 15 they are considered separately. Children may be assigned to a Wait List if space is limited. It is helpful to submit all paperwork by the first week of December to give time for assessments and visits which may take up to three weeks to finish. Decision letters are sent February 1 to those applying by January 15 who have completed the admissions process and with all paperwork on file. Contracts offered must be returned March 1 with the required deposit to secure the space.

The Admissions Process

Applicants to the Play School enjoy a sharing visit time in the preschool cottage with their parents, Director of Admissions, Early Childhood Coordinator and preschool teacher. Children applying to Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten visit for about two hours to participate in an individual developmental assessment and class visit. First Grade applicants visit for a morning and are assessed then. Students applying to Grades Two through Five visit for one or two full days in their current grade level class; reading, writing and mathematics assessments are given. A copy of the current report card (if applicable), a completed Teacher Recommendation form and any evaluations a child has sustained must be submitted for applicants to Pre-kindergarten and above.

Equal Opportunity Policy

West Chester Friends School adheres to a commitment to affirm and honor the Inner Light in every individual. With the exception of preference given to the members of the Religious Society of Friends in admissions and financial aid, West Chester Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in admissions, financial aid, employment policies, or educational programs.