Schools
Radnor School Board Hears Public Service Charter School Academy Proposal
Radnor Township School District Board of Directors heard from representatives of the proposed Valley Forge Public Service Academy Tuesday.
RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — The charter school proposed at Valley Forge Military Academy was discussed Tuesday night in Radnor Township, as the school's future is contingent on approval from the Radnor Township School District Board of Directors.
The board heard from a slew of representatives from the proposed Valley Forge Public Service Academy, including the academy's board president Matt Kass and the academy's CEO Steve Flavel. Additional speakers included Wayne Business Association President Ken Kearns and lifelong Valley Forge Military Academy neighbor Jim Higgins.
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"To cultivate academic excellence, servant leadership, and strong moral character, preparing students to lead with purpose and succeed in tomorrow’s workforce and communities," according to the academy's mission statement.
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," officials said.
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>>>RELATED: Eastern University To Buy Part Of Valley Forge Military Academy & College Property<<<
Some residents Tuesday expressed concerns about the proposal, noting potentially increased traffic due to bussing, issues with housing young people on the same campus as college-aged students, and residents' tax burdens.
The academy plans to open for the 2026-27 school year in September 2026, with 150 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. After opening in September 2026, the school will grow one grade each year until it has grades six to 12.
School officials also plan to add 30 units of affordable housing in the academy barracks and a community center for Radnor residents.
However, this is all subject to approval by the school board, which is hosting another public hearing that will feature questioning of the charter application on Jan. 20, 2026.
The academy submitted a 1,000-page application with 40 exhibits to the district on Nov. 14.
The board will hold another public meeting on the proposed charter school on Jan. 20, 2026.
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