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 2026 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 by AMC Photography.

“It only took a few weeks for AIM to transform my son’s confidence. He found his ‘people,’ feels understood, and is absolutely thriving. At the beginning of the year, he said to me with amazement, ‘Mom, the teachers LOOK at me.’ He was used to being dismissed and treated as a burden, which is heartbreaking. He still expresses his gratitude every day and even wants to attend the summer program. This school gives kids the education and attention that every student deserves, and that is their mission. They see each child for their strengths and help them learn to navigate their differences. I cry tears of joy when I think about what a relief it is to have my son in a supportive environment and I’m willing to bet that you will, too.”

– Philly Community Parent

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“The impact and development that Amigos has had on our son is critical and profound. It isn’t only learning fundamental academic skills (as if that wasn’t enough), but also the development of human interaction, manners, confidence, how best to exist in this world, in this life. Is is said those first 4-5 years are unbelievably important and if done well, that child is on a path to a wonderful future – and Amigos has now, without a doubt, been part of that work, of that effort. From the moment he is greeted at the door in the morning to the walks through the halls to the ‘salones’ and activities to the special events and finally to the ‘adios / chau’ at the end of every day with a hug. Each of your faces, your smiles, your jokes, and even hugs are greatly cherished by our family. The Amigos staff carries with them hundreds of kids’ faces and names and personalities. Our son will exit Amigos with a handful of teachers and staff that he will remember forever.”

– Raul S.

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“I’ve had an extremely positive experience with this preschool. The staff are loving, attentive, and deeply committed to a child-centered approach. I have personally witnessed teachers engaging with children in thoughtful, respectful ways, supporting both their emotional well-being and their natural curiosity. The environment feels nurturing, calm, and intentional, and it’s clear the teachers truly care about each child as an individual.”

– Regina

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“Since joining Center School, our child has gained the tools to approach reading with confidence, found a creative outlet through art, and made impressive progress in math. Center School has created an environment where our child feels challenged, supported, and excited to learn.”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“Clementine Montessori is such a warm, welcoming school. The teachers are caring and attentive, and the environment really encourages kids to grow independently and at their own pace. You can tell a lot of thought goes into creating a calm, supportive space for learning. It feels like a true community, and I’d definitely recommend it to families looking for a Montessori education.”

– Philly Community Parent

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“Cupola Academy is a secular academic homeschool program that our children and family have benefited from for years. Their caring and knowledgeable facilitators make learning fun, they are not only responsive but proactive in helping our neurodivergent children thrive. The young people work in small groups so they are constantly practicing how to work with others and the curriculum is interest driven and covers all academic areas! Having Cupola in our lives makes homeschooling our children possible!”

– Dana R.

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“My wife and I send our two kiddos to Fishtown Montessori and couldn’t be happier. Their indoor/outdoor activity space in the city ensures that the kids interact with nature daily, no matter the weather. The teachers are so lovely and the students are great! So glad we chose FM!”

– Jen

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“Our child has been part of the Frankford Friends School family since Pre-K, and watching the growth over these years has been truly remarkable. What started as a shy, curious little kid has blossomed into a confident, thoughtful young person who is genuinely excited about learning. FFS didn’t just educate our child — it helped shape a strong sense of self, a love of community, and the resilience to take on new challenges. As we look ahead to high school next year, we couldn’t feel more grateful for everything FFS has given our family.”

– Philly Community Parent

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“Our kids have been at FCS since kindergarten and pre-k. The Quaker values are wonderful educational, personal, and life values and they live and breathe these every day. The academics are top notch with STEM research opportunities, robotics, amazing theatre and music and visual art courses and extra-curricular opportunities, and a strong sports program. It is so well rounded so each type of child finds their place, whether on the field, on a stage, in the maker space, the library, or in the many ways friend groups widen and deepen and shift through high school. Our senior is extremely well prepared for college and got into all three of his top choices. The service component is woven into the school from start to finish, giving these young people a sense of their responsibility to shape and nurture the world, a value that they will carry with them. Students learn to speak up for themselves through small class sizes and school meetings where their voice matters.”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“Greene Towne Montessori School has been an incredible gift to our family.
From the moment we joined, we felt confident that our children were in the best possible hands. The teachers are deeply dedicated, compassionate, and thoughtful in their approach, creating an environment where our children feel safe, nurtured, and inspired to learn. We’ve watched them truly thrive—academically, emotionally, socially, and physically—within this Montessori setting. As newcomers to Philadelphia, choosing the right school was one of our most important decisions, and Greene Towne has made us feel completely at home. It’s not just a school—it’s a community. We’ve been welcomed into a warm and supportive network of educators, children, and fellow parents, and have formed meaningful friendships with families we met through the school. We cannot recommend Greene Towne highly enough. It has made all the difference in our lives.”

– Jessica R.

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“Little City Montessori is an incredibly special school and early learning environment. I feel so lucky that my kids are growing in such a loving place. The teachers and staff are exceptional and take the time to know each child. They nurture curiosity, independence and compassion and help kids become kind, global citizens who are intrinsically motivated to learn. My kids love going to school! The classrooms are full of natural light and each corner has lessons that are meaningful and thoughtfully put together. They explore science, math, nature, language and when you walk into the classroom, you can see that the teachers and students are genuinely enjoying themselves. I truly feel that I’ve found my community with Little City.”

– Philly Community Parent

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“Mi Casita has been incredible for our family in many ways in addition to our four-year-old’s amazing Spanish language growth: the teachers and school administration have created a warm, inclusive, loving environment and a true sense of community for us. The project-based learning is excellent and we’ve been continually impressed by how the teachers are helping to build confidence in the children. Our family is very thankful to be a part of this organization.”

– Jessica R.

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“Norwood-Fontbonne Academy is a standout choice for Best Private School because it truly puts families and students at the center of everything it does. Serving students from early childhood through eighth grade, NFA combines academic excellence with a deep commitment to faith, character, and community. What sets Norwood-Fontbonne Academy apart is its nurturing environment paired with high expectations. Students are known, supported, and challenged — academically, socially, and spiritually. Small class sizes, dedicated educators, and a values-driven curriculum ensure that every child’s strengths are recognized and developed.”

– Philly Community Parent

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“Our three year old daughter started attending PCA’s Early Childhood program earlier this school year, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice of school. Not only is she picking up Mandarin, she is also learning amazing life skills as part of their Montessori program. We’ve seen her independence blossom under her teachers’ instruction. As a bonus, we love seeing what she does in school via photos, newsletters, and classroom observations. The Thanksgiving feast was a great showcase of what the kids have learned: they rearranged the classroom and also prepared food for the adults! I look forward to the school’s upcoming Chinese New Year Celebration for families too; I can’t wait to see what the kids have prepared for us. The PCA staff should be very proud of building such a wonderful school.”

– Fangfei S.

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“This is a decade old program that still doesn’t get the notoriety it should. The Schuylkill Center is a gorgeous piece of land, and nature preschool kids get to explore it everyday. Classrooms are warm and well-stocked with natural toys, the teachers are the best of the best, and there are multiple options – full day, half day, 3x a week, all outdoor classes, hybrid indoor/outdoor classes.My daughter is in her second year and learning her letters while also being able to identify a mushroom species from 20 yards out. Every kid 3-5 should spend their days like this, with so much outdoor time and sensory play and in such a beautiful setting.

– Melissa D.

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“This service is heaven sent! As my daughter transitioned to a middle school without any school bus transportation, I chose to carpool for two years but could no longer do it because of my schedule for work. There are NO Car Services in Philadelphia that transport kids to school and then Shuttlebee came along. This service is dependable, organized and fills a significant need for children to get to school in a safe manner especially for children who live far away from the school. The prices are affordable and the service is invaluable. I would look to see this expand to help many more children in the city and for Shuttlebee to have the necessary funding to support this great endeavor. I’m ever so grateful to Kristina and her team!”

– Raphaela B.

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“St. Peter’s School deserves to be recognized because they don’t just educate kids — they see families and they show up with heart, consistency, and care. Our family’s experience with St. Peter’s has been marked by the kind of steady support you feel in your bones: teachers who know your child as a whole person, staff who communicate clearly and respectfully, and a school culture that feels grounded in values, community, and real attention — not just ‘good on paper.’ One moment that stands out was when my child was going through a stressful stretch (academically and emotionally), and instead of treating it like a problem to manage, the team treated it like a child to support. Mr. Prichard and Ms. Soriano went above and beyond — checking in, offering practical options, and making sure my child felt capable and cared for. That kind of follow-through isn’t automatic. It’s a choice, and they choose it.”

– Lisa Q.

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“As our child ‘graduates’ from The Aspen Grove School this summer after four years, it’s hard to imagine our lives without this community. She has thrived at this school — developing a love for learning, her friends, and her teachers. From nature-based projects to Spanish and soccer, the enrichment has been incredible. Knowing our child’s education and well-being were in such caring hands has been a true gift. We highly recommend AGS.“

– Flannery S.

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“My twins are currently enrolled in CCS as part of the preK program. They speak of their teachers Mazel and Kalia like they are family. Every day we get an emailed summary of the highlights of the day and the ongoing themes discussed in class, as well as some photos. The kids are always being active, whether it is running around outside, climbing on the gymnastics equipment in the common room, or playing with the STEM material in the classroom. So many smiles!!! There are also occasional community events which allow for connecting with other families. Lastly, one of my sons is deaf/hard of hearing, and the CCS staff is sensitive to his needs, ensures he wears his equipment, and if he takes it off (as three-year-olds can do on whim), it is not lost. CCS is a positive community to which I am grateful that my family is a part.”

– Rob R.

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“The Goddard School of Philadelphia at 22nd and Pine is exceptional! The facility is well-run, beautiful, and welcoming! Parent communications are timely and clear. My daughter has attended full time since infancy, she’s now two years old, and all of the teachers she’s had have been consistent and phenomenal – we feel confident dropping off everyday and know that our daughter is having the best time because of the 6+ pictures and videos we get throughout the day. There are also lots of events and things to be a part of which exemplify the strong community the school has established. Love being part of this Goddard family!”

– Hilari O.

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“The Goddard School at 23rd and South in Philadelphia has provided expert care for my toddler, a warm and welcoming environment, and a community for parents. We are so grateful for all they do and have been blown away by their expertise, compassion, and dedication to the children and families of their school and surrounding neighborhood.”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“We enrolled our child because it was very close to our house but really love it here so far! The facility is very clean because it is brand new, and they also have a back yard play space where kids can go out when it’s warmer. The updates we get everyday with photos and details of every meal and nap time are extremely helpful and everyone has been so responsive and courteous to our questions and concerns. The admin is also responsive to our emails and the teachers are amazing as well. My kid isn’t a picky eater but she also loves the food there and might be eating healthier than when she does at home because they provide nutritious meals. Would 100% recommend!!! Gem in our neighborhood.”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“After my child started first grade, I became concerned that her reading skills were falling behind and that her school did not have the resources to help her catch up and stay on track. She had very low confidence in her ability to read and significant anxiety about getting answers wrong. I found The Learning Specialist, which seemed like a perfect fit for my child. Racquel, the owner, immediately stood out as someone who could help. Racquel created an individualized tutoring plan not only to help my child build reading skills, but also to help me better understand how to advocate for her needs. In just five months, the transformation has been remarkable. My child has gone from completely shutting down around reading to actually enjoying it. Reading together is now a positive, stress-free routine. While the academic progress has been impressive, the most meaningful impact is on my child’s confidence and emotional well-being. Instead of shutting down when something feels hard, she now engages, tries, and perseveres—even when she knows she might get the answer wrong. That shift has changed not just how she learns, but how she sees herself as a learner.”

– Lindsey D.

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“What I appreciate most about my child’s Montessori education is her genuine love of learning and excitement about going to school each day. Even at a young age, her ability to focus and engage deeply with her work is remarkable. The teaching approach at The Montessori School nurtures both her curiosity and her concentration — and it shows in how much she’s growing, both academically and personally.”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“Penn Charter welcomed our child, handled things the correct way, and our child is thriving because of it!”

-Philly Family Community Parent

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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 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.