The Perkiomen Experience

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 fact remains that experience is the best teacher and the Perkiomen mission and philosophy embrace hard working, inquisitive, ethical, and independent learners.

Perkiomen welcomes students and faculty of all faiths. Every morning, the Upper School community gathers in the Chapel for morning meeting, while the Middle School community gathers in the Nallo Center. The entire community gathers together in the Chapel on Fridays. These meetings include everything from announcements of birthdays, gatherings, and sports, to programs and presentations.

Every Monday, students eat family style dinner with a faculty member and fellow students. Every month seating changes for everyone. This promotes a deeper sense of community and allows the students the chance to get to know one another.

The school dining hall, Parents Hall, is operated by Alan Kern and his staff from Sodexo. Meals are served buffet, sit-down, or on the cafeteria line. Breakfast includes a yogurt bar, 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 and family style, with a varying menu each day. Every effort is made to assist anyone with a special diet or other dietary restrictions. Breakfast is served each weekday from 7 until 7:40 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Formal Dinner on Monday and evenings is family style at 6 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are a buffet 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.

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 pro sporting events. And weekends almost always include outings to the regional shopping capital of King of Prussia or the Philadelphia Premium Outlets as well as trips to Walmart, a popular destination for all the essential supplies of boarding school life.

Meals on the weekend begin at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

H periods are scheduled into our academic day in order to accommodate our various school-wide goals and activities. H periods are a time for events such as student advisory, Community Chapel, and LCA (Leadership, Clubs, and Activities). During advisory, students meet with their faculty advisor to discuss issues surrounding academics, campus events, issues in today’s world, as well as topics focusing on students’ day to day life. Once a month, Perkiomen gathers as a community in Chapel to participate in presentations by students and faculty focusing on themes such as Building Community, Integrity and Honor, and Leadership. H period is also a time when student leadership organizations, clubs, and activities can meet and work together. Whether participating in Student Senate, Knitting Club, or discussing current sports events in the club FanCave, this time slot enables all of the LCA events to meet on a regular basis.

Monday is a formal dress day at Perkiomen. The dress code for both boys and girls: a navy blue blazer, navy blue, gray, black, or khaki pants (no cargo pants or jeans are permitted), a dress shirt, dress shoes or casual shoes, and dark dress socks. In addition, boys need to wear a school tie and girls also have the option of wearing a solid color skirt instead of khakis if they choose. Tuesday through Friday dress is a little more casual. Slacks, Perkiomen School polos, dress or casual shoes, and socks need to be worn. In addition, Bermuda-style shorts can be worn in the months of September and May.