William Penn Charter School (Top Ranked 草榴社区 School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked PA School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 947 students
Acceptance rate: 31%
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 14 / rolling
Source: 鉁�Verified school update

School Rankings

William Penn Charter School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Friends

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	William Penn Charter School
Pre-K	31
Kind	43
1	55
2	43
3	44
4	40
5	41
6	56
7	70
8	85
9	121
10	116
11	92
12	110

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Year Founded

1689

School Calendar

Campus Size

47 acres

Student Body

Total Students

947 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

State avg.: 27%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

108 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

9:1

National avg.:

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

75%

Average Class Size

15 students

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

jeans or khaki pants, polo shirt

Number of AP Courses

14 courses

List of Courses Offered

Advanced Courses

AB CalculusArt History

BC CalculusBiology

ChemistryEnvironmental Science

French LanguageLatin Literature-Catullus/Ovid

Physics CSpanish Language

StatisticsU.S. Government & Politics

U.S. HistoryWorld History

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Friends Council on Education (FCE)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)
Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Dec. 14 / rolling

Tuition Notes

The tuition ranges from $23,500 for PreK to $38,650 for upper school.

% on Financial Aid

40%

Acceptance Rate

31%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Karen Hallowell

Admissions Associate

Jennifer Cubbin

Application URL

Endowment Size

$85 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

18 sports

Sports

Track and FieldWater Polo

Winter TrackWrestling

Show More (2)Hide

Colors

Blue, Yellow

School Mascot

Quakers

School Notes

William Penn Charter School, established in 1689 by William Penn, is the oldest Quaker School in the world.
Penn Charter has combined a rich heritage of Quaker values with academic rigor and excellence.
A college-preparatory day school educating boys and girls from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, the school is located on a 44-acre campus in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.
Penn Charter's philosophy is centered on the Quaker belief that there is "that of God in every person." Respect for others and appreciation for the unique values of each individual are woven into the very fabric of the institution.
We strive to be a richly diverse school community racially, religiously, economically, ethnically and socially.
To that end, the school offers a need-based financial aid program.
Beyond the fundamental goal of promoting academic achievement and intellectual distinction, Penn Charter offers abundant opportunities to discover and develop artistic and athletic abilities.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

What schools are William Penn Charter School often compared to?

William Penn Charter School is often viewed alongside schools like The Philadelphia School by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of William Penn Charter School?

The acceptance rate of William Penn Charter School is 31%, which is lower than the national average of 81%. William Penn Charter School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Pennsylvania with low acceptance rates.

What sports does William Penn Charter School offer?

William Penn Charter School offers 18 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Water Polo, Winter Track and Wrestling. William Penn Charter School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for most sports offered.

What is William Penn Charter School's ranking?

William Penn Charter School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most sports offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.

When is the application deadline for William Penn Charter School?

The application deadline for William Penn Charter School is Dec. 14 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 14 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

In what neighborhood is William Penn Charter School located?

William Penn Charter School is located in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 16 other private schools located in Northwest Philadelphia.

School Reviews

5 3/16/2012

As a senior about to graduate, I look back on my 7 years at Penn Charter with mixed feelings. The challenging academics and vigorous requirements were always a struggle for me. Not only was it hard to keep up, but it was sometimes hard to understand why my friends at public schools didn't have hours of homework each night. However, looking back on the experience, I can see how much it has shaped me. Going through high school is difficult, but I gained tremendously important skills that give me a huge advantage over others my age. The constant testing and homework also teaches us maturity, and allowed us to blossom into hardworking adults. I know that the price is extremely high, and the work is difficult, but Penn Charter truly is a wonderful school. It offers something for everyone; if you wish to be involved, you can certainly do so. Sports are a large aspect of student life, but for those like myself who are not interested in sports, you may manage a team and spend more of your time in the brand-new 14-million dollar performing arts center. No school is perfect, and PC certainly has its faults, but overall, going here has shaped me into an adult equipped for the world.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - pkess

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Philadelphia, PA is $13,062 for elementary schools and $19,019 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Philadelphia, PA is 77% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).