The Perkiomen Experience

Boarding or day, domestic or international, upper school or middle school...make the most of your Perkiomen School experience!

Perkiomen School Boarding students and parents in classroom on Pennsylvania campus.

There are so many things I love about Perkiomen, but I’d have to say my two favorites are the close relationships you make with teachers and faculty, and how there are opportunities to try new things.

At Perkiomen, I have close relationships with all of my teachers, which helps them to tailor the way they are teaching to be a perfect fit for me. It also means the bond is stronger between teachers and students and therefore the classes are more interesting.

There are also so many opportunities to try new things, whether it’s a new sport, a new instrument, or class. You are accepted by everyone no matter your skill set and experience, which makes doing new things much more fun than scary or intimidating.

Mia Skuraton '22, Mendham, NJ, USA

Motto

Solvitur Vivendo

While the literal translation of the Perkiomen School motto is "it is solved by living," the interpretation of the Latin is closer to "experience is the best teacher" or "we learn through experience." Colloquial usage might even allow for "the learning is in the doing." However one interprets our motto, the Perkiomen mission and philosophy embrace hard working, inquisitive, ethical, and independent learners.

Weekends

Weekends offer something for everyone! Trips are frequent, including malls, movies, skiing, rock climbing, college fairs, shows, amusement parks, and college visits. New York City and Philadelphia are in easy reach for everything from Broadway plays to professional sporting events. And weekends almost always include outings to the regional shopping capital King of Prussia Mall or the Philadelphia Premium Outlets as well as trips to the local Walmart, a popular destination for all the essential supplies of boarding school life.

Weekend meals begin with brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Weekend dinners are from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Dining Hall

The school dining hall, Parents Hall, is operated by Alan Kern and his staff from Sodexo. Meals are served buffet style or on the cafeteria line. Breakfast includes a cereal bar and Belgian waffle station each day. Lunch offers a salad bar, deli station, hot bar and service on the cafeteria line. Dinners are served buffet style, with a varying menu each day and special holiday meals throughout the year.

Every effort is made to assist anyone with a special diet or other dietary restrictions.

Breakfast is served each weekday from 7:30 a.m. until 8:10 a.m.
Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dinner is served from 6 – 7 p.m.
Weekend meals begin with brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Weekend dinners are from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

There are several holiday or special meals throughout the year that many students mention as one of their favorite Perkiomen School traditions, including: Lunar New Year Dinner, Black History Month Dinner, Thanksgiving, and the Dumpling Festival.

Dress Code

On Mondays, students wear formal dress throughout the academic day, including a navy blue blazer, dress shirt + school tie or blouse, dress slacks or skirt, and dress shoes.

On Tuesdays-Fridays during the academic day, the standard dress is more relaxed. Students wear a Perkiomen polo shirt with Chino-style dress pants/belt or skirt. Bermuda-style or knee-length shorts can be worn during September and May. A Perkiomen school sweatshirt may be worn over the polo.

The full dress code can be found in the Perkiomen School Community Handbook.

Community Handbook

There is a uniqueness about Perkiomen School. Our community both celebrates individuals and values our collective impact. Understanding our culture and being well-versed in the general expectations are essential.

Communities work well when our communication is strong and each of us understands the basic tenets of living and learning together. Structure, support, trust, dignity, respect, and honor go hand-in-hand to guide students, colleagues, and families toward success here, in college, and in life. The Community Handbook outlines the various expectations by which we all live during the year, expectations that build a culture of trust, support, honesty, and integrity that foster a sense of dignity and respect for each other at all times. These are not just words on a page. In order to live and work and thrive in the Perkiomen School community, we must embrace these behaviors.

Chapel/Morning Meeting

The Perkiomen community often gathers in the Mesnier Chapel for school events, and most students casually refer to that gathering as "Chapel." However, Perkiomen welcomes students and faculty of all faiths and we have no particular religious affiliation.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper School community gathered in the Chapel for Morning Meeting, while the Middle School community gathered in Kehs Hall. The entire school community would gather together in the Chapel on Fridays. These meetings include everything from announcements of birthdays, gatherings, and student accomplishments, to programs and presentations. We have recently transitioned to hosting these meetings via Zoom, because of Health and Safety concerns, but hope to return to this tradition some day soon.

As one of our favorite traditions, the Morning Meeting is a place to learn how to say "Happy Birthday" in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, and more, and to start your morning off with an inspiring "Quotation of the Day."

Risk Becoming Your Best