When Silenia Rhoads was in her early 20s, she worked as an education consultant and toured countless main line schools and programs across the Greater Philadelphia Region. One particular independent school made a big impression—Westtown School was a shining example of what she believed quality education should be, though she mostly forgot about it as life took her away from the area.

Years later, when Silenia and her husband John moved to Malvern with their young children, they discovered they had stumbled upon an amazing coincidence.

“I said, ‘I think we live really close to a school that I have dreamed about for 10 years,’’’ she said.

She was right: The Westtown School, a co-ed, Quaker-based school for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, was located just minutes away in West Chester.

What Makes Westtown School Special for Families

The 600-acre campus, Quaker values, and high-level academics that had originally impressed Silenia during her consultant days remained cornerstones of the school’s identity. Today, all three of her children are thriving Westtown students: Carolina (8, third grade), Jay (7, second grade), and Lucia (6, first grade).

The family’s experience has been everything she ever hoped it would be.

“Westtown truly uses their campus, and I love that,” Silenia emphasized. “For my kids, I see how the connection with being outside and learning something really happens when they’re touching it and feeling it and smelling it and seeing it. The amount of movement and outdoor time that they have is really special.”

Innovative Lower School Curriculum and Approach

At the lower school level, Westtown’s educational philosophy centers on developing essential “pillars of action,” including:

• Critical thinking skills
• Caring and empathy
• Risk-taking and courage
• Effective communication
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Research capabilities

These fundamental qualities are cultivated through inquiry-based science lessons, design projects in the school’s state-of-the-art iLab, and other innovative aspects of Westtown’s curriculum.

Quaker Values in Action: Character Development That Matters

The spiritual elements of Westtown’s curriculum have particularly resonated with the Rhoads family. The school’s foundational Quaker values are simple yet profoundly impactful and important for children to understand:

• Peace
• Integrity
• Kindness
• Individuality

These aren’t just words on a wall—they’re lived principles that shape every interaction and learning experience at the school.

Small Class Sizes, Big Relationships

Because Westtown’s classes are intentionally small, it’s easy to build strong relationships, Silenia said. The teachers are like family.

“Every time I encounter a new teacher for one of my kids, they end up being a close friend of mine,” she said. “That says a lot about how they care for my family.”

It also means there’s near constant feedback and communication between parents and teachers.  Every door is open to a parent, Silenia said, and there’s a level of respect for the students as people that’s remarkable.

“The community there sees each child as an equal,” she said.

Individualized Attention That Makes a Difference

The personalized attention at Westtown is exemplified through Jay’s experience. As a typically energetic 7-year-old boy, his teachers have created space for him to be authentically himself while simultaneously building the social-emotional skills he’ll need as he grows.

Rather than focusing solely on discipline, Westtown educators emphasize teaching children how to be respectful of others and themselves. The teachers even share their specific language and communication strategies with parents, so Silenia and John can reinforce it at home.

“They give me that little fly on the wall feeling even though I’m not there all the time to understand what’s going on,” Silenia noted.

Beyond Education: A True Partnership in Parenting

Silenia and her husband feel as though parenting advice and support are integral parts of the Westtown experience, and they’re grateful. The school’s approach extends beyond academics to encompass the whole child and, by extension, the whole family.

For Silenia, the realization that her dream school from decades ago has become such a central part of her family’s life continues to feel miraculous.

“I had to visit a lot of schools with this job I was doing, and that one was the one school that truly stayed in my head,” she reflected. “It’s incredible that we were close to it.”

Why Westtown School Stands Out Among Main Line Private Schools: Key Differentiators for Families

• 600-acre campus providing unparalleled outdoor learning opportunities
• Quaker values integrated into daily curriculum and school culture
• Small class sizes enabling personalized attention and strong relationships
• Pre-K through 12th grade continuum allowing families to grow with one school community
• Inquiry-based learning that encourages critical thinking and creativity
• Exceptional parent-teacher communication and family partnership
• Character development emphasis alongside academic excellence

Ready to Learn More About Westtown School?

If you’re seeking a private school that combines academic excellence with character development and Quaker values, Westtown School offers families in Malvern, West Chester, and surrounding Main Line communities an exceptional educational experience. Visit their Main Line Parent Profile Page to read more local families’ experiences and to share yours.

Discover how your family could become part of this remarkable educational community at westtown.edu.

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Photo by Casey Kallen. 

Westtown School’s story supports the Main Line Parent Community. Collaborate with us.

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