The Phelps School

What The Phelps School does

The Phelps School is a private, nonprofit, all-boys boarding and day school founded in 1946 by Dr. Norman T. Phelps, operating on a 70-acre campus at 583 Sugartown Road in Malvern, Pennsylvania, approximately 45 minutes from Philadelphia. It serves roughly 100 students in grades 6 through postgraduate year, drawing from 20 countries and 15 US states. The academic model is built around a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an average class size of 7, supported by the proprietary Phelps Method of relational learning and add-on modules including an Academic Support Program (Tier 1 $7,500, Tier 2 $11,500 per year), an ESL Program ($10,500 per year), and a Dual Credit Program with the University of Pittsburgh and Immaculata University ($225-$375 per college-credit class). The athletics program fields varsity teams in basketball, soccer, cross country, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and claims consecutive regional championships.

The school generates revenue primarily through annual tuition subscriptions: $60,700 for boarding students and $36,250 for day students for the 2025-2026 academic year, supplemented by the ESL, Academic Support, and Dual Credit add-ons, plus a transactional facility-rental stream for athletic fields, gyms, auditorium, and summer dormitories. Go-to-market is sales-led via a traditional private-school admissions process, including campus visits, the Standard Application Online (SAO) and RenWeb inquiry portal, regional recruitment (Phelps on the Road across CT, DE, MD, MA, PA), virtual interviews and iTEP placement for international students, and a Development Office that supports charitable giving. Student outcomes are anchored by a 100% college acceptance rate and dedicated college counseling staff.

Operationally, The Phelps School employs 25-30 faculty and staff (per directory count), with notable recent leadership including Dr. Jack Hasler as Interim Head of School, Stephany Fahey as President, Trey Morin as Director of Athletics, and Charlie Mugford as Director of Enrollment Management. The institution is governed by a Board of Trustees, is not venture- or PE-backed, and operates continuously from its founding location without disclosed M&A or restructuring activity.

Name

The Phelps School

Legal name

The Phelps School

Website

https://thephelpsschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Phelps School is a private, nonprofit, all-boys boarding and day school in Malvern, Pennsylvania, serving approximately 100 students in grades 6-12 and postgraduate from 20 countries and 15 US states. It generates revenue through annual tuition ($60,700 boarding, $36,250 day) plus ESL, academic support, dual-credit, and facility-rental programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJACAJ

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Charter K–12 Schools

Keywords

• College preparatory education
• Boarding school education
• Secondary education
• Academic tutoring
• Private school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Malvern

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Boarding Tuition: Full-time boarding students pay annual tuition covering academic courses, room and board, daily meals, on-campus events, health center services, college counseling, tutorial program, community service trips, and some athletic equipment. Evening proctored study hall included.
2. Day Student Tuition: Day students pay annual tuition covering academic courses, weekday lunch, on-campus events, health services, college counseling, and tutorial program.
3. Academic Support Program (ASP): Additional fee-based personalized academic support for students with learning differences, offering small group and one-on-one instruction.
4. ESL Program: English as a Second Language program for international students at additional annual cost.
5. Dual Credit Program: College credit courses through partnerships with University of Pittsburgh and Immaculata University. Students pay $225-$375 per class for college credit registration.
6. Facility Rentals: Rental revenue from campus facilities including athletic center, gyms, fields, auditorium, and dormitories (summer only).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Phelps School provides all-boys college preparatory boarding and day education for grades 6-12 and postgraduate students on a 70-acre campus in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Core offerings include the boarding program, day program, academic support for learning differences (ASP), ESL instruction, dual credit college courses through university partnerships, competitive athletics, and college counseling services achieving 100% college acceptance.

Product overview

The Phelps School is a private all-boys boarding and day school offering a unified educational product focused on grades 6-12 and postgraduate students. The core offerings consist of Boarding School Education and Day School Education, both built around a college-preparatory curriculum with small class sizes (average of 7 students) and individualized attention. Supporting modules include the Academic Support Program (ASP) for students with learning differences, the ESL Program for international students, and the Dual Credit Program enabling students to earn college credits. The school also provides competitive Athletic Programs (Basketball, Soccer, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Cross Country) and comprehensive College Counseling services. All programs are designed specifically for how boys learn, emphasizing confidence-building, character development, and leadership preparation for college and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Boarding School Education Full-time residential education program for boys grades 6-12 and postgraduate students, offering small class sizes with an average of 7 students, individualized attention, and a college-preparatory curriculum designed specifically for how boys learn. Boarding tuition is $60,700/year and includes academic courses, room and board, daily meals, on-campus events, health center services, college counseling, tutorial program, community service trips, and some athletic equipment.
• Day School Education Day student program offering the same college-preparatory curriculum and academic rigor as the boarding program, with daily lunch in the dining hall and access to after-school activities. Day tuition is $36,250/year and includes academic courses, weekday lunch, on-campus events, health services, college counseling, and tutorial program.
• Academic Support Program (ASP) Structured academic support program for students with learning differences, providing daily small-group instruction (2-4 students) with one-on-one support, tailored coursework assistance, and supplementary assignments designed to build academic skills and study habits. Additional fee applies (Tier One: $7,500/year; Tier Two: $11,500/year).
• ESL Program English as a Second Language program for English language learners, offering individualized level-appropriate instruction in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, aligned with TESOL proficiency levels. Includes iTEP testing for placement. Additional fee of $10,500/year applies.
• Dual Credit Program College credit program through partnerships with University of Pittsburgh and Immaculata University, offering dual credit courses including International Relations, American Politics, College Composition, Statistics, Calculus, and Advanced Calculus. Open to juniors and seniors. Students pay $225-$375 per class for college credit registration.
• Athletic Programs Competitive athletic program with multiple sports including Basketball (PAISAA championships 2015 and 2024), Soccer (5 consecutive PJAA Championships through 2025), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Cross Country. Programs include varsity, junior varsity, and prep teams at all skill levels, with exposure to college recruiters.
• College Counseling Comprehensive college preparation program offering career exploration, college applications, and financial aid guidance. Includes a College Explorations course for juniors and Transitions to College experience for seniors. 100% of graduates gain admissions to college or university.
• Facility Rentals Rental program for campus facilities including athletic center, gyms, fields, auditorium, and dormitories (summer only), generating additional revenue for the school beyond tuition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of graduates gain admissions to college or university
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual credit program partnership allowing Phelps students to earn college credit for courses including International Relations, American Politics, and Statistics. Students register with the university and receive transcripts upon passing. Classes taught by qualified Phelps faculty with graduate degrees in their field.
• Immaculata UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual credit program partnership offering college credit for College Composition, Calculus, and Advanced Calculus courses. Students receive university transcripts with credit and grade upon successful completion of courses.
• Daniel Gracie MainlineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinor affiliate relationship for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program. The school offers BJJ instruction as part of its athletics program, following the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu methodology.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• George School: A coeducational boarding and day school in Newtown, Pennsylvania (within ~40 miles of Phelps) serving grades 9-12. Comparable on boarding model, small classes, college counseling, and Bucks County/Mid-Atlantic feeder geography, though coed rather than all-boys.

Direct peers

• Woodberry Forest School: An all-boys college preparatory boarding school in Madison, Virginia serving grades 9-12. Comparable on all-boys boarding model, character development emphasis, college counseling, and competitive athletics in Virginia independent leagues.
• Devon Preparatory School: A Catholic, college preparatory, all-boys school in Devon, Pennsylvania serving grades 6-12. Directly comparable on all-boys niche, college-prep curriculum, and small class sizes targeting similar Main Line families.
• Salisbury School: An all-boys college preparatory boarding school in Salisbury, Connecticut serving grades 9-12 and postgraduate. Comparable on all-boys boarding model, postgraduate year, college counseling, individualized instruction, and Northeast boarding market.
• Episcopal High School: A 9-12 all-boys boarding school in Alexandria, Virginia with a college-prep mission and 100% college matriculation. Comparable on all-boys boarding model, residential life, college counseling emphasis, and small class sizes.
• Perkiomen School: A coeducational boarding and day school in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania serving grades 6-12 and postgraduate. Closest peer on boarding/day mix, postgraduate year, small class sizes, and Mid-Atlantic recruitment geography.
• The Haverford School: A pre-K through 12 all-boys college preparatory day school on Philadelphia's Main Line, within ~15 miles of Phelps. Comparable on all-boys prep mission, individualized college counseling, and competitive athletics feeding Pennsylvania independent school leagues.
• The Kiski School: An all-boys college preparatory boarding and day school in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania serving grades 9-12 and postgraduate. Comparable on all-boys boarding mission, postgraduate offering, college counseling, and Pennsylvania athletic leagues.
• The Hun School of Princeton: A college preparatory boarding and day school in Princeton, New Jersey serving grades 6-12 and postgraduate. Comparable on boarding/day model, postgraduate year, small classes, individualized college counseling, and Northeast recruitment geography.
• Malvern Preparatory School: An Augustinian all-boys college preparatory day and boarding school located in Malvern, Pennsylvania — the same town as Phelps. Directly comparable on all-boys mission, college-prep curriculum, athletics, and boarding/day model serving grades 6-12.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThePhelpsSchool
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0H2cM4L3A4VOD4AYIkPBoA
• Facebookfacebook.com/thephelpsschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/thephelpsschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Phelps School