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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Girls Basketball Team in the UNC stadium

From Philly to the Carolinas: GFS Varsity Girls Basketball Visits UNC and USC Programs

In late June, the GFS Varsity Girls Basketball team traveled to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of South Carolina. Along the way, they met with an alumna, heard from a basketball legend, and learned more about some of the top college women's basketball programs in the country.

Jasper Ling’s Shakespeare Shines on the National Stage

Jasper Ling ’28 traveled to the Lincoln Center in New York City to compete in the finals of the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition. One of 39 students out of 15,000 entries.

The Gaps Make us Human

Joey Szpilczak's ’27 artwork and accompanying essay was one of 35 submissions from across the globe to win The New York Times multimedia challenge.

Read more about The Gaps Make us Human

Rooting Poetry in Nature

On Arbor Day, Friday, April 24, a group of Upper School students and several English teachers gathered to engage with renowned Pulitzer-prize winning eco-poet and translator Forrest Gander in the outdoor classroom known as Cary Woods.

Lacrosse Captains Shine in Post-Season All-Academic Honors

This spring, the impact of the four lacrosse senior captains was recognized not only through championships and on-field success, but through an extraordinary collection of academic and leadership honors that reflect the complete student-athlete experience.

Graduating Seniors Look Back at Their Time at GFS

Hear from some members of the Class of 2026 about the lessons they've learned at GFS, and what they'll miss most after graduation.

David E. Stokes Senior Athletics Banquet Celebrated the Class of 2026 and the Enduring Spirit of Tiger Athletics

On June 2, GFS celebrated senior Tiger athletes and the impact they’ve made on GFS Athletics. Proud families, dedicated coaches, and inspiring alumni, including featured speaker Greta Meyer '15, came together to honor and thank the Class of 2026 for years of commitment, resilience, leadership, and Tiger Pride.

Paul Farber and Carmen Winant at Cohen art lecture 2026

“Art, Justice, and Kinship”: The 2026 Abigail R. Cohen ’91 Art Lecture at GFS

On Friday, May 15, Director and Co-Founder of Monument Lab Paul Farber ’01 and visual artist Carmen Winant ’01 were the featured speakers of the annual Abigail R. Cohen ’91 Art Lecture. Their joint talk titled "Art, Justice, and Kinship" covered their 30 years of friendship and the trajectories of their careers.

A blue-covered copy of Hamlet rests on a silver laptop, with a wooden surface visible in the background.

Leading Shakespeare Scholar Stephen Greenblatt Discussed 'Hamlet' with US Students

Pulitzer Prize–winning literary historian Stephen Greenblatt joined eleventh and twelfth-grade students for a virtual conversation about Hamlet.

Historic Results for GFS Crew at the 99th Stotesbury Cup Regatta

It was an unforgettable weekend on the water! At the prestigious 99th Stotesbury Cup Regatta, Germantown Friends School Crew brought home an incredible four medals—including just the second Stotesbury Championship title in program history.

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