'Public Service' Charter School Planned At Valley Forge Military Academy

WAYNE, PA — In September, news broke that Valley Forge Military Academy will be closing at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.

The storied academy's future was in question after the announcement. But no longer is there a mystery of what will happen with the facility.

Valley Forge Military Academy will be transformed into Valley Forge Public Service Academy Charter School.

"To cultivate academic excellence, servant leadership, and strong moral character, preparing students to lead with purpose and succeed in tomorrow’s workforce and communities," the new website's mission statement reads."

According to the website, graduates of the charter school "will emerge as confident, disciplined, and service-minded leaders, exemplifying leadership, scholarship, and character in their lifelong commitment to community."

Curriculum will lead students to leadership roles in public service sectors, including law enforcement, firefighting, emergency response, and military service.

"Our mission is to provide a rigorous, service-oriented education that emphasizes character, discipline, academic excellence and career readiness," the website reads.

The school plans to open for the 2026-27 school year in September 2026, with 150 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students.

However, the school's opening is subject to approval from the Board of the Radnor School District, which will hold public hearings on the charter school’s application for a five-year charter.

After opening in September 2026, the school will grow one grade each year until it has grades six to 12.

Leading the charter school project are Stephen Flavell as founder and CEO, Chris Massaro as the board president, Matthew D. Kass as the board vice president, and Michelle Thornton as the board treasurer. Learn more about the four online here.

School officials also plan to add 30 units of affordable housing in the academy barracks and a community center for Radnor residents.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports this marks the third attempt to turn Valley Forge Military Academy into a charter school, with the previous go-arounds failing due to a lack of support from the Radnor Township School District.