Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a variety of events for prospective families, including Open Houses, information sessions, neighborhood gatherings, and campus tours so you can meet our teachers, talk with other parents, hear from students, and visit classes. See our Admissions Upcoming Events page for details. You can also visit our website, read the latest news, explore our academics, and learn about student life.

Our Admissions team is here to help: please feel free to email us or call 215-951-2345. We encourage you to start the application process by submitting an online inquiry as soon as you are interested. 

The first step in the application process is to create an online inquiry. Once submitted, you will receive an email with a link to set up your GFS Admissions Portal, which is on a platform called Veracross. When you click the link, you’ll be prompted to set up your password. Our How to Apply page provides details on the materials you’ll need to complete the application.

The Virtual Parent Interview is an opportunity for our Admissions team to learn more about your family and your child's unique interests and strengths and allows you to ask any questions you may have about GFS. Interviews are typically conducted via Zoom and last approximately one hour. We are happy to assist you if you are unfamiliar with video conferencing and encourage you to schedule your interview shortly after you submit your application, as slots fill quickly.

Detailed instructions on the steps in the application process can be found in your Veracross Admissions Portal. For a preview, visit our How to Apply page for required documents and visits for each grade. As you progress through the application process, we will guide you in completing all the required steps.

The “first-round review” refers to the initial evaluation of all completed applications submitted by the first-round deadline. Applicants who submit and complete all application items by this deadline will receive an admissions decision (admit, wait pool, or regret) by the end of January. Applicants who are eligible and submit a financial aid application will receive a financial aid award package also by the end of January

Our Admissions Team is happy to answer any questions you may have about GFS or your application. You can reach us by phone at 215-951-2345 or by email at admissions@germantownfriends.org.

The rolling application review process begins each February when applications completed after the regular admissions deadline in December are reviewed on a weekly, rolling basis. Financial Aid applications submitted via Clarity are also reviewed, for accepted applicants, on a weekly basis. Admissions decisions and aid awards for accepted, aid-eligible families are posted each Friday. 

Please note, the availability of enrollment spots and financial aid decreases during rolling admissions. The best possible outcome for some applicants may be placement in our wait pool for an enrollment spot and for financial aid. Enrollment is due within two weeks of acceptance during the rolling cycle.

We welcome you to visit campus and meet teachers, students, staff, and other parents! Throughout the year, we offer weekday morning campus tours and grade-specific open houses, as well as off-campus evening events. You can also contact Admissions if these don’t meet your needs and we will find a time that works for you.

Apply for financial aid via the Clarity platform. Before you get started, we recommend attending one of Clarity’s webinars, and reviewing Clarity’s Family Application Guide, Quick Reference Guide, and Tax Verification Guide. Please find the Spanish versions here 2025-2026 Guía de Aplicación de Clarity Para Las Familias, 2025-2026 Guía de Referencia Rápida de Clarity.

Steps to apply:

1. Create a profile in Clarity.
    
2. Complete the online application.
    
3. Upload all required documents, including paychecks and W-2s for each financially responsible parent or guardian.

GFS determines financial aid grants for current and newly accepted families who have applied for financial aid. Financial aid grants are determined equitably and consistently according to demonstrated need as there are no merit-based scholarships at GFS. Clarity provides a need-based financial analysis in addition to a recommended award amount. All information received from Clarity is kept confidential.

Award decisions are based on family income, all family assets, including residence(s), retirement savings, other real estate holdings, stocks, bonds, equities, children’s savings, 529s, etc., and family liabilities. Home equity and retirement savings are considered as assets, and capital gains are considered as income. Child support is regarded as an expense to the payer and income to the payee.

There are three potential Financial Aid outcomes:

• If you are deemed eligible through our needs-based review, you will qualify for Financial Aid.
• You may receive a notice that you do not qualify for Financial Aid.
• Or, you could be placed on our Financial Aid waitlist.

Tuition costs increase at an average of four percent each year. If a family’s income does not change significantly from one year to the next, we attempt to maintain grant amounts for students as they move through the school, striving to award the same percentage of aid to tuition from one year to the next.

Approximately 36% of GFS students receive financial aid, including 40% of new students. Awards range from $2,000 to $42,500. In total, GFS awards nearly $10 million in financial aid each year.

In addition to tuition assistance, GFS offers a Non-Tuition Financial Aid (NTFA) program to help cover a wide range of expenses, such as lunch and transportation, books and supplies, after-school programs, music lessons, tutoring, counseling, class trips and travel abroad. 

Families may apply for NTFA once enrolled, using the NTFA application form as expenses arise. To apply, contact financialaid@germantownfriends.org.

For current families (including those with newly admitted siblings), award letters are posted after January 26, 2026. Acceptance is due with the signed enrollment agreement and non-refundable deposit by February 2, 2026.

For new families, award letters are posted after January 26, 2026. Acceptance is due with the signed enrollment agreement and non-refundable deposit by February 23, 2026.

During rolling admissions, financial aid awards are shared on Fridays as applications are processed.

GFS families represent a wide geographical array, coming from more than 80 zip codes. We’re dedicated to providing reliable, convenient, and safe transportation options for all of our families. We offer a number of transportation options including public school district buses and private bus routes. Many students also carpool and take public transportation. Please see our Transportation Guide for details. 

Our Transportation Department is here to assist you with any needs you may have.

In Early Childhood through Third Grade, students bring their own lunch and snacks from home and eat together as a class, often outside when the weather is good. Beginning in Fourth Grade, students enjoy their meals in our Dining Hall, which offers a variety or options to meet every taste. Learn more about our dining options including menus, hours of operation, and our dining partner, Meriwether Godsey.

Below are the start and end times for each division:

• Early Childhood: 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Lower School: 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Middle School: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.*
• Upper School:
  • Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 8:05 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

*Middle School students are required to participate in Athletics or after-school activities, which end at 4 p.m. During the in-between seasons, school ends at 3:30 p.m. after Academic Intensives. 

GFS students mix a wide range of student clubs, athletics, affinity groups, music, theatre, and trips into their academic schedules, with options available for all ages, interests and passions. Along the way, they uncover new activities and topics to explore. Go to Academics, and scroll down to click on each division’s webpage for more detail.

GFS has three school nurses who provide in-person assistance at several locations to students on our Main Campus and telehealth assistance to Early Childhood students at our Center City campus.

Students participate in Meeting for Worship (MFW) in various settings, including in the Germantown Monthly Meetinghouse, as a class, a campus, or a division. During MFW, students engage with the SPICES—Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship, the core values of Quakerism—through silent reflection, stories, poems, and songs. 

While Germantown Friends School is nurtured under the care of the Germantown Friends Meeting, our students, faculty, staff, and parents come from diverse faith backgrounds. Read more about Quakerism at GFS.

​​Students benefit from dedicated lessons in library, music, art, and movement, taught by faculty with professional expertise in their respective fields.

Our Early Childhood division typically serves a student population where 40% identify as students of color. This aligns with the school-wide trend, as 42% of our overall student body has similarly identified in recent years.

All Early Childhood classrooms have two lead teachers. Preschool class sizes range from 10-14 children and PreK class sizes from 14-18 children.

Preschool programs offer 4- and 5-day options, but PreK is offered as a 5-day program only.

Early Childhood students at both campuses engage in at least one hour of outdoor play daily.

GFS utilizes a September 1st birthdate cutoff for class placement, similar to many independent schools. Children with summer birthdays may be among the youngest or oldest in their grade. During the admissions process and throughout their time at GFS, we carefully consider each child's needs and developmental progress. Some children may benefit from an extended Early Childhood experience, progressing through the program in three years rather than two.

Students in the Early Childhood division don’t need to apply to GFS Lower School. The developmental growth rates of each child are difficult to predict when children come to us at very young ages, so each student’s potential for success in kindergarten is assessed and communicated through our progress reviews and parent-teacher conferences. We’ll let families know if there are any questions about a student’s advancement to the next grade or re-enrollment for the following year at GFS.

Students entering preschool are not required to be fully independent when using the bathroom; however, students entering Pre-Kindergarten are expected to be independent.

All Early Childhood students have a dedicated rest time in the afternoon. Children who do not nap are provided with quiet, supervised activities in a separate area until the end of rest time.

ASPire (After-School Program—Imagine, Reach, Explore) offers special daylong programs (Preschool-Grade 5) when GFS is closed for teacher conferences, in-service days, and certain holidays. Additionally, programs are available during one week of spring break. Programs run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and participants can enjoy field trips and other exciting activities.

Our after-school program for Early Childhood students is offered on our main campus and in Center City. The program features circle time and enrichment activities like science, art, creative movement, and ample playtime. GFS teachers lead the program, providing a seamless extension of the school day and creating a comfortable, familiar experience for our students.

To be eligible for preschool at GFS, children must be at least 2 years and 7 months old by September 1st of the enrollment year. For Pre-Kindergarten, children must be at least 4 years old by September 1st. If your child does not meet the age requirement for a specific grade level, they may be considered for enrollment the following year.

Children must be five years old on or before September 1st of the school year to be eligible for Kindergarten enrollment.

In Kindergarten, we have three sections with a targeted enrollment of 20 students in each classroom. In Grade 1, there are four sections with approximately 15 students per class. For Grades 2-5, three sections with class sizes ranging from 18 to 22 students. Each classroom is supported by both a lead teacher and a teaching assistant to create a positive and effective learning environment.

We offer a comprehensive social-emotional learning and support program emphasizing empathy, self-awareness, relationship-building, and conflict resolution. These are grounded within and enhanced by our Quaker values. Our teachers and counselors collaborate closely with students to promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive school community.

Our Lower School program includes specialized instruction in art, computer science (grades 2-5), music, physical education, science, Spanish, library, theater movement arts, and woodshop (grades 2-5). These subjects are taught by faculty members who have professional expertise in their respective fields.

ASPire (After-School Program—Imagine, Reach, Explore) offers special daylong programs (Preschool-Grade 5) when GFS is closed for teacher conferences, in-service days, and certain holidays. Additionally, programs are available during one week of spring break. These programs run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and participants can enjoy field trips and other exciting activities.

ASPire Kindergarten-Grade 5

Our after-school program, called ASPire (After-School Program—Imagine, Reach, Explore), reflects the core principles of our philosophy: providing opportunities for children to imagine and create, reach beyond their comfort zones, and explore new experiences. Each afternoon, students can choose from various activities, including (but not limited to) arts and crafts, Lego building, games, homework help, and playground time.

After-School Clubs Program Preschool-Grade 5

Our after-school clubs program encourages students to explore activities they may not encounter during the school day. In addition to fostering new interests, the clubs allow students to connect with peers from different grades and friend groups, while benefiting from the expertise of engaging club leaders. Clubs offered include karate, ceramics, Science Explorers, Cooking for Kids, chess, magic, and more.

After-School Music Opportunities

Students may expand their musical skills in a group setting after the school day with friends and classmates. The orchestra is open to any Lower School student who has taken private lessons for at least one year. Chorus and World Percussion are available to all fourth and fifth graders, with no prior experience required. Rehearsals are held once a week after school for 45 minutes. Sessions run throughout the fall and spring, with a break in the winter. All three ensembles perform twice a year, at the end of each term.

We offer several programs that give students more choices, encourage hands-on experiences, and broaden perspectives on paths to success.

• Mini-Courses: Week-long, interdisciplinary projects focused on a single topic. These mixed-grade courses spark curiosity and creativity.
• Grade 8 Capstone Project: Students work on passion projects driven by a guiding question.
• Affinity Groups: Safe, supportive places where students can explore and strengthen their identities. Faculty and staff facilitate the groups, ensuring inclusivity and support. 
• Middle School Clubs: Students engage in a variety of clubs that are integrated into the school day, providing a platform for expression, exploration, and reflection. While teachers lead some clubs, students drive and initiate others, creating opportunities for leadership skill development.
• International Travel: Cultural and language immersion travel available for students in 7th and 8th grades. Travel options include trips to Salamanca, Spain, Quebec, Canada, and Edinburgh, Scotland. 
• Language Study: All 6th graders take Anatomy of Language, a year-long exploration of language origins, families, writing systems, and grammar. In 7th grade, students begin formal language study, choosing Latin, French, Mandarin, or Spanish. 8th grade students may add either Latin or Ancient Greek as a second language.
• Middle School Musical: Students in grades 6th-8th have an opportunity to participate in the middle school musical. Students participate through performing on stage, stage crew, or costume design. The middle school musical takes place during the winter season in the athletics/activity block.

We recognize that Middle School is a unique and tender time when young people begin to explore who they are and how they fit into the world around them. We approach this stage with deep care, recognizing that emotional growth is just as important as academic learning. Through supportive relationships—and a multidisciplinary curriculum—we nurture curiosity, self-awareness, and identity development. Our goal is to always create spaces where students feel seen, heard, and valued, where they can take healthy risks, build resilience, and learn how to navigate challenges with confidence to grow into their fullest selves.

We understand that joining a school where it feels like everyone already knows each other can be overwhelming. To help ease this transition, we pair new families with a sponsor family—parents or guardians of a child in the same grade—who can offer guidance and support.

• At the end of the summer, we host a New Student Orientation, which provides an opportunity to explore the campus and meet other newcomers before classes begin.
• Fall sports also offer a great way for students to transition to GFS. With two weeks of preseason practices with teammates and coaches, new students can create lasting memories, connect with classmates, and start the year feeling less “new.”

Middle School students can take part in over a dozen clubs and affinity groups for a wide variety of interests—including chess, debate, film, yearbook, art, and much more. Clubs give students the chance to explore diverse interests beyond the classroom, while affinity groups offer space for identity-based connection and community. Learn more about Middle School clubs.

Our Athletics program addresses the transition from Middle to Upper School in a holistic way, connecting with the Upper School program and Varsity coaches. Middle School teams include:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Squash
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Winter Track
• Wrestling

Learn more about Athletics at GFS.

We understand that joining a school where it feels like everyone already knows each other can be overwhelming. To help ease this transition, we pair new families with a sponsor family—parents or guardians of a child in the same grade—who can offer guidance and support.

• At the end of the summer, we host a New Student Orientation, which provides an opportunity to explore the campus and meet other newcomers before classes begin.
• Fall sports also offer a great way for students to transition to GFS. With two weeks of preseason practices with teammates and coaches, new students can create lasting memories, connect with classmates, and start the year feeling less “new.”
• For 9th-grade students, advisory groups are specifically designed to support the transition to high school. New students are invited to join a “New Students Advisory” group, which lasts for about one semester. This cohort provides a space for new students to share experiences, bond with one another, and move beyond their “new student” status together.

The number of available spots varies slightly each year, but GFS typically aims to enroll 20–30 new students in 9th grade. Admission to 10th and 11th grades depends on the size of the current class and is often influenced by attrition.

Students can study abroad through the January Term program, which offers cultural, scientific, and language immersion travel experiences for grades 9, 10 and 12. Acceptance typically requires an application and a decision by a committee. Each program has a separate fee, though financial assistance is available for eligible students. Students participating in a winter sport should understand that studying abroad during the January Term may impact that participation.

GFS doesn’t offer AP classes as part of our commitment to equity and fostering each student’s unique abilities. Instead of following the rigid AP curriculum, we focus on providing deep, rigorous learning that develops critical thinking skills. This approach prepares students exceptionally well for top colleges and beyond. Students who wish to take the AP exam are welcome to do so. Many of our students choose to sit for the exam each year—and we’re proud to say they consistently perform well.

Upper School students can take part in over 80 different clubs and affinity groups for a wide variety of interests—including chess, beekeeping, photography, knitting, debate, dance, and much more. Clubs give students the chance to explore diverse interests beyond the classroom, while affinity groups offer space for identity-based connection and community.

Additionally, GFS offers a robust Athletics program that stresses participation and encourages all student-athletes to develop to their fullest potential. Sports offerings include crew, cross country, soccer, tennis, basketball, track, baseball, and more! Learn more.

January Term (J-Term) is a month-long elective program where students explore new interests through interdisciplinary “mini-courses.” Designed to encourage experimentation and reflection beyond the curriculum, all courses are graded on a credit/no credit basis. Organized by a committee of Upper School teachers and school leaders, students select their courses after the J-Term catalog is released. Completing three J-Term courses is a graduation requirement.

Our College Counseling team works with Upper School students on the entire college process, including research, campus visits, identifying best-fit schools, and completing and submitting applications. Throughout their junior and senior years, students will become increasingly responsible for managing their college search. As they take ownership of this process, they continue to learn how to think critically, communicate effectively, self-advocate, and build relationships—the very skills that will help them make a successful transition from high school to college and beyond. Learn more.