GFS Bids Farewell to the Year with Performances, Final Projects, and Graduation

GFS is a perennially busy place, threaded with energy generated by students, faculty, and staff learning, playing, performing, connecting, and reflecting together. The exuberance of this energy ramps up toward the end of the year, with events, trips, exhibitions, and celebrations—it’s an exciting time that provides so many opportunities to gather as a community.

Here are some of the spring highlights from our bustling campus:

Unity Day

The month of May started out strong with Unity Day, which explored what it means to be “One, Out of Many” in our various forms of community. Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., an author, speaker, and leader in diversity, education, and social justice, was the keynote speaker at the Upper School assembly which was followed by All-School Meeting for Worship.

This special yearly tradition brings the entire student body, and all faculty and staff, out to the Common for a time of profound reflection and togetherness. Afterwards, the divisions participated in various workshops, activities, and community engagement projects. 

Fun Day

Fun Day is our annual party and Upper School clubs’ fundraiser. On a sunny Saturday, families (including new GFS students who will start this fall!) flocked to Fields for bouncy houses, face painting, games, snacks, and music!

Student Fundraisers

A few days later, the Common was filed with the appetizing aromas of a cookout during the Black Student Union BBQ. Spring is a popular time for student groups to raise money, like Sistahs’ water ice fundraiser, Chinese Music Ensemble’s cotton candy stand, and Big Sibs’ bake sale. 

Alumni Weekend

Mid-May brought Alumni Weekend, which kicked off on Thursday, May 15 with the Alumni of Color and Retired Faculty and Staff of Color reception. Friday night was a fabulous party at the All School Commons Grand Opening, and Saturday and Sunday’s events brought together six decades of GFS alumni and friends. Read more about Alumni Weekend 2025.

Concerts & Performances

Spring performance season culminated in May! We gathered to experience our students’ multitude of talents during the All-School Choral Concert, Poley Fest, Jazz Night, World Percussion Night, A Cappella’s final concert, Lower School’s Broadway Kids Performance, and more! 

Outdoor Activities and Games

We also got outside to play and enjoy the fresh air. The annual Fourth Grade Olympics Day and Community Day gave Lower Schoolers the opportunity to run, jump, and play games, as well as practice Stewardship in their classrooms. Ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders also met for outdoor end-of-year activities on the last day of school.

All-School Art Show

From self-portrait collages to wooden sailboats to black-and-white photography, the campus was adorned with captivating student artwork during the annual All-School Art Show in late May.

Families, caregivers, teachers, staff, and students wound their way through the gallery spaces in classrooms and hallways across campus, taking in the expertly-curated exhibition. Art projects from Early Childhood students through twelfth graders were on display; for the first time ever, Middle and Upper School work was featured in gallery spaces in the Abigail R. Cohen Center for the Arts. 

Prom & Formals

The Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, Upper Schoolers, friends, and family gathered on campus for a pre-prom celebration before dancing into the sunset! Dressed in magnificent outfits, the prom-goers posed on the Common for photos and shared in the excitement of the evening ahead aboard The Spirit of Philadelphia. Middle Schoolers and ninth and tenth graders attended formals later in the month! 

Year-End Projects

While the end of the year brings exams and finals, it’s also the culmination of long-term creative and passion projects. One great example this year was the Eighth Grade Capstone showcase, where students shared the result of their year-long projects. Over the school year, they each explored a topic of personal curiosity or academic interest, guided by a central inquiry such as, “What is the best warm-up for three-point shots?” and “Can I make a dress from my old jeans?” 

Another example are the murals that the first grade classes worked on which were maps of Germantown and the surrounding area. Each mural-map included all of the places they visited throughout the year on field trips for their Food Systems unit, like Henry Got Crops, IGA Market, and Bennett Compost.

Lee Forrest Black '04 Eighth Grade Camping Trip

There are a number of fun trips and outings at the end of every school year; one beloved tradition is the Lee Forrest Black '04 Eighth Grade Camping Trip. The Class of 2029 had a magical end-of-year experience at Lake Owego, where the camp is located. Bonds were strengthened during campfire sing-a-longs, games, crafts, and activities, and a closing Meeting for Worship. The students and faculty expressed deep gratitude for both each other and the Black family's generosity in providing the space for this trip.

Upper School Graduation, Fifth and Eighth Grade Move-Up Ceremonies, and EC Bead Ceremonies

June always brings with it a bittersweet air. The last few weeks of school represent both an ending and a beginning, and while we celebrate our seniors and all they’ve accomplished—and cheer them on as they head to new adventures—it’s hard to say goodbye to them, many of whom have been here since preschool or kindergarten! Nevertheless, graduation was a jubilant day, with families and faculty gathered under the tent on the Common to honor and applaud the remarkable Class of 2025. (Check out the recorded livestream of graduation.)

GFS also holds move-up ceremonies for fifth graders finishing Lower School and heading to Middle, and Upper School-bound eighth graders. For our young learners in PreK who are graduating to Kindergarten, there are Bead Ceremonies, which are an acknowledgment of each child’s growth, hard work, and sense of self within the Early Childhood community. These are such sweet (and sometimes tearful) moments for students and their teachers and families.

* * *

This was an outstanding year, and we’re grateful to everyone in our community for their contributions in making it such a dynamic, enriching experience!