Norwood - Fontbonne Academy

What Norwood - Fontbonne Academy does

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy (NFA) is a private Catholic independent school serving preschool through eighth grade in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1920 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph and operating as a sponsored ministry of that congregation, NFA is the oldest Catholic and independent elementary school in Philadelphia and one of only six Montessori schools in Pennsylvania accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS). The school delivers a dual-path curriculum for ages 3 through third grade, splitting students between an AMS-certified Montessori track and a teacher-led Primary track, which then merge into an Intermediate program (grades 4-5) and a Middle School program (grades 6-8) on two adjacent campuses covering 14 acres and seven buildings. The school has been designated a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.

NFA's core academic product includes the Montessori program (ages 3-9), a Pre-Primary/Primary program (ages 3-5), a Junior Level Montessori (grades 1-3), an Intermediate program (grades 4-5), and a Middle School program (grades 6-8) with college-preparatory orientation. The Middle School uses a "LAUNCH" design thinking cycle, coding, circuits, 3D design, and a Media Advocacy/STEM class that frames global issues through a United Nations lens. Supporting services include more than 60 co-curricular activities, intramural and interscholastic athletics (including the 52nd annual Snowball Tournament), before- and after-care extended day programs, counseling, and an ESF Summer Camps partnership. The school reports that 100% of graduates are actively recruited by the area's top Catholic and independent high schools.

NFA operates an annual subscription revenue model with tiered tuition pricing: preschool/Montessori tuition ranges from $14,350 (5 half-days) to $17,400 (5 full-days); kindergarten tuition is $17,400 for the first child with declining sibling rates; and grades 1-8 inclusive tuition is published upon inquiry. Optional extended day programs add $540-$4,100 per year per family. The school also generates revenue through $110 application fees, a $1,000 non-refundable enrollment deposit, and a charitable giving program (NFA Fund, Aspen Fund, EITC/OSTC, planned giving, and grants), which received a $50,000 grant from The Connelly Foundation in 2025. Customers are B2C families across Southeastern Pennsylvania, with transportation coordinated with 13 school districts and admissions run by a dedicated Director of Admissions (Erin Wallin) using a three-step inquiry/visit/apply motion and event-driven open houses, private tours, and parent-ambassador referrals.

Name

Norwood - Fontbonne Academy

Legal name

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy

Website

https://norwoodfontbonneacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy is a 105-year-old private Catholic independent school in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill, serving preschool through eighth grade with an AMS-accredited Montessori track and a traditional Primary track across two campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Catholic Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Montessori K–12 Schools (EDAJABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Montessori Preschools (EDACABAC)

Keywords

• Private K-8 education
• Catholic elementary school
• Montessori education
• Preschool education
• Independent school tuition

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Preschool/Montessori (Ages 3-4): Annual tuition for half-day and full-day options for ages 3-4. Options include 5 half days ($14,350), 2 full/3 half days ($15,975), 3 full/2 half days ($16,450), or 5 full days ($17,400).
2. Tuition - Kindergarten/Montessori 5 Year Olds: First child pays $17,400; second child $17,000; third child $16,750; fourth child $16,500. Full-day classes from 8am-3pm.
3. Tuition - Grades 1-8: Inclusive tuition covers instructional materials, technology, enrichment opportunities, field trips (up to $40 allotment), learning support services, school publications, staff gift fund, initial student stationery, and homeroom activity fund. Graduation fee of $320 for eighth grade not included.
4. Extended Day Programs: Before Care (7am or 7:15am start) priced from $225/year (1 day/week) to $1,040/year (5 days/week). After Care (3-4:30pm) priced from $540/year (1 day/week) to $2,660/year (5 days/week). Full After Care (3-6pm) ranges from $830/year (1 day/week) to $4,100/year (5 days/week).
5. Tuition Assistance Programs: Need-based tuition assistance is renewable annually, contingent on demonstrated financial need. No specific income level disqualifies families. Processes through Clarity financial aid application.
6. Donations and Grants: NFA Fund, Aspen Fund, planned giving, gifts of appreciated securities, EITC/OSTC programs. Received $50,000 grant from The Connelly Foundation in 2025 for strategic planning with Schultz & Williams.
7. Application Fees: $110 application fee ($30 for siblings of currently enrolled students). Fee covers the cost of the application process and student assessment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy is a private Catholic independent elementary school providing preschool through 8th grade education across two campuses in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill. The school operates a dual-path curriculum that combines an American Montessori Society (AMS) certified Montessori track with a traditional Primary track for ages 3 through Grade 3, which merge into a unified Intermediate program (Grades 4-5) and Middle School program (Grades 6-8). The academy supplements classroom instruction with 60+ co-curricular activities, athletics, extended day care, transportation services, and summer camp programs.

Product overview

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy (NFA) is a private Catholic independent school for preschool through eighth grade located in Philadelphia, PA. Founded in 1920 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, NFA offers a dual academic path system consisting of Montessori and Primary programs for ages 3 through Grade 3, which merge into a unified Intermediate program (Grades 4-5) and Middle School program (Grades 6-8) on two campuses (Norwood and Fontbonne). The school holds American Montessori Society accreditation and has been designated a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. NFA provides educational programs complemented by over 60 co-curricular offerings, athletics, extended day care, transportation services, and summer camp programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Montessori Program (Ages 3-5) American Montessori Society-certified hands-on, individually paced learning experience in a multi-age classroom environment with certified Montessori teachers for children ages 3-5. Tuition ranges from $14,350/year (5 half days) to $17,400/year (5 full days), with kindergarten sibling rates descending from $17,400 to $16,500.
• Pre-Primary Program (Ages 3-4)

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates receive scholarships at percentage in line with or higher than area high schools' overall scholarship percentages
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• State Representative Tarik KhanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026NFA 7th grade students worked with Chestnut Hill College students to write advocacy letters regarding food insecurity. State Rep. Tarik Khan engaged with students to discuss their advocacy efforts, demonstrating civic partnership and experiential learning opportunities.
• Chestnut Hill CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022NFA and Chestnut Hill College formalized a longstanding agreement in June 2022 to establish a partnership in support of Montessori education. NFA has been a leader in Montessori education for more than 50 years and is fully certified by the American Montessori Society. During the course of the year, NFA and CHC co-host Montessori workshops for parents.
• Positive Coaching AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA provides parent workshops during Curriculum Night events. Thomas Evans from PCA facilitates 'The Power of Positive Sports Parenting' workshop to help parents support student-athletes' mental wellness and build positive sports culture.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Shipley School: Independent K-12 college-prep school in Bryn Mawr with comparable tuition, academic rigor, and feeder-school outcomes. Competes for Philadelphia Main Line families at the same premium price point as NFA.
• Friends' Central School: Independent Quaker K-12 school in Wynnewood, PA with a similar progressive/values-based educational approach, comparable co-curricular depth, and overlapping Philadelphia-area feeder geography.
• Waldron Mercy Academy: Catholic K-8 school sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in Bryn Mawr, PA. Closest direct comparator on faith-based sponsorship, K-8 grade span, and Mercy/SSJ heritage families in the Philadelphia metro.
• The Agnes Irwin School: Independent girls K-12 school in Rosemont, PA. Comparable premium independent positioning, college-preparatory academics, and Philadelphia Main Line catchment. A relevant alternative for families considering single-sex versus coed environments.
• Springside Chestnut Hill Academy: Independent private K-12 school located immediately adjacent to NFA in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and demographic targeting of Philadelphia-area families seeking premium independent education.
• Abington Friends School: Independent Quaker K-12 school in Jenkintown, PA — within NFA's transportation district footprint. Comparable in size, mission, and price tier; competes for similar Montgomery County Philadelphia families.
• The Baldwin School: Independent girls K-12 school in Bryn Mawr with similar academic rigor, tuition tier, and strong high school placement outcomes. Functions as a comparable Philadelphia Main Line private-school option.
• Greene Towne Montessori School: Philadelphia AMS-accredited Montessori preschool through elementary school. Most direct competitor in the Philadelphia city Montessori segment for early-childhood and lower-elementary families.
• The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur: Catholic independent school in Villanova, PA sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame. Bridget Bonner (NFA's incoming President) was previously Director of Admissions/Middle School here — institutional and personnel pipeline overlap with NFA.
• Germantown Friends School: Philadelphia independent K-12 Quaker school with a comparable college-preparatory academic profile, robust co-curricular programming, and similar tuition tier. Competes for the same urban Philadelphia private-school family demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nfa1920
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7R1cVHHh4jP21XUfbUxwRw
• Facebookfacebook.com/norwoodfontbonneacademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/norwoodfontbonneacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/norwood-fontbonne-academy

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 Norwood - Fontbonne Academy