Academics

Back to School 2026-2027

Back to School Information for Incoming Freshmen and Returning Students for the 2026-2027 School Year
Our Back to School page is designed to help prepare you and your son for the upcoming academic year.
Note: Resources for the 2026-27 school year will be posted throughout the summer, so please check back often.

Essential School Information

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  • Attendance/Orah

    Report via Orah: You must use Orah, the school's official attendance program, to communicate any absence, lateness, or early dismissal.
    • When to notify: Report absences and lateness before 8:15 a.m. * Report early dismissals before 12:00 p.m.
    • Understand Activity Restrictions: Students who are absent are not allowed to attend or participate in any co-curricular activities that day.
    • Note the Administration Exceptions: Co-curricular participation may be allowed only if the administration receives documentation for one of these specific reasons:
      1. A pre-excused cause
      2. A college interview
      3. Attendance at the funeral of a relative or close friend

  • Calendar

    Click here for instructions on how to synch the parent calendar to your phone and/or personal calendar. 

  • Daily Schedule

    View daily schedule here

  • Emergency Protocol

    Information coming soon.

  • Inclement Weather

    Information coming soon.

  • myPrep Access

    Click here for a student guide to access your myPrep account.
    Click here for a parent guide for setting up your myPrep account.

Health & Wellness

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Programs & Events

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  • Freshmen Orientation

    • Sep 2, 2026 and Sep 3, 2026
    • 8:30am - 2pm 
    • Lunch will be provided 
    • Transportation will run normal in the AM and depart at 3:20pm in the PM. 
    • Students are permitted to dress casually and comfortably for orientation 
      • Students must wear sneakers. Please do not wear flip-flops, crocs or sandals. Tank tops are not permitted. Hats are not permitted to be worn inside the building at any time.
    • Those that attended a summer program should bring their laptop
    • The only supplies required for the Orientation Day are a book bag, a student Chromebook (if received in advance), and writing utensils (pens or pencils). Once students arrive, they will receive:
      • A Chromebook (unless they already received one at a Prep summer program)
      • A Class of 2029 T-Shirt
      • A Class of 2029 Tie
      • A Master Lock (for their locker)

Prohibited Items & Grooming

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  • Compliance & Violations

    Unsure about an item? If a student is uncertain whether an article of clothing or footwear is acceptable, he should check with the Dean of Students before wearing it to school.

  • Hair & Facial Hair

    Must be kept clean, neat, and well-groomed at all times.

  • Hats & Jewelry

    Hats are strictly prohibited during school hours. Only one small, stud-type earring per ear is permitted. Jewelry or clothing with offensive or inappropriate messages is banned and subject to confiscation.

  • Layering Restrictions

    Sweatshirts, pullovers, and fleeces may not be worn at any time during the school day (including underneath suit coats). Check with the Dean regarding approved sweaters.

Logistics & Services

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  • Bus Transportation

    • Prep bus
      • Buses (1-13) arrive between 7:50 and 8:15 a.m. and depart at 5:20 p.m. for students engaged in co-curricular activities. Transportation reimbursement is provided by the following school districts: Abington, Colonial, Cheltenham, Springfield (Delco), and Upper Darby.
    • District bus
      • School districts providing direct busing to the Prep are Haverford, Lower Merion, Marple-Newtown, Radnor, and Springfield (Montco). Residents should contact their districts for details.
    • SEPTA/PATCO
      • Students residing in Philadelphia farther than 1.50 miles for the Prep are eligible to receive a free weekday student pass. These passes are valid on all SEPTA transportation.
      • Students residing outside of Philadelphia are eligible to purchase discounted weekly Student Regional Rail passes directly from the Prep. These passes are valid on all SEPTA transportation and are only able to be used Monday-Friday during the school year.
        • The cost is $23.60 per week.
    • Suburban Station Shuttle-
      • AM Shuttle- Prep Van that departs at 7:30am and 8:15am. First Student bus that arrives at 7:15am and departs at 8:00am
      • PM Shuttle- Prep Van that departs at 3:00pm and 4:00pm. First Student bus departs at 5:20pm.
    Please contact the transportation office at transportation@sjprep.org or visit our transportation page with any questions.

  • Dining Plans

    Welcome to SAGE Dining at the Prep. @prepsage

    Each new student has a lunch account with our partner, My Kids Spending. To create your student's log in, manage their spending habits and to add funds please go to https://www.mykidsspending.com/logon.

    Once there, click the Green button at the bottom of the screen- Create Account or Add student. You can choose how you would like to receive email communication and choose how you would like to add funds. If you choose to add funds electronically, there is a fee to process credit/debit cards.  If you choose to send in cash, the cashiers can add it to your son's account without a fee. Please be mindful of setting up email notifications for when funds are low. Funds need to be on the account to purchase food and beverages.

    You can also access our menu on line at any time, or download the Touch of SAGE app. Please look for the Allergen symbols at the bottom of each food item. We work closely with Dieticians to ensure all allergens are labeled with a symbol. If you have questions regarding allergens, our menu or your son's lunch account, please contact us at 2048@sagedining.com.

  • School Store

    The Prep Shop will be open 11 am to 3 pm 3 days a week that the School is open, with extended hours of operation during registration periods, the first two weeks of classes, and all special campus events (e.g., open house, acceptance night, sporting events).  

    The full schedule will be announced later this summer. 

  • Upperclassmen Parking

    Information coming soon.

Academic Preparation

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  • School Supplies

    Students will receive a Prep-issued Chromebook during orientation (or during the Pre-9th Program for those who participate). Recommended general supplies include notebooks, pens, pencils, and folders/binders.

  • Student Schedules

    Schedules will be released on August 14.

  • Summer Assignments

    English
    • AP IV Literature & Composition – read Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro 
    • AP III Language & Composition – read Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
    • Honors English II – read Being There by Jerzy Kosinski
    • Honors English I – read Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx
    • Optional Summer Reading Letter: Here
    • Optional Summer Reading Recommendations: Here
    • Textbooks provided. Notebook recommended.
    History
    • Click here for summer assignments.
    Math
    Click here to access the full PDF.

  • Textbooks, Workbooks, etc.

    All course-specific materials (i.e., textbooks, workbooks, access to digital books, etc.) will be provided in class.

Daily Uniform Requirements

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  • Daily Uniform Requirements

    The full uniform must be worn from the moment a student steps onto campus until the conclusion of the school day.

  • Dress Shirt & Tie

    Dress Shirt & Tie: Shirts must be completely tucked in at all times. Top shirt buttons must be fastened, and ties must be properly knotted at the collar. Students may wear any color dress shirt they would like with the exception of Hawaiian and flannel shirts are not permitted. (Long-sleeved shirts may not be worn under short-sleeved dress shirts).

  • Footwear & Socks

    Footwear & Socks: Dress shoes and socks are required. Not permitted: Sneakers, boots, slippers, sandals, or flip-flops. (Note: A doctor's note must be presented to the Dean's Office to wear alternative footwear for a foot injury).

  • Pants & Belt

    Pants & Belt: Standard dress pants and a belt are required. Not permitted: Cargo pants, painter pants, or sloppy attire.

  • Suit or Sport Coat

    Suit or Sport Coat: Must be worn throughout the day. Exception: Students may go directly to their lockers in the morning to put their jackets on, and may leave jackets in their lockers after the final bell.

Athletics

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Address

1733 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19130
Phone Number: (215) 978-1950

Resources

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