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Germantown Friends School

explore our CAMPUS

What's cool about our campus is that it's spread out over seven acres in Philadelphia's historic neighborhood of Germantown. The buildings are an eclectic mix of old and new, a unique look and feel more consistent with a college campus. With three gyms, three auditoriums, a student center, numerous open, green spaces and nine classroom buildings, it's a place worthy of adoration and exploration. The Meetinghouse, at the center of it all, provides a beautiful and spiritual focal point.

1. Main Building 2. Meetinghouse 3. Sharpless 4. Hargroves 5. Wade Science Center 6. Alumni Building 7. Admissions 8. Living Graveyard 9. Dead Graveyard 10. Loeb Performing Arts Center 11. Smith Gym 12. Cary Building 13. Friends Free Library 14. Field House 15. Scattergood Gym

we have deep roots in this place

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Germantown Friends School

The Pillars of A

Quaker Education

At GFS, students and teachers gather in Meeting for Worship once each week. This is a time for shared, silent contemplation. Anyone who feels moved to speak may rise and do so. It is a simple formula, and can be a remarkably powerful experience.In these days of constant connectivity, the ability and opportunity to sit in silence have special value. Meeting for Worship is a cornerstone of the GFS culture that many come to cherish throughout their lives.

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speak the truth

We strive to deal fairly, equally and honestly with everyone. We aim to do as we say, reflecting our beliefs in our actions. even when it is inconvenient or challenging, we stand by our convictions, striving to lead lives of integrity.

Shine Together

We are all blessed with remarkable gifts. We are equally qualified to seek truth and to hear the voice of God. Every person deserves equal respect. For these reasons, we work against prejudice and discrimination and for equality.

stay connected

"Alone we can do little; together we can do so much."* We know there is strength in cooperation and wisdom to be found when many perspectives come together. We believe in the power of community.*
The words of Helen Keller.

keep it simple

In every way we can, we try to minimize the distractions that can draw our attention from the important things in life. This means not becoming overwhelmed by the busyness of daily routine. It means seeking balance. It means embracing simplicity.

care for all

This planet we inhabit, the talents we've been given, the community of which we are a part- all hold remarkable value. We must be responsible, imaginative and proactive in protecting these gifts and caring for the world and people around us. We must exercise good stewardship.

promote peace

We believe each life is precious and unique. We stand against war and violence and work to eliminate their root causes, including ignorance, racism, hatred and oppression. We are committed to creating peace.

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Germantown Friends School

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Celebrating Our 175th Anniversary
Celebrating Our 175th Anniversary
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Dear Friends,

I have been thinking about how our 175th year will live in our collective history. I know we will remember much more than morning health screenings, masks, and physical distancing—but rather a school year that opened our hearts and minds to new ways of thinking and doing, raised voices through collaborative campaigns for justice, and united us in our deep appreciation for the gift of education.

This year, we have seen our teachers go above and beyond, designing new and joyful approaches to teaching and learning, and we have observed how our students channeled their energy and creativity to respond to the challenges of the pandemic: reimagining clubs—many centered around service, advocacy, and activism—and even starting virtual businesses. We commenced a school-wide plan for anti-racism and launched our first parents and caregiver SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) program. And we deepened our commitment to Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, supporting both virtual and in-person programming, and worked with Holsey Temple and other community partners to address needs faced by their members. 

A look through our school's prolific history reveals a series of remarkable periods that have required similar ingenuity and empathy, and yielded important growth and education. It was the circumstances of World War II that led GFS to welcome refugee children from Europe and students from United States internment camps; the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, that inspired GFS to start the Community Scholars Program; and the struggle for equal rights that encouraged a faculty study group in 1985, led by Joan Countryman '58, to examine why a lower percentage of female students took advanced math and science courses and led to the hiring of more female faculty in those departments. 

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We are defined by a past and present that informs and inspires a future of contemplative action and development.

I am pleased to take this moment to kick-off our 175th Anniversary—celebrating our creative community, highlighting our history, and looking forward to our future—with a series of virtual events that reflect goals outlined in our strategic vision, Lighting the Way, including a virtual "evening-in" fundraiser to support scholarship at GFS, scheduled for May 15, 2021. Events for all ages will be announced over the next few weeks, but please mark your calendars for the following programs:

  • A Community Writers Series Evening with Author and Creativity Strategist Natalie Nixon '87 in conversation with Sarah Stein Greenberg '96: December 1, 2020, 7 p.m. - RSVP
  • Annual Alumni Assembly Featuring Music Entrepreneur and Producer Ben Thomas '14: December 4, 2020, 10:15 a.m. - RSVP
  • Giving Day - Anniversary Edition: February 12
  • A Special Conversation with NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker '94: 2021 date to be announced
  • A Virtual 175th Celebration and Fundraiser: May 15, 2021

I look forward to the many opportunities we will have in the upcoming months to come together as a community. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Warmly,

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Dana Weeks
Head of School

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