A Unique Kindergarten Experience at Phebe Anna Thorne School

Nestled in a private schoolhouse on the Haverford College Campus is 75-year-old Phebe Anna Thorne School, which has been serving kindergarteners for 20 years. On any given day, its 16 students may go to the observatory, the chem lab to do science experiments, or the arboretum, making every day fun, exciting, and full of unique, real-life learning experiences. But no matter the classroom, teachers weave social-emotional learning into everything they do.

“At Phebe Anna Thorne school, we celebrate kids as individuals and nurture their sense of self, which provides a foundation for success,” said Director Amanda Ulrich.

Nurturing Emotional Intelligence

The school works with Dr. Jan Linowitz, a psychoeducational consultant, who holds weekly classes on topics like friendship and feelings to help kids articulate challenging feelings, like worry or jealousy. The class also undertakes role-playing to explore emotions in a safe environment – it all provides a foundation for kids when they go beyond kindergarten to have an understanding of who they are and how to regulate their emotions and how to help others.

Parent Ali Gazan has sent both of her children to Thorne; her daughter has since graduated, but taken the lessons she learned there with her. “In kindergarten, she really developed the foundational skills she needed — both educationally and emotionally — to thrive at first grade in public school. She was confident in her abilities to learn, and, even more importantly, had formed a love of learning that follows her to this day.”

Balancing Academics and Play

The kindergarten schedule is set up to balance play and academic learning, all while supporting kids’ emotional needs. Subjects like math and reading are broken into small group learning based on each students’ level and interests to ensure kindergarteners are happy, engaged, and feel really good about themselves … all to encourage a love of learning. Specialty classes include music, sports, science, and art. 

Dedicated kindergarten teachers are all certified and many also have masters degrees in early childhood education. A literacy and math specialist supports these full-time teachers in providing personalized support for each kindergartener.

A Campus Full of Opportunities

Phebe Anna Thorne is certainly not all work and no play; as the college campus is their school, they have plenty of free time, both inside and out, including three recesses each day which could be on their playground, or within their two-story school house. Learning also takes place through unique experiences like an art show, author events, and science experiences with The Lower Merion Conservancy.

Phebe Anna Thorne offers a traditional toddler and preschool program as well as a Language Enrichment Preschool Program for children who need specialized speech/language instruction. The preschoolers are on the Bryn Mawr College campus, and they get priority admission consideration for the coveted 16 kindergarten spots.

Families do come to Thorne just for kindergarten, though, for one more year of a small, nurturing early childhood experience. 

“I cannot say enough good things about the Thorne kindergarten program,” said Ali Gazan. “Kindergarten is such a milestone moment and it can feel nerve-wracking for kids and parents. But the moment you set foot inside the school on the Haverford College campus, you see what a special and magical place it is. It takes advantage of everything the college campus has to offer. It is truly a one-of-a-kind kindergarten experience.”

Building a Supportive Community

Parents also appreciate the myriad school events like the family picnic, fall festival, holiday party, and spring fling. Through events, and due to the small school size, families can have consistent communications with the school through conferences, and an open invite to visit the class. Families have real relationships with the school due to this team approach. 

“The small class size allows students — and parents — to form such special relationships with the teachers and each other. My son is now a student, and my daughter loves nothing more than visiting him at school to say hi to her former teachers,” said Ali.

Dr. Linowitz and parents appreciate how the personalized relationships and small class size allow teachers to support each child and meet them where they are. “Kindergarten is the first time many kids have had to think about academics – some are advanced and we try to figure out how to support it. Or if there’s a learning difference, kindergarten is usually when we figure it out – before it gets to a place it might be missed,” said Dr. Linowitz.

Thorne accept kids with learning differences, and requires an evaluation to ensure that child would be successful in the program.

“Phebe Anna Thorne is where everyone knows you and loves you and takes care of you. Parents choose us for kindergarten because their child can only get one more year of this type of kind, nurturing school experience – and to hold onto it for one year longer is really a gift for your child.”

Ali Gazan believes she made one of her best decisions by sending her children to Thorne for kindergarten. “It truly takes a village and I consider myself extremely lucky to say the Thorne community is part of that village.”

Connect with Phebe Anna Thorne School

To learn more or schedule a tour, please contact Marcia Leithauser at mleithause@brynmawr.edu, 610-645-0204

Learn more about the unique educational program at Phebe Anna Thorne School in their other stories here on Main Line Parent. Are you a current Thorne family, or an alum? Share what you love about your school with us, each testimonial is a nomination for our Main Line Parent LOVE Awards for Excellence in Education!

Photos submitted by Phebe Anna Thorne School. Writing credit to Stef Arck-Baynes. Phebe Anna Thorne School supports the Main Line Parent Community.