What Delaware Valley Friends School does

Delaware Valley Friends School is a private, nonprofit, Quaker-affiliated independent school founded in 1987 and located at 19 E. Central Avenue, Paoli, Pennsylvania, approximately 25 minutes from Center City Philadelphia. It serves students in grades 1 through 12 who have language-based learning differences — including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, processing speed challenges, auditory processing disorder, expressive/receptive language disorder, and non-verbal learning disability — drawn primarily from the Delaware Valley region spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The school's defining academic asset is its IMSLEC-accredited, IDA-recognized Orton-Gillingham based literacy program, the first area program to receive IMSLEC accreditation, delivered by faculty in which every teacher is trained as a learning specialist rather than relying on a single pull-out resource teacher.

The core product offering is structured as three sequential division programs (Lower School grades 1-5, Middle School 6-8, Upper School 9-12) supplemented by bundled services that include speech-language pathology, executive function coaching, college counseling via SCOIR, assistive-technology-enabled 1:1 Apple laptop and iPad programs (the first in the region, established 1993), a no-cut interscholastic athletics program, an ABLE adventure-based learning graduation requirement, and the arts and music/performing arts curriculum. Operational technology is conventional EdTech: Schoology for LMS, PowerSchool for SIS, School Messenger and SafeArrival for communications and attendance, TeamSnap for athletics, Applied for equitable hiring, GiveCampus for fundraising, and Brock/Meal Magic/Nutrislice for food service.

The business model is tuition-driven recurring revenue from individual families, with ancillary fees for van transportation from the Philadelphia area counties and certain ABLE international trips. Specific tuition amounts are not publicly disclosed; financial aid is available and administered by the Director of Financial Aid. The school sells directly through a structured admissions funnel — SchoolAdmin online inquiry portal, in-person tours and information sessions, and a free annual Speaker Series used for top-of-funnel community outreach — and complements tuition with Annual Fund, Tax Credit Giving, and 'Lighting the Way' fundraising campaigns via GiveCampus. The school is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, led by Head of School Kirk Smothers, with approximately 90 employees across faculty and staff.

Name

Delaware Valley Friends School

Legal name

Delaware Valley Friends School

Website

https://dvfriends.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Delaware Valley Friends School is a nonprofit Quaker independent school in Paoli, Pennsylvania serving grades 1-12 students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges, using an IMSLEC-accredited Orton-Gillingham program taught by every faculty member.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education / Learning Differences Independent School

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs & Learning Differences Private Schools (EDAJABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB), Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

Keywords

• Special education school
• Learning differences education
• Dyslexia instruction
• College preparatory school
• Quaker independent school

Headquarters

HQ city

Paoli

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition: DVFriends is an independent private school serving grades 1-12. Primary revenue is generated through tuition payments from enrolled families. School lunch is included in tuition.
2. Ancillary fees (van service, ABLE trips): DVFriends charges an annual fee for van transportation from Philadelphia, Bucks, and Montgomery counties. ABLE (Adventure-Based Learning Experiences) overnight trips with air travel have additional costs beyond tuition, though financial aid may be available.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Delaware Valley Friends School is a private, nonprofit, Quaker independent day school serving students in grades 1-12 who have language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. The school delivers a college-preparatory education anchored in an IMSLEC-accredited Orton-Gillingham literacy program, with every faculty member trained as a learning specialist. Core academic instruction is complemented by speech-language pathology services, executive function coaching, arts and athletics programs, the ABLE adventure-based learning program, and comprehensive college counseling.

Product overview

Delaware Valley Friends School is a Quaker school for students in grades 1-12 with language-based learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, executive function challenges, and other learning disabilities). The school operates as a unified educational institution offering three division programs (Lower School, Middle School, Upper School) that build upon each other, supported by an IMSLEC-accredited Orton-Gillingham literacy program. The product portfolio includes specialized academic instruction, comprehensive Arts and Music/Performing Arts programs, Athletics, ABLE (Adventure-Based Learning Experiences) required for graduation, College Counseling, Speech-Language Pathology services, Executive Function Support, and Technology integration via a 1:1 Apple device program. The school emphasizes small class sizes, expert faculty training, authentic teacher-student partnerships, and Quaker values of Care, Equity, Discovery, Courage, and Joy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ABLE (Adventure-Based Learning Experiences): Adventure-based learning program offering experiential education from 1-day programs in Middle School through international expeditions in Upper School.
• Quaker Difference

Products and services

• Lower School Program (Grades 1-5) Foundational academic program for students in grades 1-5 focusing on closing gaps in basic skills (reading, writing, math) using Orton-Gillingham-based multisensory literacy instruction and learning-specialist faculty. Designed for students with language-based learning differences.
• Middle School Program (Grades 6-8) Academic program for grades 6-8 building foundational skills with content-rich courses, quarterly arts rotations sampling artistic disciplines, and continued executive function support for students with learning differences.
• Upper School Program (Grades 9-12) College-preparatory program for grades 9-12 with small class sizes, the IMSLEC-accredited Orton-Gillingham literacy program, and emphasis on self-advocacy and preparation for post-secondary education for students with learning differences.
• Orton-Gillingham Literacy Program IMSLEC-accredited Orton-Gillingham based literacy program teaching decoding, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, reading fluency, morphology, and writing across all school divisions. The first area program to receive this accreditation and recognized by the International Dyslexia Association.
• Speech-Language Pathology Services One-on-one and small group speech-language support targeting speech sound development and language skills, delivered by a full-time Speech-Language Pathologist and integrated with the Orton-Gillingham approach. Included in tuition for enrolled students.
• Executive Function Support Direct support for organization, time and materials management, writing process, and long-term assignment management, integrated throughout the curriculum. Faculty are trained in collaboration with national experts including Sarah Ward, Russell Barkley, and Sam Goldstein.
• College Counseling Comprehensive individualized guidance for college search, selection, applications, and transition including advocacy for accommodations, essay writing support, interview preparation, and use of the SCOIR online portal for tracking college visits and search criteria.
• ABLE (Adventure-Based Learning Experiences) Experiential education program spanning 1-day programs in Middle School through international expeditions in Upper School, including local hiking, boating, biking, rock climbing, and overnight camping trips such as Hawaii and Joshua Tree. Required for graduation.
• Arts Program Comprehensive arts curriculum covering drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, music theory, instrumental and vocal skills, movement, dance, improvisational acting, and photography. Taught by professional artists.
• Music & Performing Arts Tailored music program rooted in improvisation, including annual original student-written musical productions. Theater and movement classes are taught by professional actor Khalil Munir, featuring student-run productions.
• Athletics Program No-cut interscholastic athletic teams including soccer, cross country, tennis, basketball, lacrosse, golf, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. Emphasizes skills development and sportsmanship while remaining competitive.
• Clubs and Activities Dynamic range of student-led clubs including GSA, BSU, Service Club, Yearbook, Peer Connectors, Dungeons & Dragons, Investment Club, and more. Lower school Friday afternoon clubs change based on student interests.
• Summer Program Summer programming for students providing continued academic enrichment and skill development during summer months.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of graduates pursue post-secondary education or workforce pathways
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• ADVIS (Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVFriends partners with ADVIS for the annual parent webinar series, co-presenting expert speakers on topics relevant to families of students with learning differences. ADVIS partners with ISACS (Independent School Association of the Central States) for expanded webinar reach.
• ISACS (Independent School Association of the Central States)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISACS co-presents the ADVIS/ISACS 2025-26 Parent Webinar Series with ADVIS and DVFriends, bringing national speakers (Dr. Lisa Damour, Jonathan Haidt) to the regional independent school community.
• Ultimate Canine (Therapy Dog Training)minorOthersUltimate Canine, located in Indiana, provided extensive training and certification for Rufus, DVFriends' therapy dog, and also certified four handlers at the school.
• Pennsylvania School Districts (Transportation)minorOthersPennsylvania school districts within 10 miles provide daily bus transportation to DVFriends. Currently includes Downingtown, Great Valley, Haverford, Lower Merion, Upper Merion, Owen J. Roberts, Phoenixville, Spring-Ford, Radnor, Rose Tree-Media, Tredyffrin-Easttown, Marple-Newtown, and West Chester.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Siena School: The Siena School is a private school serving grades 3-12 students with language-based learning differences in suburban Maryland (and a Virginia campus). It uses research-based multisensory instruction similar to DVFriends' Orton-Gillingham model and serves a comparable LD student population.
• The Churchill School and Center: The Churchill School is a private K-12 school in New York City for students with language-based learning disabilities. It uses Orton-Gillingham approaches similar to DVFriends and serves a comparable LD student population with individualized instruction and college-prep academics.
• The Gow School: The Gow School is a private college-prep boarding school in South Wales, NY for students in grades 7-12 with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences. It uses Orton-Gillingham methodology and serves a comparable population with similar whole-child, confidence-building ethos.
• The Windward School: The Windward School is a private independent school in White Plains, NY serving students in grades 1-9 with language-based learning disabilities, including dyslexia. It shares DVFriends' model of small class sizes, Orton-Gillingham-based instruction, and integrated speech-language and executive function support.
• The Lab School of Washington: The Lab School of Washington is a private K-12 school specifically for students with learning disabilities including dyslexia, ADHD, and similar language-based learning differences. Like DVFriends, it pairs specialized LD instruction with college-preparatory academics and is a leading national destination school in the same niche.
• The Kildonan School: The Kildonan School is a private co-ed boarding and day school in Amenia, NY serving grades 2-12 students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. It uses Orton-Gillingham instruction and shares DVFriends' focus on college preparation and individualized learning.
• The Vanguard School (PA): The Vanguard School is a private K-12 school in Malvern, PA (near Paoli) serving students with complex language-based learning needs. As a regional peer in the Philadelphia suburbs, it directly competes with DVFriends for similar families in the Delaware Valley.
• Adelphi University / Brehm Preparatory School: Brehm Preparatory School is a co-educational boarding school in Carbondale, IL serving students in grades 6-12 with complex learning disabilities. It shares DVFriends' specialized LD focus, individualized instruction, and college-preparatory mission for students with learning differences.
• The Maplebrook School: The Maplebrook School is a private co-ed boarding and day school in Amenia, NY serving students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. It shares DVFriends' specialized LD focus and serves a similar population with individualized academic and life-skill programs.
• Commonwealth Academy: Commonwealth Academy is a private school in Alexandria, VA serving bright students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. It uses multisensory instruction similar to DVFriends' model and serves a comparable college-preparatory LD student population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DVFSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/dvfschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/delaware-valley-friends-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Delaware Valley Friends School