Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Why Shipley

Our Size

Total Enrollment, 2009-10:      847

By Division:

• Lower School    293
• Middle School    210
• Upper School    344

By Gender:

• Boys 454 (51 %)
• Girls  428 (49%)

Size of a typical graduating class: 85

Average class size:

• Pre-K–K — 13
• Grades 1–5 — 15
• Middle School — 17
• Upper School — 12

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Openings for New Students (2010-11 academic year)

We welcome applications for admission to any grade, and anticipate having the most openings at these natural entry points: Pre-Kindergarten,  Kindergarten, and grades one, six and nine.  After the first round of decisions are finalized on February 1, we will continue to review applications on a rolling basis as they become complete.

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Costs Beyond Tuition

Lunch Fees
Lower School $675
Middle School $775
Upper School  $850

Books (costs vary; used books are available) $300-$500

Uniforms
Lower and Middle School Uniforms can be purchased in a variety of price ranges. The Middle School kilt costs $46 new, but can be found second-hand.

Afterschool Programs
The Lower School offers Later Gator and Encore Clubs.

Transportation
(See Transportation Information below.)

Tuition
Tuition by grade is listed in the Tuition Schedule. Additional expenses include required lunches in Middle and Upper Schools, books in Upper School, and uniforms in Lower and Middle Schools

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Financial Aid

We are committed to making a Shipley education accessible to students from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.  Over $3.5 million is awarded to approximately 26 percents of Shipley's students annually.  All awards are based on demonstrated need, and are revised on an annual basis.  Families of students applying to any grade are welcome to apply for financial aid, although aid is most likely to be available at natural entry points to the school.

Information for Divorced and Separated Parents
For applicants with divorced or separated parents, the financial aid committee will consider the assets of both biological parents, if living, before making any award. If the custodial parent has remarried, we also consider the assets of the step-parent, bearing in mind the obligation to his or her own biological children. A Parents' Financial Statement and Federal Income Tax return must be submitted separately by each parent and step-parent and will, of course, be held in strict confidence.

Centennial Scholarships
Applicants for financial aid in grade 9 are eligible to take the Centennial Scholarship Exam in the January prior to entering the school. This provides the winner(s) with 100 percent of demonstrated need for the four years at Shipley.Contact the Admissions Office for more details.

School and Student Services (SSS)
Applications for Financial Aid must be submitted to School and Student Services (SSS). SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information you provide, SSS gives us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses.

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Diversity

Percent of students of color in the School: 17%

View in-depth information about Diversity at Shipley >>>.

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Shipley Busing Information

General Information

School districts provide busing for students who reside within 10 miles of Bryn Mawr
Because of fuel costs, buses will not return for late students.
The following 21 school districts provide free bus transportation.

*Philadelphia does not bus the following grades:

• Pre-Kindergarten
• Kindergarten
• Grades 9 – 12 (trans-passes are available)

How is transportation arranged?

All arrangements for public school busing must be made through the Shipley School Data/Transportation Coordinator, dchandler@shipleyschool.org.

How do I register my child(ren) for transportation?

The School understands that NO transportation is required unless the Data/Transportation Coordinator is notified in any of the following ways:

• Complete an online Transportation Form
• Email Data/Transportation Coordinator, dchandler@shipleyschool.org
  Phone Data/Transportation Coordinator at 610-525-4300 ext 4193
• All new students are sent a pre-populated Confidential Information Summary form upon enrollment. Complete the form, including the Transportation section outlined in red and return to the Data/Transportation Coordinator.

Trains

Shipley is one block from the Bryn Mawr train station on SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Line (formerly the R5). Trains originating from both east and west make stops at the Bryn Mawr station approximately every half hour and more frequently during rush hour. Timetables and further information are available from SEPTA at 215-574-7800, or on the web at http://www.septa.org/. Reduced-fare monthly passes are available. Call the school 610-525-4300 for directions from the station.

Car Pools

The Shipley School does not have any formal arrangement for car pools. However, class mothers or a neighboring parent might be able to help.

If you have any other questions or concerns, regarding your township bus transportation, that have not been addressed here, please email The Shipley School Data/Transportation Coordinator, dchandler@shipleyschool.org, or call extension 4193.

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