Family relocating for work in Ridley Park (Philadelphia, Chester: school district, college)

[Not-Bob]

I'm looking to relocate later this summer, to work in Ridley Park.

My wife and I have two High School age girls and one Jr High age girl. We've always lived in Texas or the South, so we're expecting some culture shock... However, I'm curious about finding a (somewhat conservative) family friendly, Catholic community within 20-30 min commute (max) of the Boeing facility.

Is Ridley Park a possibility, or do I need to look further at Swarthmore/Newtown, West Chester, or more toward Garnet Valley School district?

Any advice or insights would be appreciated.

[sunguy13]

Media, Swarthmore, Garnet Valley.
Ideally, you should fill out the moving form so people can help you.

[chessimprov]

Ridley park but cyber school is worth considering. Ridley park is a decent school district itself. If your girls are very hard working at indep at academics, cyber school is a great option. Or if they are actresses or preparing to be olympic athletes, cyber school works well. If safety is a concern where you live, cyber is wonderful too.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by sunguy13

Media, Swarthmore, Garnet Valley.
Ideally, you should fill out the moving form so people can help you.

Media Borough (and especially Swarthmore) will probably be a bit left-leaning for their tastes. Garnet Valley (Bethel Township) is probably more up their alley.

When I hear conservative, family friendly, Catholic, and good schools, I think Springfield, Haverford, and Marple-Newtown.

[Dee1323]

With the exception of Swarthmore, you will find big Catholic communities across most of Delco. The Catholics in Swarthmore attend churches in one of the adjacent towns, usually St. John's in Wallingford.

Media is a large town, it has two nice parishes. Their Catholic school, St. Mary Magdalen, is considered one of the best.

In the Ridley School District area, you have 3-4 Catholic schools-there are many Catholics in Swarthmorewood, Folsom, and Woodlyn.

There are three co-ed Catholic archdiocesean high schools and many private, single-sex Catholic ones. There are too many Catholic elementary schools to mention, and also a few private Catholic elementaries.

While you aren't going to find Texas/Southern conservative areas here, much of south Delco tends to be more conservative politically than Philadelphia. Again, I'm excluded Swarthmore here, which, with a college and Quaker roots, is a bit of a liberal island.