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. DVFriends has a Speech-Language Pathologist on staff, but students who need more than one or two support sessions per week may require external providers after school hours. DVFriends does not currently offer Occupational Therapy, nor does the school provide or support one-on-one aides in the classroom. Students must be able to manage the curriculum and school day with the supports provided by our classroom teachers and staff.

Over 60% of the DVFriends faculty have at least 10 years of teaching experience. More than half of our faculty have taught at DVFriends for at least five years. DVFriends invests in faculty professional development, offering in-house training in our proprietary Orton-Gillingham-based language arts teacher training program, and offering access to national experts in ADHD, Executive Function support, and writing and math instruction. DV faculty are encouraged to pursue professional development and attend conferences in their specialties and in best practices in educating and supporting students with learning differences.

 

 

Our student body consists of 35% students of color. 42% identify as female, 54% identify as male, and 4% identify as non-binary.

 

The school is accredited by SEVIS and is able to enroll mission-appropriate international students. 

 

Students and faculty have a long tradition of inclusion and social justice work through student committees, affinity groups, service projects, and social justice action. Current affinity groups include BSU (Black Student Union), Belonging & Inclusivity Group, Gender & Sexuality Alliance (both middle and upper school groups), and Middle school BIPOC Group. Other recent groups include JSU (Jewish Student Union) and Feminism Group. Our affinity spaces in any given year are based on student interest and initiative. 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 and faculty/staff to the annual Student Diversity Leadership and People of Color Conferences, as well as the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference. 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 215 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 43 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 online. Beginning fall 2025, lunch will be included in every student's tuition. The cafe serves limited breakfast options in the morning, snacks during Community Time, and a full lunch for each division every day. Click here for more information and current lunch menus.