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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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Our Mission & Philosophy

When you begin with the belief that each person has a unique inner light, great things can happen. At GFS, we discover and nurture a multitude of hidden talents. We teach each child to speak his or her mind, and make sure every voice is heard. We believe community is built on a foundation of mutual respect.

Mission Statement

Germantown Friends School is dedicated to reaching that of God in every person. Our mission is to seek truth, challenge the intellect, honor differences, embrace the city, and nurture each student’s mind, body and spirit.


Statement of Philosophy

The School Committee, which is composed of members of the Germantown Monthly Meeting, alumni, parents, faculty and former parents, sets policies for Germantown Friends School and makes decisions regarding guiding principles, direction and priorities. The School Committee approved the following Statement of Philosophy.

We are a Friends school, under the care of Germantown Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, founded on the belief that there is that of God in everyone. Together, love and respect for each individual provide the premise for all that we do. We regard education not as training for a particular way of life, but as part of a lifelong process, and as we guide and encourage our students in their personal growth, we try to cultivate and support in them principles that Friends have long considered to have lasting value. Among these are truthfulness, simplicity and self-discipline, the resolution of differences without violence, and respect for diverse heritages and experiences.

Underlying all these commitments are unreserved respect for each person’s capacity to find a path to God, as well as for conscience and the need to follow its dictates. Our regard for a leading of conscience is reflected in our weekly Meeting for Worship, based on silence, where each may speak when moved to speak. Meeting remains central to the life of the school.

We want our students to develop the capacity for responsible choice. Through our varied curriculum – rich in the academic disciplines, in the creative and performing arts, and in athletics and activities – our students come to understand their strengths and limitations, learning to integrate their own aspirations with the claims and values of others. For this they not only need facts about the world, they must know how to find and assess those facts. They must learn to distinguish the genuine from the artificial, the essential from the peripheral. They must learn to think clearly, and to communicate and act upon what they know. To act responsibly, they must know themselves and value themselves and others. We challenge them, increasingly as they are able, to exercise choice in many areas of school and community life. For it is our hope that in each of our students, as in ourselves, a sense of commitment to all their communities will grow from a responsible role in this one.

We encourage all members of this community to develop their capacities to the fullest extent possible. In academics, in athletics, in the arts and in human relations, we value this excellence, recognize it, encourage it and stress our obligation to share it. Knowing as well that learning works by example, we look for excellence in each other and in ourselves. This search keeps us striving.

A Quaker School

We are a Friends school, under the care of Germantown Monthly Meeting, founded on the belief that there is that of God in everyone. Together, love and respect for each individual provide the premise for all that we do. We regard education not as training for a particular way of life, but as part of a lifelong process. We guide and encourage our students in their personal growth, instilling in them principles that Friends have long considered to have lasting value: truthfulness, simplicity, self-discipline, the resolution of differences without violence and respect for diverse heritages and experiences.