Finding the Right Fit: The Bachrach Family’s Journey with The Baldwin School
Discover how this Lower Gwynedd family found academic excellence and personalized growth at The Baldwin School's all-girls environment.
When Tom and Whitney Bachrach began their school search for daughter Katharine, they faced a common Main Line parent dilemma: weighing educational quality against practical considerations like commute time. Living in Lower Gwynedd, they initially hesitated about the distance to Bryn Mawr’s Baldwin School, despite its stellar reputation for girls’ education.
“My personality was a bit like my older daughter, who’s very shy, and I just felt the all-girls experience had been really great for me in terms of giving me confidence and helping me find my voice,” Whitney explained, reflecting on her own single-sex education. “That was something I really wanted to look at for my girls.”
What changed their minds? Setting foot on Baldwin’s historic campus in Bryn Mawr.
“We did two lengthy tours there that kind of just blew our minds,” Tom recalled. “It was a gut feeling, we knew it. This is arguably the biggest decision you’re going to make for your kid’s life. Quibbling over the commute felt silly.”
Beyond Academics: The Baldwin School Difference
The Bachrachs were immediately struck by something that transcended test scores and college acceptances – the poise, confidence and genuine happiness exhibited by Baldwin students. For a family concerned about finding the right balance of academic rigor without creating undue pressure, these observations proved pivotal.
“When we were on those tours, we’d pull young women from the hallway just at random and just start asking them questions, and it felt like I was talking to someone who was through grad school,” Tom said. “In my experience I’ve never seen a school like that. It’s an amazing place.”
This combination of academic excellence and well-rounded development addressed their initial concerns about competitiveness. At Baldwin, they discovered, achievement isn’t measured by comparison to peers but by each girl’s individual growth and development.
Personalized Learning for Different Personalities
Perhaps most compelling for the Bachrachs was Baldwin’s ability to nurture different personality types. With Katharine being naturally reserved and younger daughter Lily more outgoing, they needed an environment that could adapt to both learning styles.
“We wanted a place that was not going to tell our shy child she has to be outgoing and tell our outgoing child she has to be quiet,” Whitney emphasized. “At Baldwin, they’ll get all the tools to be the best version of who they can be.”
This personalized approach extends to all aspects of Baldwin’s curriculum, including their innovative Learn to Swim Program©, which builds confidence through individual achievement rather than comparing students to their peers.
Katharine’s first year exceeded the family’s expectations, with her kindergarten experience going “above and beyond” their hopes.
“They have just gone so above and beyond to make her feel comfortable,” Whitney shared. “I think every school tries to do that, but Baldwin has really delivered on that promise.”
The Transformation: From Shy to Confidently Curious
The most telling evidence of Baldwin’s impact? The transformation they witnessed in Katharine during that crucial first year.
“The shy little girl comes home bubbling over,” Whitney said, “talking about these things that I have to look up. And she’s having fun with it, she doesn’t realize that what she’s learning isn’t just standard kindergarten curriculum.”
For Lily, who began pre-kindergarten at Baldwin after this interview, the school’s ability to nurture her naturally outgoing personality while providing the same educational foundation proved equally valuable.
Transportation Solutions for Philadelphia Families
While location initially concerned the Bachrachs, they discovered Baldwin’s transportation options make the school accessible for families throughout the greater Philadelphia region.
Experience Baldwin for Your Family
Interested in learning whether Baldwin might be the right fit for your daughter? For over 130 years, Baldwin has developed talented girls into confident young women with the ability to make significant and enduring contributions to the world. Experience firsthand the unique educational environment that impressed the Bachrach f
Photographs by Casey Kallen, as seen in the Main Line Parent Education Guide.
This story supports the Main Line Parent Community. Learn how to collaborate with us here.
