Frequently Asked Questions

DVFriends is located in Paoli, PA, which is at the western end of Philadelphia's Main Line, about 17 miles from the city of Philadelphia. Paoli is located in the Tredyffrin Easttown School District. Click here for a map of the area. 

All DVFriends students have average to superior cognitive capabilities and live with one or more of the following academic or learning challenges:

 

• Specific Learning Disability
• Reading Disorder/Dyslexia
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Executive Functioning Disorder
• Disorder of Written Expression/Dysgraphia
• Mathematics Disorder/Dyscalculia
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Expressive/Receptive Language Disorder
• Memory or Processing Speed Challenges
• Non-Verbal Learning Disability

 

They may also have attentional or organizational issues. Some students may have mild school-based anxiety due to their learning challenges or experiences at previous schools. DVFriends has one school counselor for the Lower and Middle Schools and one for the Upper School. Students who require ongoing social, emotional, or behavioral support may be better served in alternative programs.

Over 60% of the DVFriends faculty have at least 10 years of experience teaching students living with learning differences. Over 70% have advanced degrees. More than half of our faculty have taught at DVFriends for at least five years.

 

 

Our student body consists of 25% students of color. 39% identify as female, 60% identify as male, and .01% identify as non-binary.

 

The school is accredited by SEVIS and is able to enroll mission-appropriate international students. DVFriends is a multicultural community as we have faculty and staff from the UK, India, Ireland, Kenya, and Morocco.

 

Students and faculty have a long tradition of DEIJ work through student government committees, affinity groups, service projects, and social justice action. In the greater Delaware Valley, DVFriends was the first school serving students with learning disabilities to establish an administrative position dedicated to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. We have a long-standing commitment to sending students to the annual People of Color Conference. The Diversity Committee is part of our upper school student government, and we have several subcommittees representing affinity groups within our school community including Black Student Union, Feminism Committee, Latiné Committee, and the GSA (Gender/Sexuality Alliance). DVFriends does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

DV students would tell you that everyone is nervous starting at a new school, but our community of students and adults is so kind, outgoing, and welcoming that friendships are established quickly. Students throughout all three divisions look after one another. We’re a community of about 200 students, so everyone is known at DVFriends.

 

There are several opportunities for new families to meet one another and current families the summer before school starts:

 

Students join DVFriends from public, independent, religious, charter, and home schools. While they live both near and far, most are from the tri-state area - Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Pennsylvania students commute from several surrounding counties (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks) and as far as Harrisburg, Reading, and Lancaster. Our student body represents 76 zip codes and 48 school districts. Some students have relocated during the school year from their home states such as Connecticut and Florida. One of our alums relocated from Amman, Jordan!

In the lower school, there will be some practice of their daily reading and a few math problems. In the middle school, students can expect 15 - 20 minutes of homework in each of the three classes scheduled that day plus a short, daily reading assignment. In the upper school, students can expect an average of 30 minutes of homework in each of the three classes scheduled that day plus managing long-term projects.

 

Please visit the following linked pages to learn about our Quaker mission and how we serve students who learn differently.

 

What is a Quaker School -- learn the basic beliefs, values, and practices that all Quaker schools share and how they come to life at DVFriends.

 

The Quaker Difference at DVFriends -- learn how our Quaker identity and mission to serve students living with a learning disability or difference intersect to create a unique culture and educational experience for our students.

Everyone likes it! Our food provider is Brock and the chef works closely with students and faculty to determine their favorites, allergies, or restrictions while ensuring the menu provides healthy options. Families prepay and pre-order online.