Perkiomen School

• Language of instruction: English;
• Established in 1875;
• Location: Pennsberg, Pennsylvania, United States;
• Students age: from 11 to 18 years;
• Training programs: 6-12 grades, PG course, standard and intensive language courses, Exam preparation program;
• Total number of students: 350 people, include 150 foreign students;
• Type of studying: mixed;
• Type of accommodation: residence.

The Perkiomen School was founded in 1875 and today deserves respect among colleagues and students from all over the world. Here, Americans and representatives of any other country in the world can study (from 11 years). The American boarding school is located on a vast campus (172 acres) near Philadelphia (50 miles to the north, you can get to the city in about 50 minutes). The road to New York will take about 2 hours, the distance is 105 miles.

The students develop valuable social and moral qualities: responsibility, justice, sense of humor and common sense - all combined with high quality education.

According to statistics for 2014, 94 graduates of Perkiomen School entered the selected universities, including the most prestigious and rating universities:

• College of William and Mary;
• Muhlenberg College;
• Cornell University;
• University of Southern California;
• Drexel University;
• Emory University;
• Ursinus College and others.

The school offers small classes and dedicated conference periods to support education.

All students are required to have an iPad, a durable case, and a keyboard. The device is used across all school departments for accessing information, educational applications, creating projects, taking notes, assessments, and working with texts. Students use iPads to take College Board standardized tests (PSAT, SAT, and certain AP exams) and access Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive).

The English Language Learning Program distinguishes between social language (BICS) and academic language (CALP), helping students develop both everyday communication skills and academic language proficiency. Progress is assessed regularly, and English proficiency is evaluated each trimester.

The Learning Center (TLC) supports neurodiverse learners with a full academic classroom, individual 1:1 support, and multifaceted progress monitoring, and through metacognitive development, identification of personal and academic strengths, resilience building, and fostering a growth mindset. The neurodiversity testing coordinator arranges formal testing services, helps secure official accommodations for the PSAT/SAT and ACT, and ensures proper documentation is in place for college transition.

The school encourages self-advocacy, leadership, and confidence through academics, athletics, arts, clubs, and residential life. Students have trusted adults at school—teachers, advisors, coaches, and residence hall staff.

Upper School students (grades 9–12) and postgraduates enjoy greater freedom and schedule flexibility, focusing on time management, leadership roles, and advanced coursework to prepare for university.

Each year, more than 125 colleges and universities visit campus to meet with students.

In the Medical Institute, students learn to suture. In the engineering program, they collaboratively build a boat.

The academic program offers more than 140 courses in humanities, mathematics, sciences, world languages, visual and performing arts, and English as a second language.

The school offers 11 Honors courses. AP courses are offered in the following areas:

• Visual and performing arts: AP Music Theory, AP Studio Art 2D Design, AP Studio Art 3D Design, AP Studio Art Drawing,
• English: AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Seminar.

History and social sciences:

• AP Art History,
• AP Macroeconomics,
• AP Microeconomics,
• AP Human Geography,
• AP Psychology,
• AP United States Government and Politics,
• AP United States History,
• AP World History.

• Mathematics and computer science: AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Pre-Calculus, AP Statistics,
• Sciences: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism, AP Physics C Mechanics,
• World languages: AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Latin, AP Spanish Language and Culture.

AP Music Theory and AP Chinese Language and Culture are offered on a rotating basis depending on demand and enrollment.

The Institutes at Perkiomen allow students to explore interests and gain hands-on experience in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, medicine, and design.

The English Language Learning Program is designed for foreign students and offers two specialized courses: English Language Literature and English Language and Composition. The program is organized into three levels.

Perkiomen School was named to the 2025 AP School Honor Roll as a Platinum participant. During the 2025–2026 academic year, 114 students earned AP Scholar status from the College Board based on their AP exam results. This designation is awarded to students who score 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

Eight members of the Class of 2026 were recognized as Academic All-Americans by the National Association of Secondary School Coaches.

A 2021 Perkiomen graduate earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at Drexel University in June 2025.

• The school motto is "Solvitur Vivendo" (solved through living),
• 65% of students are American, 35% are international,
• The school has existed for 150 years,
• International diversity has been supported since the 1890s.

Reported alumni destinations include:

• University of South Carolina: a 2023 Perkiomen graduate studies in its Honors College,
• University of Southern California: a 2024 Perkiomen graduate studies film,
• Penn State: a member of Perkiomen's class of 2018 graduated in 2022 with majors in Political Science and Social Data Analytics,
• Newmann University: a 2024 Perkiomen graduate studies at the university,
• Drexel University: a 2021 Perkiomen graduate studies in the BS/MHS Physician Assistant Bridge Program.

6 comfortable, spacious hostels are built on the campus: students are provided with comfortable rooms for 1-2 people. Students of summer courses are accommodated in Kriebel Hall residence (also on campus: this is a historic mansion in three floors, completely renovated and modernized in 1995). Here there are classrooms, bedrooms and administrative offices.

Meals are organized according to the full board scheme, three times a day.

Subject list: biology, chemistry, geography, history, Information Technology, law, maths, physics, Political science

Every Perkiomen School student participates in extracurricular activities after classes: sports, arts, or leadership groups. Participation is required. The school offers a variety of clubs, community service projects, and other extracurricular options. Students may create their own club with a faculty advisor.

Wide opportunities for sports and active recreation. Among the most popular sports are the following:

• Lacrosse,
• Classes in the gym,
• General fitness,
• American football,
• Golf,
• Basketball,
• Baseball,
• Swimming (own swimming pool on the territory),
• Field hockey,
• Football,
• Tennis.

Students can visit various clubs and circles of interest, studios and workshops - among them:

• Robotics,
• Student Senate,
• Theater,
• Literary online magazine "Perspectives",
• German club,
• Mathematical club,
• Music,
• Student Yearbook,
• Art Studio.

Creatively gifted students can also attend classes of sculpture and modeling, engage in digital labs or express themselves in the art studio.

Interesting and informative excursions to the outskirts of the city are constantly organized, sightseeing of its sights; On weekends students go to New York, Philadelphia, Washington and other cities. Parents can participate in community life through parent events (in person or via Zoom), school-wide events (Homecoming, theater premieres), and through their student's advisor. ESL program students are strongly encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to develop social language skills.

The beautiful nature around the Perkiomen School campus and the cleanest air are available for walks and picnics, outdoor activities, hanging out with friends in case of good weather.

• Partner of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS),
• Prestigious boarding school,
• Individual, personal approach: average class size of 12,
• The ratio of teachers and pupils is 1: 8,
• International students are accepted from 11 years and older,
• A large number of subjects - 30 - available for study at the level of increased complexity of the AP,
• 42 athletic teams in 20 sports,
• Students from 44 countries and 14 U.S. states,
• Additional year (PG program), giving students the opportunity to qualitatively prepare for admission to the selected university.

Perkiomen School has historic and modern buildings, numerous gardens, and athletic fields. Each classroom has interactive boards, iPads and computers. The interactive whiteboards are ActiveBoard models. The educational building is designed in such a way that rooms are very bright - classes are conducted in natural light, which positively affects not only the ability to absorb the material, but also the health of the students, their vision and well-being.

The campus offers an Innovation Center available for student use. Perkiomen School houses the Carnegie Library, the only one in the United States: it is the richest source of scientific and fiction, and the building is a monument of art and architecture.

The school day at Perkiomen School begins at 8:00 AM. Buildings open at 7:30 AM. Day student sports and activities conclude at 5:15 PM.

Categories of additional expenses may include ESL courses for foreign students, transportation, health insurance, visa fees, excursions and additional activities, and personal spending money.

An application fee is charged.

100% of Perkiomen School students graduate, and 99% of graduates continue their education at colleges and universities.

International applicants to Perkiomen School need the following documents and test results:

• Academic transcripts for the current school year and the two previous school years,
• Recommendations from English and math teachers,
• The Perkiomen School supplement to the Standard Application Online (SAO),
• An essay,
• For entry to grades 6–10, SSAT scores. ISEE scores are also accepted,
• For entry to grades 11–12 or the postgraduate program, PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores,
• For applicants whose native language is not English, TOEFL scores. The Duolingo English Test is accepted if TOEFL results cannot be provided.

In the previous academic year, 50% of Perkiomen School students received financial aid. The school offers need-based financial aid.

Available merit scholarships include:

• Global Engagement Scholars Award—a highly selective scholarship for foreign boarding students in grades 6–11 planning to enroll for at least two years,
• Legacy Scholars Award—a selective scholarship for children or grandchildren of Perkiomen School alumni entering grades 6–11. The award may be applied to day or boarding tuition.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision