Girard College

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

United States

Overview

A recognized leader in the education of children in need, Girard College has an unmatched 170-year history of providing a quality educational experience for economically disadvantaged children on its 43-acre campus in the heart of Philadelphia. In its mission statement, Girard College is described as a boarding school for academically capable students, grades 1 through 12, from families with limited financial resources, each headed by a single parent or guardian. But it is much more than that. Home and school to orphan boys from 1848 to 1984, home and school to boys and girls from 1984 to the present, Girard has nurtured the minds, bodies and spirits of at-risk children for 174 years. The school's benefactor, Stephen Girard (1750-1831), left his generous estate to educate and care for needy children. As long as Girard College has existed, all its students have received full scholarships, benefitted from strong academic and extracurricular programs and lived safely on an enclosed, 43-acre campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Programs at Girard College have changed over its history to prepare students for success. Today Girard is a college prep school with virtually 100% of its graduates going on to college or university. Girard has an unprecedented history of supporting those who are most in need of a quality educational experience, always mindful of our core values: respect, integrity, responsibility, compassion and self-discipline.

Academics

Department Director High School Principal - Raymond Pace & Elementary/Middle School Principal - Britney Batson

Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1

Average Class Size: 18

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 58

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 60%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

Evening Study Assistance
Study Skills Assistance
Subject Tutoring
Technology Center

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 8

Average Students Per Dorm:

Number of Girls Dorms: 4

Number of Boys Dorms: 4

Dorm Amenities

Game Room
Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Vending Machines

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

We are a FIVE-DAY BOARDING school. Families must live close enough to north Philadelphia to pick up their students on Friday afternoon and return them on Sunday evening. The school's benefactor, Stephen Girard (1750-1831), left his generous estate to educate and care for needy children. As long as Girard College has existed, all its students have received full scholarships, benefitted from strong academic and extracurricular programs and lived safely on an enclosed, 43-acre campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Programs at Girard College have changed over its history to prepare students for success. Today Girard is a college prep school with virtually 100% of its graduates going on to college or university. Girard has an unprecedented history of supporting those who are most in need of a quality educational experience, always mindful of our core values: respect, integrity, responsibility, compassion and self-discipline One of only two schools in the U.S. that offers a boarding program to students from grade 1 to 12, Girard is home to children as young as six. So campus life means bonfires and pajama parties, the Prom and movie night, bike riding and double dutch, talent show and story time. Alumni talk about their gratitude for the bonds of friendship that form at Girard as well as the life lessons they learned as part of a rich residential experience.

Facilities

All-Weather Track
Baseball Field
Fitness Center
Indoor Basketball Court
Pool
Volleyball Court
Softball Diamond
Soccer Field
Weight Room

Other Facilities

Two Library/Media Centers

Clubs & Organizations

Chess Club
Community Service
Environmental Club
Honor Council
National Honor Society
Peer Tutoring
Scouting
Student Activities
Student Government
Yearbook
TV Station

Arts & Athletics

Summary: Girard is committed to educating the whole child, and that includes physical health and activity as well as nutritional learning. All students participate in some after-school activity or club, and sophomores designed and built the school garden, which serves as a classroom for Upper and Lower School students and supplements the salad bar!

Arts Department Director: Paul Eaton

Athletics Department Director: Guy Moore

Arts

Interscholastic Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew
Cross Country Running
Soccer
Softball
Track and Field
Volleyball
Indoor Track

Recreational Sports

Crew

Graduates

College Information

Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

Notable Alumni

Franz Josef Kline

Class of 1930

Paul Evan Lehman

Class of 1910

Russell Johnson

Class of 1942

Kenneth C. Johnson

Class of 1943

Tracey Lee

Class of 1988

Ashton Youboty

Class of 1995

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 100%

Average Merit Scholarship: 63,000

Current Endowment Amount: $18,000,000

Interested in Girard College?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: Coed

Total Boarding: 322

Total Day: 0

Total Enrollment: 322

Boys: 154

Girls: 168

Boarding Grades Offered: 1-12

Day Grades Offered: -

School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School

Dress Code: Uniform

Applications Accepted: SAO

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: N/A

5-Day Boarding: $63,000

Day Tuition Fee: N/A

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Not Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 100%

Average Awarded: $63,000

School Finances