2024 Best Schools Offering AP Courses in the Philadelphia Area

• Bryn Mawr, PA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  53 reviews

Parent: Barrack is a warm, welcoming, wonderful school. The teachers and staff get to truly know your child and support them in every way possible. Their core values of kindness, community, honor and courage are weaved through everything they do. The academics are top-notch, and my kids have excellent study, writing, and executive functioning skills. They know how to be excellent students from the great coaching and preparation that their Barrack teachers provide. They also know how to advocate for themselves, and others. It may not be around the corner from us, but we feel the 40 minute bus ride is worth it (they made commuting to school easy with provided transportation and two late busses for after school activites). As parents, we did not grow up with a Jewish day school education, nor knew too much about it. However, we are so glad we explored Barrack as an option for our children, and feel it is a true gift to be able to learn there. Our children 100% "love where they learn."... Read 53 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 340

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Newtown Square, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  152 reviews

Parent: The education is challenging and prepares prepares the student to be successful in college. EA students also have the opportunity to grow and learn outside the classroom, and are encouraged to find their passion by taking advantage of the extensive extracurricular activities. Whether it’s arts, theater, athletics, community service, debate, robotics, travel, Episcopal offers it all. This learning and growing happens within a supportive and nurturing community. Each of my children built special relationships with teachers who served as coaches, club leaders, chaperones on school sponsored trips or simply caring mentors. And the foundation for that community is chapel, a time when the students come together to reflect and learn. Although rooted in Christianity, the chapel program is welcoming and inclusive and gives the students the opportunity to share their beliefs with each other. EA shaped my children and provided them with a foundation for future success.... Read 152 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,276

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Pottstown, PA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  126 reviews

Parent: The Hill is an intimate school in a fairly secluded campus on the outskirts of Philly (40 minutes out). It is a special place for the relationships and. Lose was that is fostered between the students, faculty, and administration which creates a sense of belonging. Academically, there are very rigorous programs in STEM, Humanities, Languages (even the classics). Every student will play sports and activities to their ability, and many of the teams perform as state and National contenders. The rivalry with Lawrenceville is mostly tradition, but can lead to some strongly competitive influences at times. The rules are the rules, and if you play by the rules at The Hill there are very few problems in the day-to-day. With that having been said, rule breakers don’t last at this school; deference to the good kids makes for swift action against culprits and trouble makers. In all, the kids learn rich lessons of all facets of experience that sticks with them for life.... Read 126 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 539

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Malvern, PA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.64 out of 5  87 reviews

Parent: Malvern faculty and staff have such a special gift tapping into our son's inner strengths. My son went from parochial to public school before finding his home at Malvern. He was quiet and ok with coming to school, doing his best each day. After a few short weeks his team of teachers have worked with him to place him in challenging classes, encouraging his participation in campus events, and stepping out of his comfort zone to explore a student leadership role. His first year provided so much personal awareness and growth. He began his journey learning who he is and how to build on these strengths, as well as recognize where he needs to be challenged. Something we spent many years partnering with outside counselors and teachers in his previous schools with little success. We knew we were missing something and the Malvern staff have been able to help him so quickly and effectively. We can't thank Malvern enough and are so grateful he has 3.5 more years discovering his best self!... Read 87 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 673

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Fort Washington, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  92 reviews

Parent: My daughter started in kindergarten and is now in 10th grade at GA. The most exceptional thing about this school is the teachers. They are dedicated, passionate, intelligent and truly love teaching. They establish connections and relationships with students and actually enjoy spending time listening to what is going on in their students’ lives outside the classroom. In lower school , having two teachers in each classroom allows for differentiated learning and individualized attention to all students. Teachers really know their students. In middle and upper school, dropping in to meet with teachers during free periods is highly encouraged and helps solidify teacher/student connections and learning. The teacher retention rate says a lot about the school. Most all stay 30-40 years!!! I feel that my child had been in the best hands and has grown so much through the years socially, emotionally and of course, academically. GA is a very special place.... Read 92 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,223

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Philadelphia City School District, PA•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  274 reviews

Parent: Clubs and activities shouldn’t be C at all. The achievements that the students had received always surprise me. They just received the national championship in UPenn’s National Debate Tournament this year. Students do many different sports, clubs and activities and have received so many championships in the school district. Besides that, they are also qualified for regional, state and even Olympic qualification, such as tennis, swimming, ice skating, Science Olympia Debate…etc. I was told a Sophomore student won thousands of dollars in a computer programming competition this year. These are just what I know. Of course, there are more that I don’t even know. Its sports and activities ranking shouldn’t be “C” at all.... Read 274 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,180

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Newtown, PA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  142 reviews

Parent: My son chose George because of the diverse academics, the diverse community, and the recognition he would be treated as an individual. He is in 11th grade now and has thrived here. His teachers have celebrated his successes, worked with him 1:1 to support him through challenges, and he has made lifelong friends. He is more confident than ever before. As a parent, I appreciate the warmth of the community and the passion with which teachers teach. While it is still a year and a half away, I know my son will be ready for the next step in his educational journey!... Read 142 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 536

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Tredyffrin-Easttown School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  425 reviews

Senior: My time at Conestoga High School was a great experience (so far). I am enjoying my time there as I am constantly getting what I need from the resources they offer. For people thinking about coming into this district, I would day do it! But wait, make sure you can advocate for yourself. There are so many opportunities that Stoga has to offer, but if you do not push yourself to open the doors that are already unlocked, no one is going to do it for you.... Read 425 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,335

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Wilmington, DE•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  89 reviews

Parent: Our experience at Friends has been incredibly good. Our son (4th grade) began attending in Kindergarten and has found the environment welcoming and supportive. Although our son is very logical and technical in his thinking, his very favorite class experience is working with Teacher Teal in the art class! He also loves receiving piano lessons, chess club, and, of course, PE. We love that our son is receiving a diverse experience and learning to embrace so many different areas of knowledge. We also love the lower school Natural Playground - a safe outdoors area with nearby woods that allow the children to explore and play. There are many more things that we could mention, but I would summarize to say that we have been so happy to partner with WFS and recommend this school without reservation.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 743

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Radnor Township School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  154 reviews

Junior: rising junior here! i'm having a fantastic experience at radnor so far but i'm a rich white gifted kid so that clouds my experience lol. the academics are GREAT i feel like i've learned so much and am so so prepared for college. workload can sometimes be hard to manage but overall i love my classes. i've fostered really close relationships with a lot of my teachers and i think they put a lot of effort into teaching. we also have a huge array of super fun electives. i'm a member of a couple clubs and also a club president. radnor has a load of clubs and makes it really easy to start your own which is nice, but certain activities (football) get more recognition and funding than the rest lol. my only real gripe is that the school is really white and rich and it only gets worse as the classes get smarter. i'm super unaware so i can't really speak to bullying but my friends have had problems with cliquishness.... Read 154 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,165

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Philadelphia, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  119 reviews

Parent: Amazing teachers and staff. Wonderful community of parents and families. We were a bit worried that people would be snobby towards families like ours who receive financial aid, but that has not been our experience at all. My children are in the lower school and thriving, they are supported by their teachers, the administration and other parents. We couldn’t be happier.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 988

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Wilmington, DE•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  327 reviews

Senior: The Charter School of Wilmington is the best option I could have picked for high school. The academics are extremely advanced and our students put up great test scores. I feel incredibly prepared for college since I have been taught advanced material and was given many opportunities to pick classes in different fields of study and different levels of challenge. While I have met many great teachers that have helped me through school, many of them teach straight out of a textbook and don't offer the best experience for every student. The workload is a lot as well, but both of these factors contribute to students time management and study skills that they will need in college. The food and facilities of Charter are subpar, with gross public school meals and an extremely old gym and locker rooms. Our outdoor fields have no restrooms, lockerrooms, speakers for announcements, lights, etc. There are still many opportunities for sports teams, clubs, and other extracurriculars, however.... Read 327 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 971

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Jenkintown, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  143 reviews

Parent: My daughter picked AFS for High School for its campus, culture and engaging community. She felt welcomed from the first time we visited thru her entire time so far even though her friends were going to school elsewhere. We couldn't be happier with our choice as our child is thriving academically as well as with her extracurricular activities. The student population is very diverse and her friends are spread out throughout Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery county. The school has additional learning opportunities outside the classroom, including those interested in the medical, business or law profession. A new athletics center with all of the amenities has recently opened. Our family loves being part of the AFS community!... Read 143 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 600

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Bryn Mawr, PA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  120 reviews

Parent: I have had 3 daughters enrolled - 2 graduates and a current student (Class of '24), and all three LOVED the teachers, Sacred Heart traditions and the diverse makeup of their class. They also received an education that not only prepared them for college, it prepared them to THRIVE in college. You won't find better academics - particularly in STEM areas as they have several teachers who came from industries and provide real-world usage for the mathematics, biology and physics that they are learning. As far as activities, SHA has some really good sports teams, great music, theater and choir. Overall, teachers and staff are great to deal with! Visit SHA before you decide on a school, you won't be sorry!... Read 120 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 200

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Pennsburg, PA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  68 reviews

Junior: Attending Perkiomen School has been a tremendous experience. Academically, I’ve had fairly easy access to taking the classes I’ve wanted. Though not incredibly vast, they provide many AP courses (I believe around 30) and honors courses as well. Teachers obviously care about their students, and time for additional help is provided in the daily schedule. Students participate in an after school activity everyday, and must take at least one semester (three per year) of a sport or physical activity. One downside is the obvious preferential treatment that the sports have started to gain in the recent years, however sports as well as the rest of student life has provided many opportunities to socialize and make friends on campus. Overall, there are so many experiences to take advantage of (the medical, entrepreneur, ai, and design institutes as well as clubs) and many weekend trips to spend with friends.... Read 68 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 286

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Downingtown Area School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  121 reviews

Senior: The Downingtown STEM Academy is an extremely rigorous and demanding program. Therefore, in order to be successful individuals must learn good study habits, how to advocate for themselves, good communication and collaboration skills, and how to manage time. Overall, the STEM environment gives off more of a college campus vibe, as opposed to a general high school vibe. The students have a lot of freedom in that there are no hall passes, students are permitted to work outside of the classroom, there's a lot of long-term assignments, and the teachers do not hand-hold their students. The teachers are mostly incredibly supportive, qualified, and dedicated (although as in any school there will always be a few exceptions). The teachers and staff work to provide a safe community and promote good mental health. Due to the rigorous nature of the program, most students suffer from mental health issues, which need to continually be addressed. Overall, DASD's STEM is a great school and community.... Read 121 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 883

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Lower Merion School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  206 reviews

Sophomore: I love Harriton High School. Most teachers are helpful, but the classes here are rigorous. The art displayed around the school is especially lovely because it showcases the talented young artists throughout the school. The administration hears the students' recommendations, like our wellness days. The teachers here really push you to do your best, and they offer help if you do poorly. Although the school is mainly caucasian, they recognize minorities in our daily announcements. Black Student Union (BSU), Asian culture club, GSA, and other inclusive clubs are invited to speak every morning. The culture at Harriton is competitive; everyone expects each other to get A's, go to prestigious universities, captain clubs, etc. And most students end up in those universities. Overall, Harriton has shaped me into a hardworking individual.... Read 206 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,261

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Moorestown, NJ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  86 reviews

Alum: Great teachers (especially in the math department) make you feel excited to learn and will give you a newfound love for learning. Other teachers (especially in the science department) will make you hate it. School listens to students, and will try to make compromises to improve student experience. Although, they don’t take the complaints of racism from students of color very seriously. Overall, 8/10.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 634

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Claymont, DE•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  181 reviews

Senior: My experience at Archmere has changed my life through education and sports. One thing that Archmere lacks is diversity within the staff and the students. I am a black female student at Archmere and one thing that I would like to have in the school is diversity and being able to connect with people who look like me. One thing that Archmere does have is a loving community, the teachers are great and are always willing to help you no matter what. If there is one change I would like to see at Archmere coming from a student who goes there would have to be an increase in the diversity.... Read 181 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 529

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Philadelphia, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  152 reviews

Senior: I've been at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy for 12 years now and I feel without a doubt the school has prepper me immensely as I embark on my college search. The academics are rigorous and engaging at whatever level you may need and the faculty are wonderful people and extremely helpful. Clubs and activites are a key part of the vibrant SCH community as well as sports which have become increasingly strong as time goes on. As a student of color, I would say SCH has at times not always felt like a "perfect" community and there have been various incidents in which I think the school should have responded better. I can definitely, however, say that over the years I have been here I have seen the school adapt and change and I believe over time they have made many great pushes for diversity. In all, I have had a great experience at SCH... Read 152 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,101

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Lower Merion School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  274 reviews

Junior: Lower Merion is a great high school, and I am certainly going to miss it when I graduate. There are a lot of people here with a variety of interests, so you will be sure to find someone with similar interests. There's a lot of amazing clubs and activities at the school, such as the theater program, LM Players (clubs could use more funding though). School spirit and sports are great and highly celebrated (ex. Dawg Pound shows off school spirit at games). Teachers are overall great, and STEM is strong. The music department is especially great! Diversity could be a little better. Facilities are pretty good, and there are a lot of resources for college and more. We have a program called lunch and learn, which is one hour in the day students can use to eat lunch anywhere in school and do work or get help from teachers. Administration could be better, because they sometimes try to hide stuff up. Overall, I love LM and I can't imagine being anywhere else!... Read 274 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,721

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Burlington, NJ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: Doane Academy is ALL about student, teacher, staff/administration, and familial Support; and I can vouch for this firsthand. Doane Academy is not talk, but action, and the "family atmosphere" they provide is not casual, but intimate and intentional-it's an extremely palpable feeling from the minute you enter the building, no matter where you go (dining hall to classroom). Their established "families" that each student is put in are nothing short of remarkable! I get a kick out of seeing upper-class students with "the littles" and the genuineness of it all. My son adores Doane, and this makes the academics flow seamlessly.... Read 68 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 247

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Hockessin, DE•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  70 reviews

Parent: When my husband and I went through the high school selection and admission process with our oldest daughter, we were searching for a school that felt like the most natural progression from the Independence School. We wanted academic rigor and a plethora of stimulating activities, but framed in a warm and nurturing environment. We wanted teachers that would take an interest in our child and be accessible. Our family was fortunate to find that familiar feeling at Sanford. In fact, we were surprised at just how welcoming and supportive! Sanford continues to impress... Our child is now a junior and we could not be happier. She loves challenging herself with honors and AP courses and participating in field hockey and an array of clubs. She is particularly fulfilled by the performing arts program and choir opportunities at Sanford. It has been very gratifying to watch our oldest blossom at Sanford and now it's our youngest's turn to explore all she cab achieve under Sanford's embrace!... Read 70 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 640

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• New Hope, PA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  63 reviews

Senior: I feel that there's a lot to like with this school, but its sweet nature can sometimes be a little bit of a crutch. Sometimes it offers support for issues it can't necessarily resolve, falls short on supporting students with important projects, and the community is not quite as accepting, diverse, and warm as it likes to market itself. Despite that, it is without a doubt an excellent school. The teacher-student relationships are unrivaled, and I've gotten tremendous pleasure working with them as well as with my peers who are grouped into classes of similar levels of drive and motivation. The arts program is the biggest perk of the school. The theater program has been a second home for me and the opportunities it has offered me, between working with Broadway professionals, competitions, and sponsored trips, are ones I'm unsure could be found at many other schools. The community, while not perfect, is still conducive to students finding their niche. Overall, I'd rate my experience 8/10.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 249

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Newark, DE•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  103 reviews

Alum: Newark Charter is the best by far in terms of academics and teacher support, but in terms of athletics it falls short with lack of certain sports such as fall. Now saying that I know that in the future they are going to have a team but unsure of when but are building the facilities to be capable to play football. So over all it’s a great school and was an amazing experience with friendly staff and teachers to aid students!... Read 103 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,458

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1