BEST SCHOOLS: 2024 Philadelphia Family LOVE Awards & Family Favorites
Discover why local parents rave about these exceptional Philly schools and homeschool resources.
In a region rich with top-tier educational institutions, it’s no surprise that families in the Greater Philadelphia area have so many excellent choices for their children’s education. From preschools to academies, our Family Focus Media team is pleased to present the 2024 LOVE Award Winners for Excellence in Education, who have made an undeniable impact on both students and their families. Through their innovative programs, nurturing environments, and dedicated teachers, these schools and institutions are helping to shape the future of the community. Join us in celebrating these outstanding schools and read why parents love them.
Read the endorsements from local parents in our Philly Family Community about who they love and then pop over to our Philadelphia Family Best for Families Guide to find more trusted resources! Best for Families Celebration & LOVE Luncheon photos by AMC Photography.
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education for Students with Learning Differences
AIM Academy
Philadelphia
AIM Academy is simply put an incredible place. I can honestly say that I believe the trajectory of my daughter’s life will forever be changed because of her time at AIM. The teachers and administration are incredibly compassionate, highly skilled and able to work on solutions with my daughter that help her learn for the way her brain works. She has gained confidence and grown in so many ways since joining AIM three years ago.
– Christine L.
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
Albert M. Greenfield School
Philadelphia
“Great teachers and community involvement.”
– Philly Family Community Parent
“My 3-year-old goes to Amigos and we so so love it. When we drop off our daughter we know she is in the best hands – she is safe, loved, and so excited to be there. Amigos is a bilingual program so we are so excited that our daughter is learning Spanish, but even without the language component it’s a fantastic program. Truly outstanding.”
– Nikka L.
“The teachers at Clementine are so amazing. They are loving and have the best ideas to keep the kids engaged and learning. I feel so lucky to have found Clementine Montessori. The kindergarten program is very special with special units that rotate in the afternoon and then they use the city to learn from, taking field trips that match their units. The programs are fantastic.”
– Philly Family Community Parent
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
Federation Early Learning Services
Philadelphia
“FELS has gone above and beyond regarding safety. I feel confident that they are taking every precaution to ensure the health of my children and our family. The staff has been very open about their procedures, which gives me peace of mind. I like the communication through the tadpole app. The whole experience has made us feel safe, and happy to have these friends and teachers in our children’s lives.”
– Jordan M.
“We love the attention and dedication to the children of the teachers/staff and seeing how much our daughter has developed over the past few months. Without hesitation, we would recommend the school to anyone asking about it.”
– Mark T.
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
French International School of Philadelphia
Bala Cynwyd
“Wonderful language immersion program, warm and kind teachers. Lots of diversity in the school, with many nations represented, so there is a lot of exposure to other cultures. My child had a fantastic kindergarten teacher who was a male and it was great to have an early educator representing men – not something I would have thought about proactively, but it turned out to be inspirational for my son.”
-Philly Family Community Parent
“When my son transferred to Fusion Cherry Hill, he was struggling with anxiety and a lack of Executive Functioning skills. While my expectations were lofty, envisioning an immediate flipping of the switch, Fusion Cherry Hill stayed true to their offer: a customized education. They worked with us as a family to determine my son’s specific needs and how best to accommodate them while making refinements along the way. Fusion helped me to learn to manage my expectations and to recognize and praise each accomplishment one-by-one, to validate, encourage and support his progress. Well, fast forward to what is now his senior year. The growth has been wonderful to witness. My son has learned to self-reflect, self-advocate and even challenge what he thinks he is capable of. He is deep into the college application process and batting a thousand with acceptances to some fairly selective liberal arts colleges. He is excited to hone those skills that he has been developing over the last several years with the help of his teachers and support staff at Fusion Cherry Hill.”
– Inez S.
“Greene Towne Montessori School is an incredibly special place filled with joy, music, creativity and curiosity. The phenomenal teachers are completely dedicated to the children and strive to support them as they learn and grow. We sent both of our children to Greene Towne and couldn’t have been happier with the experience. We felt that the community truly knew our kids-which is a wonderful feeling-and when each moved on, they were totally ready for the next step of their scholastic journey! We’ll always be grateful to our Greene Towne family for sharing their expertise, warmth and love of learning with our kiddos!”
– Philly Family Community Member
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
Little City Montessori
Philadelphia
“We had no idea when we joined LCM that they would have such a tremendous impact on our family. They care about each child individually, they promote togetherness, equality and giving back to the community. They noticed our child needed some extra help and not only did they give us some techniques to help improve development, they pointed us in right direction to external resources as well. We have seen such a positive improvement in our child and we have LCM to thank. We look forward to the continued educational and developmental growth that LCM will provide in the years to come. We are consistently referring this special school to our dear friends and family, and appreciate the continued support.”
– Alicia C.
“We are so glad that we have chosen to send our children to Norwood-Fontbonne Academy. At NFA, we have the opportunity either to choose the Montessori experience or the primary/traditional experience, knowing that each environment is going to benefit the needs of our children. We see our children coming home with empathy in their hearts, empathy for their environment around them and people around them and it’s all due to the skills and the ethics that they are teaching inside the classroom. The student are doing community service projects and they’re also learning about people around them. The education at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy is outstanding. The children come home engaged and excited and ready to learn the next day. We are so thrilled that we made this decision to send our children to NFA.”
– Megan S.
“PA Cyber uses technology for students to receive a high school diploma and the opportunity to grow beyond the normal curriculum and confines of a traditional school setting.”
– Philly Family Community Member
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
PlayArts
Fishtown
“Our daughter Anna attends and has truly blossomed into the most playful and open toddler. She has grown to interact with others and form friendships as well as express her emotions. I recommend them 10/10!”
– Kori M.
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
Project P.L.A.Y. School
Philadelphia
“Project PLAY centers play and follows the kids’ lead based on what they’re interested in. The kids have a lot of autonomy and get to explore all sorts of crafts, games, and outdoor play in a supportive, caring environment. And the location in the BOK building offers endless opportunities to visit and learn from artists, musicians, makers, and more.”
– Philly Family Community Member
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
St. Paul’s Nursery School
Oreland
“Both of my children have attended/are attending St Paul’s Nursery School (soon to be Caring Branches Early Care and Education Center) and both have had a consistently excellent experience there. The school is welcoming and really engages families as part of the school community. The teaching staff are wonderful and caring and do an amazing job nurturing the kids and supporting their needs. My kids have loved their time at the school and have learnt so much and do so many fun and educational activities there, from Spanish classes and music lessons to petting zoos and nature field trips. The school participates in the Keystone STAR program and it really shows – my eldest was so well prepared by the time she started Kindergarten, she transitioned right in. We feel so lucky to have this school in our community!”
– Philly Family Community Member
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
St. Peter’s School
Philadelphia
“From the minute you enter those red doors you are met with the warmth, kindness, and smiles from parents teachers and children alike. For us, St Peter’s has been a loving and nurturing environment that celebrates its children for who they are and helps them blossom into confident individuals.”
– Paulina G.
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
Stem Prep Academy
Philadelphia
“Ms.Renee and her staff Ms. Kelli and Ms. Naadira have been amazing. I am so proud to have my son attend Stem Prep Academy. He has been using more sight words and learning everything from coding to blood circulation and so much more. In just a few months attending Stem Prep he has tremendously improved his social and cognitive skills. Thank you Stem Prep Academy for your hard work and patience.”
– Ashley M.
“My children have grown up with Aspen Grove. My son is now in kindergarten and was so well prepared that he is able to fly through work. My younger son is loved and is learning so much. The teachers are amazing, and the community is wonderful.”
– Robin G.
“I cannot be more pleased and grateful my son goes here. He has NOT ONCE said “I don’t want to go to school today”. Not once. It’s a testament to the teachers and staff. He is starting off his life loving learning. This school does it right.”
– Eleni D.
2024 LOVE AWARD WINNER:
Excellence in Education
The Philadelphia School
Philadelphia
“A school where kids thrive because they are heard and engaged, where teachers bring joy to their classrooms, and families come together as a community.”
– JJ S.
“Natural Creativity Center is an unparalleled resource for families who choose self-directed learning for their children in lieu of traditional schooling. NC provides a warm, welcoming, and inspiring environment, encouraging young people to explore their own interests and to forge lasting friendships based on a model of non-violent communication. The facilitators at NC are the perfect models for young people to grow into accomplished and independent learners. The center itself offers a plethora of resources, ranging from a woodshop to a fully-equipped kitchen to an art center. Everyone at NC is treated as an equal partner, is heard, and is respected. NC has a commitment to diversity and offers scholarships to families that otherwise could not afford this amazing resource. My daughters have attended NC for the past 6 years and they have become much more confident, independent, and connected as a result.”
– Philly Family Community Member
“Cupola Academy (CA) is the place where my homeschooled teen’s love of learning comes alive. Importantly, my 16 yo son is at the place in his life where he is starting to look ahead and plan his next steps, and the facilitators and programming at CA immerse him in opportunity every step of the way. In addition to intellectual rigor, CA places huge emphasis on student lead learning, collaboration, and skills of emotional intelligence, as well as self reflection and personal growth. From portfolio planning, to college entrance strategy, to dreaming up career possibilities, I trust the CA facilitators with my son’s educational trajectory 100%.”
– Eli M.
These schools and educational resources, our Philadelphia Family LOVE Award Winners and Family Favorite Honorees, have earned their place as trusted institutions for families in the Greater Philadelphia region. Their commitment to fostering learning, creativity, and growth is celebrated through the testimonials of parents who have witnessed the positive effects on their children firsthand. Be sure to explore the Main Line Parent Best for Families Guide and Bucks County Parent Best for Families Guide to find even more resources that can support your family’s educational journey.
Know a fantastic local resource that should be on this list? Share your experience with a Philadelphia Family Member on their Profile Page (we count new endorsements as nominations year-round)! If you’d like to Recommend a Resource that our community should know about, our team will reach out to any referrals with an invitation to join and will mail you a copy of our Community Magazine as a thank you gift. If you would like YOUR organization to be more connected with local parents, caregivers, and family-focused business leaders in our community, we invite you to join our Philadelphia Family Membership Program.
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