Upper School

Upper School at GFS is a world of choices and no two students leave having traveled the same path. We encourage each individual to rise and meet his or her own standards of excellence. What our ninth through twelfth graders share, in the process, is an experience of intellectual challenge and curiosity.

Signature Programs

In Upper School, there are many educational opportunities beyond the expected—one-of-a-kind learning experiences that are there for the taking.

Our Curriculum

Upper School offers a remarkable palette of classes. The curriculum—rich, varied and challenging—aims high.

College Counseling

We view the college process as a reflective, critical journey comprised of research, campus visits, applications, and much more.

Upper School Athletics

Our athletic program stresses participation and encourages all student-athletes to develop their capabilities to the fullest extent possible.

Through a vast offering of required and elective programs, our students pursue directed independent studies, participate in professional internships, take college seminar-style classes, and have the chance to explore multiple educational opportunities outside the Upper School academic program. For those eager to not only learn but also innovate, Upper School is the place.

Upper School News

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Jazz Night 2025 Hits Gospel and Blues Notes

Middle and Upper School jazz musicians filled the air with a diverse range of music styles—infused with occasional experimental riffs—at GFS’ annual Jazz Night under the direction of music teacher Chris Coyle. It was the culmination of the hard work and learning throughout the school year and great preparation for the group's first-ever recording experience this month at a local studio.

GFS Athletics Celebrates 15 College-Bound Scholar-Athletes from the Class of 2025

Germantown Friends School proudly celebrated 15 student-athletes from the Class of 2025 who will go on to compete at the collegiate level.

Kristen Welker '94 of NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ Visited GFS’ Campus for the Christopher Allen '09 Lecture

GFS was honored to welcome Kristen Welker ‘94, distinguished journalist and moderator of NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” as the speaker at this year’s Christopher Allen ’09 Lecture. The lecture was presented as a conversation between Welker and her longtime mentor, Chris Blackman.

Junior Project Stories: Samuel Kelly '26 at Philly Goat Project

All throughout January, Samuel Kelly '26 interned at Philly Goat Project in Awbury Arboretum, learning to care for and train its herd of 13 therapy goats.

Junior Project Stories: Gabriel Baah '26 at Younger Brother Pictures

For his Junior Project, Gabriel Baah ’26 interned with an independent film production company, Younger Brother Pictures, LLC, learning to use video and audio equipment, as well as editing software.

Junior Project Stories: Brooke Williams '26 & Graciela Preetam '26 at UPenn Athletics

Brooke Williams '26 and Graciela Preetam '26 did their Junior Project this January at UPenn Athletics, learning the ins and outs of a busy training room that serves dozens of college athletes every day.

Junior Project Stories: Alex Goldsleger '26 at Zahav

This January, Alex Goldsleger '26 interned in the kitchen of Zahav, a fine dining Israeli restaurant in Philadelphia's Society Hill neighborhood, for his Junior Project.

GFS Junior Projects Through My Eyes: Zahara Brown '26

Zahara Brown '26 split her Junior Project between shadowing a primary care and family medicine doctor Penn Medicine and supporting the hospital's Perinatal Resources for Opioid Use Disorder team.

GFS Junior Projects Through My Eyes: Linus Chen-Plotkin '26

Hear from Linus Chen-Plotkin '26 about the scientific research project he worked on at a lab at UPenn this January during his Junior Project.

GFS Junior Projects Through My Eyes: Reina Yagawara '26

Reina Yagawara '26 shares reflections on her Junior Project at PennVet Working Dog Center (PVWDC), a part of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Meet Matthew Young: Director of Upper School

Matthew Young

Matthew's diverse career in independent school communities has spanned continents and embraced a wide range of roles. Prior to joining GFS as the Director of Upper School in 2018, Matthew served as the Associate Dean for Learning and Innovation at African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he has been immersed in schools and youth programs as an educator and administrator in the US and abroad for over 30 years. Prior to joining ALA, Matthew served as a science educator, division director, and development officer at Hawken School in Cleveland. He administered and taught elementary, middle, and high school science courses at Laurel and Old Trail schools in Ohio, and the National Cathedral School in Washington, DC.

Matthew served as Assistant Head of School at NOVA International Schools in Skopje, Macedonia, and instructed undergraduate field ecology and animal behavior courses in the East African Serengeti. He graduated from Hampshire College with a dual degree in Field Biology and French and earned a Master’s in Biology from Binghamton University. Matthew and his wife, Sara Mierke, have three adult children: Sally, Oliver, and Cloe.

Contact Matthew

Upper School Office

To contact the Upper School Office, please call 215-951-2315.

For help with Upper School Admissions applications, please email admissions@germantownfriends.org.

Matthew Young
Upper School Division Director

Behnaz Varamini
Assistant Director of Upper School

Alex Dark
Administrative Assistant, Upper School
adark@germantownfriends.org