Frequently Asked Questions

GFS is proud to award $5.3 million dollars of need-based financial aid. Financial aid is available for families with students who are applying to Kindergarten through grade 12. The deadline for submitting financial aid applications, as well as supporting documents, is January 4, 2021.

• Start your FAST application and begin gathering information outlined in the Downloadable Worksheet.
• Complete all steps in the Financial Aid application process, including uploading copies of your 2019 tax and 2020 income documentation by January 4, 2021 to be eligible for first round financial aid review for the 2021-22 School Year.

Please review our detailed Financial Aid instructions.

Recognizing the important benefits of on-campus instruction, during the pandemic, age-appropriate plans were created for every division. We designed our plans so that we could respond adaptively to current COVID-19 case conditions in Philadelphia and other critical data. Our decision-making has been guided by the CDC, city, and state guidelines, and in consultation with our Medical Advisory Board.

In 2020 and 2021, in addition to modified on-campus instruction, we were pleased to offer Colloquia, our thoughtful hybrid learning program for Early Childhood learners through twelfth grade. Colloquia was designed to reflect the depth and breadth of the everyday GFS experience and bring students together in community online. View Colloquia in Action

 

In addition to scheduling and completing your Virtual Parent Interview, complete all division- or grade specific application items by January 4, 2021 to be eligible for first round review for the 2021-22 School Year. These items are outlined in detail within the Veracross Admissions Portal. As you move through the application, we will help you complete the different checklist items within the process.

Early Childhood:

• Play Observation Video
• For PreK applicants only:
  • Virtual Readiness Assessment
  • Confidential Teacher Recommendation

Kindergarten:

• In-Person Readiness Assessment* & Observation Video
• Confidential Teacher Recommendation
• Official Transcripts or School Records

Lower School, Grades 1-5

• In-Person Admissions Testing* & Observation Video
• Confidential Teacher Recommendation
• Official Transcripts or School Records

Middle and Upper School

• Confidential Teacher Recommendations
• Admissions Testing (ISEE or SSAT)
• Official Transcripts or School Records
• Graded Writing Sample

*Remote/Virtual Options Available

"First round review" means that our Admissions Committee will first review all applications that are completed by January 7, 2022. These applications will receive an admission decision (admit, waitpool, or regret) by February 1, 2022, and a financial aid package (as applicable), shortly thereafter.  

Virtual Parent Interviews are a chance for us to get to know your family, learn about your child and answer any questions you have about GFS. They typically last about an hour and are conducted via Zoom. If you aren’t familiar with video chat, don’t worry — we’re here to help! Please schedule your Virtual Parent Interview as soon as you have submitted your application as our interview slots tend to fill up quickly

Applications completed after January 7, 2022 will move into "rolling admissions" means that applications will be reviewed by our Admissions Committee on an ongoing basis and will receive an admission and financial aid decision once available (typically bi-weekly). It is important to note that the availability of spots and financial aid both decrease during rolling admissions, and it is possible that the best possible outcome during this time could be a waitpool decision. 

In order to keep our community safe and healthy, Germantown Friends School requires the following of all on-campus visitors. GFS will continue to re-evaluate this policy over time as COVID-19 rates and guidelines change. 

General Requirements:

• Visitors and accompanying children will be required to check in at the main reception desk in the Front Hall of 31 W. Coulter St., and:
  • Satisfactorily complete a series of screening questions and 
  • Show proof of vaccination if age-eligible (i.e. vaccine card or approved medical form).
• While on campus, all visitors must be masked while indoors.
• Visitors will be required to sign out at the Front Desk when they depart.
• Visitors who do not pass the screening will be asked to reschedule their visit and depart campus.
• Visitors 5 and older who are unable to produce proof of vaccination will be asked to remain outdoors for the duration of their visit.

Center City Early Childhood Visitors: 

• Policies and screening as described above will apply. Please check-in with a GFS representative outside the doors of the Early Childhood when you exit the elevator on Floor 1, South Elevator. 

Athletics - GFS Fields:

• All visitors to GFS Fields should enter the facilities with masks on (athletes and spectators).
• Guests should not enter locker rooms.
• Parking in the GFS Fields lot (2807 Midvale Ave, 19144) is available on a first come, first serve basis for coaches and officials only.  
• Spectators and athletes who drive must find street parking on adjacent streets. Please do not block any residential driveways.
• Specific protocol for athletes will be communicated by coaches. 

During the pandemic, we have held a number of virtual events, which had given our prospective families the opportunity to hear from GFS leadership, staff, faculty, and students. You can now view video recordings of our past Admissions events.

In Spring 2022, we held our first in-person Open House back on campus. View our upcoming Admissions Events and begin your application by starting an inquiry.

We look forward to connecting and introducing you to the rich array of learning opportunities that a GFS education has to offer!

We are here to help you through the process and happy to answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Office at 215-951-2345 or admissions@germantownfriends.org.