Padua Academy

905 North Broom Street

Wilmington, DE 19806

5 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by student on August 16, 2018

As a former student that attended this high school, I can say that the education in which I received here was beyond satisfactory. Not only did this school more than prepare me for the college environment, but Padua Academy also allowed me to grow into a confident and capable leader for my future education. There are numerous good things about this school: the friendly staff, the amount of time and effort the teachers put into teaching their students, and the shaping of young girls into intelligent and powerful young women. While there were unquestionably good parts about Padua Academy, like other schools, the all-girls learning establishment certainly had its downsides. One in which I encountered was the cliqueyness of some of the girls, most notably with the younger grades in my time there. If you did not meet the "ideal standard" or play a popular sport, mainly cheerleading and volleyball, you were as I call it, "socially segregated" by most of the other girls. However, this mostly disappears typically around Junior year, at that point the only thing that most girls are focused on is graduation and college applications. The next unsatisfactory thing I would say about this school is the lack of ADA accommodations and the way the school handles mental illness. In my time there, the administration, and sometimes the students, would treat my illness as if it was a joke. I was often told that my illness was all in my head, that I needed to learn to stop overreacting so much and learn to be more outgoing. Because of this, I would often see another person within the school to talk about my problems. In all honesty, the person I chose was more helpful for me than the person that I was assigned to. So yes, more than prepared me for the college environment (college is a cakewalk compared to this school) as well as gearing me towards both adult life and a life of service. I have heard that a lot of the amazing teachers that make Padua so astounding are beginning to leave, and I surely do not hope it's affecting the school in any negative way. While the school seriously needs to work on some crucial factors such as ADA, the seriousness of mental illness, and the "social segregation" thing with its younger students, if you are looking for a quality education that will guarantee a successful young lady, Padua Academy is the definite way to go.
Submitted by other on March 14, 2018

This school is an embarrassment. There is little or no critical thinking, nor is there likely to be anytime in the future because there is no willingness to change the school culture. In a nutshell, this school does not empower young ladies, but actually has the opposite effect. The curriculum is weak. There are definitely better options out there.
Submitted by student on June 01, 2017

Sure, Padua Academy HAD wonderful teachers, but more and more of the iconic staff is leaving due to the changes in Padua and the unfair treatment to staff and some students who do not meet administrations 'ideal student' requirements. The teachers I encountered, specifically in the language department, have changed me and caused me to see my full potential and build my self confidence. The teachers are purely what makes the school worth suffering with the administration and unfair treatment, but most of the amazing teachers are now leaving. The school does not accommodate students with long term physical disabilities and especially is non accommodating to students with mental disorders, and refuse to follow ADA laws. Administration and the guidance office made me feel horrible for issues I could not help, and even the head of guidance told me my mental disorder was a lie, even after knowing me and seeing me in and out of hospitals throughout my four years. While some of the teachers I had understood, many were blind to it. The teacher quality is decreasing rapidly as the backbone of the Padua educators are running out the doors. I will admit that it was a good education, but it was hell to deal with. The school prides itself on living like Jesus, but in reality they are a bunch of hypocrites who disappoint God by their behaviors and actions on students who do not meet the 'Perfect Padua Girl Criteria'. That being said, "Be who you are and be that well" can not be lived out and accepted. Many family's are either blind, brainwashed, or too scared to accept the reality of how bad Padua truly is, but for some students, it is all we know and we are screaming to make the truth be told.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2013

OK, this is a academic school for girls that are academically advanced. Every year the number of applicants grows. My daughter loves this school, however, coming from public school I am not sure how much information gathering goes into "accepting' a student. There is a placement test the girls take and I am not sure, but I think they base placement soley on these test scores. My daughter missed the next level up for class placement by 2 and 3 points and this was not evaluated by the school they just placed her in the lower level classes. So my daughter, who, in her public schoo, was in the highest level classes and the gifted program, is now in low level classes and repeating material that she has already completed. To say she is bored is an understatement! My advice: YOU know your child and what she is capable of, request changes to her schedule if you feel she can achieve more. This will impact my daughters future classes and college acceptance.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2012

The education my daughter received was outstanding. She excelled in college and continues to volunteer. It was money well spent.