This forum has been great for answering travel related questions but now I have one for a potential move to the PA/DE area.

I've researched some of the school systems (middle & high school) in the Wilmington DE area and across the border in PA (private and some public), but research is just that -- numbers, statistics, and the written word about how great each school is.

My question is what is your opinion of the schools? Do you have kids in the system or know someone who does? How do they (the private ones) compare:

in terms of acceptance to the school (is it very selective, very political-who-you-know, only if you are an A+ student, large enough to accept a good selection of students)

the kind of education you get there (very rigorous, liberal, Montessori-like, structured)

the academics (classic, liberal)

extracurricular activities (mostly sports, broad range of activities)

We have looked on the internet at the following schools:

Archmere Academy
Devon Preparatory
Malvern Preparatory
Salesianum School
Haverford School
Shipley School
Tatnall School
Tower Hill School
Wilmington Friends

Depending on where we decide to reside, I?ve read that the Chadds-Ford/Unionville School system and the Radnor system are good for public schools if we choose not to go private.

We appreciate any help you can give. Or if you can suggest another website that might allow a comparison of these ? and other ? schools. Thanks for your help.

Anyone?

Also, are there any communities/areas recommended/or to avoid in the NJ and MD areas with good middle/high schools, public or private. When we move, employment will be in Wilmington, DE.

Thanks.

Philadelphia Magazine runs an annual article "rating" the various public and private schools. I don't subscribe anymore, so I can't tell you which issue it is, but perhaps you could contact them through phillymag.com

Thanks. Do you or any of your friends have kids in any of these schools? I'd like to get some first hand knowledge of the schools as well as the statistics.

Chester County PA is on the PA border of Delaware. I am a teacher in one of the better school districts. Unionville is an excellent district, upscale housing, horse country. Downingtown and Tredyfrin-Easttown (sp) are also outstanding. Chester County is quite beautiful. Avoid Coatesville, Oxford, AvonGrove. Delaware publics aren't highly thought of. The list of private schools are all good. Devon over Malvern. School status by scores are misleading because the newspapers don't understand how the scores are arrived at - they are skewed based on many variables. Hope this helps.