Mission

Girard College is a full-scholarship college preparatory boarding school that fosters intellectual curiosity, social development and emotional growth in academically focused students from underserved communities. We ensure every student the opportunity and the means to achieve excellence and preparation for advanced education through purposeful academic and residential programs. 

Points Of Pride

Girard College has been a tuition-free full-scholarship boarding school for 175 years. Our beautiful 43-acre campus is a safe educational environment for our scholars. Central to the mission of the school, the Social Impact program is collaborative initiative with nonprofit Global Citizen that elevates the academic rigor to service-learning. As part of Girard’s emphasis on curricular relevance, electives are offered with partner organizations like Mural Arts, Drexel University, and Curtis Institute of Music. Girard’s capstone course on Mass Incarceration with historic Eastern State Penitentiary demonstrates the intersection of the Social Impact program and Campus for the City. Students travel internationally to spark a global perspective which has included Costa Rica, France and Chile in past years. The college-focused curriculum prioritizes skills over memorization and garners 100% strategic placement into post-secondary institutions.

Admissions Policy

Students must demonstrate excellent academic achievement and a strong commitment to our core values: respect, responsibility, courage, compassion, integrity. All applicants must be able to live on campus 5- days a week, from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. Students must also come from a household without two biological parents living together and demonstrate financial need.

Accreditations and Honors

Accredited by The Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; Member of NACAC, ACCIS, ADVIS, PAIS and PACAC.

Hours of Operation

Extended Programming Details

Entrance Instructions