Latest News | Friends Select School | Philadelphia Latest News | Friends Select School | Philadelphia Alert Info Select News Get the latest updates and news from Friends Select School. Stay informed about school events, achievements, announcements, and community highlights. Filter By: fall 2024 spring 2024 fall 2023 spring 2023 Spring 2025 fall 2025 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 Philadelphia City Council Recognizes Friends Select Social Justice Week Friends Select was honored during a recent Philadelphia City Council session at City Hall, in which a resolution was passed recognizing January 20-23 as Social Justice Week. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 Joyful Learning Friends Select School is creating a learning environment in which academic challenges and intellectual curiosity thrive alongside joy in learning. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 Math Department Chair Satoia Wright Publishes a Textbook With her recently released algebra curriculum textbook, Friends Select’s math department chair and middle school math teacher, Satoia Wright, is sharing her passion and expertise to make math programming accessible. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 Michael Gary Speaks: Fall 2025 As I reflect on a new school year at Friends Select, I’m struck by a fundamental truth that guides our educational philosophy: learning should be joyful, purposeful, and deeply engaging. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 In Good Hands with Helping Hands Aligned with Friends Select’s Quaker values of placing learning at the service of society, the Helping Hands club is engaging upper school students in meaningful community service opportunities across various sectors. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 Caring for Our Community: In Conversation with Recently Hired Employees In this continuation of our Select News series, we highlight some of the outstanding employees who have recently joined Friends Select and have shared their perspectives on our school. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 Above Board: It Feels Like Purpose A deep sense of purpose—palpable both at the board level and among Friends Select’s students, families, faculty, and staff—drew me to join the board in the first place and then say “yes” when Ingrid Lakey ’89, P’27 was ready to pass the torch of clerkship. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy Before the Creation of a Federal Holiday Thanks to the advocacy of students, Friends Select’s history of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. predates the creation of a federal holiday. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 Giving Back: Sam Spear ’71 As members of the Dick Hoffman Circle of longtime donors, Sam Spear ’71 and his wife Rosanne exemplify the many ways donors can support the school, from contributions to the Friends Select Fund and gifts made through the Pennsylvania State Tax Credit Program to leadership-level gifts as part of the Benefactors Society. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 Giving Back: The Deepe-Boccitto Family The Deepe-Boccitto Fund was established by Bonnie Boccitto GP'33 to honor her mother, Bernice Deepe, who passed away in 2022 on her 97th birthday. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 Friends Select School Awarded a $1.7 Million Multi-Year Grant to Expand Educational Access Friends Select School was recently named the recipient of a $1.7 million multi-year grant from The Children’s Education Initiative (TCEI), a San Diego-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of education for socioeconomically disadvantaged children. Tue, 07 Oct 2025 Alum Spotlight: Dr. Susan C. Taylor ’75 Documentary photographer Milton Lindsay ’07 traces his passion for photography back to Friends Select’s art classes, where the Quaker values embedded in the curriculum fostered his commitment to social justice. Tue, 07 Oct 2025 Alum Spotlight: Bill Savitt ’80 Documentary photographer Milton Lindsay ’07 traces his passion for photography back to Friends Select’s art classes, where the Quaker values embedded in the curriculum fostered his commitment to social justice. Tue, 30 Sep 2025 Alum Spotlight: Milton Lindsay ’07 Documentary photographer Milton Lindsay ’07 traces his passion for photography back to Friends Select’s art classes, where the Quaker values embedded in the curriculum fostered his commitment to social justice. Fri, 02 May 2025 Going For Gold: Andrea Kremer ’76, Traci Green ’96, and Maia Weintraub ’21 Friends Select School is proud to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our alumni, who excel in diverse fields while embodying the values instilled in them during their time at the school. Three remarkable Friends Select alumnae—Andrea Kremer ’76, Traci Green ’96, and Maia Weintraub ’21—exemplify this tradition. Fri, 02 May 2025 Michael Gary Speaks: Spring 2025 As I reflect on the vibrant and dynamic community at Friends Select School, I am filled with a profound sense of awe. Fri, 02 May 2025 Global Perspectives: Expanding Friends Select’s Study Abroad and Cultural Exchange Programs By expanding partnerships with schools throughout the world, Friends Select provides upper school students with opportunities for cultural exchanges and language immersions, all rooted in its commitment to cultivating global perspectives and transformative learning experiences. Fri, 02 May 2025 Empowering the Next Generation of Civic Leaders Friends Select School hosted a Student Civic & Community Engagement Summit (SCCE) last October in celebration of National Voter Education Week. Fri, 02 May 2025 Caring for Our Community: In Conversation with Recently Hired Employees In this continuation of our Select News series, we highlight some outstanding employees who have recently joined Friends Select as they share their perspectives of our school. Fri, 02 May 2025 Unveiling a Newly Refurbished Gymnasium In time for the winter sports season, Friends Select School updated the gymnasium of its Parkway Building, creating a modern, multipurpose facility to support the school’s athletic programs, holistic curriculum, and community events. Fri, 02 May 2025 From the Archives: Updating Our Athletic and Physical Education Facilities The evolution of Friends Select’s athletic and physical education facilities mirrors the school’s growth over time. Fri, 02 May 2025 Inaugural Falcon Fest Soars On October 17, Friends Select students, faculty, and staff celebrated the inaugural Falcon Fest, an event designed to cultivate community and school spirit across all grade levels. Fri, 02 May 2025 Excellence in Teaching and Learning Beyond Our Classrooms Friends Select faculty and staff exemplify a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning beyond their classrooms. Fri, 02 May 2025 Giving Back: Ben Behrend '12 As a young alumnus, Ben Behrend '12 has been a dedicated supporter of the school that shaped his life in meaningful ways. Fri, 02 May 2025 Above Board: Spring 2025 As I come to the end of my board service after nine years as a trustee—the last five years as board clerk—I have been reflecting on why I said yes to leading Friends Select’s board. Sat, 30 Nov 2024 Michael Gary Speaks: Fall 2024 By working together, we can provide future generations with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Wed, 20 Nov 2024 Alum Spotlight: Melissa Hozik ’00 As the 2026 recipient of the RUSA Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award, Melissa Hozik '00 is being recognized for over a decade of innovative, community-centered programming at the East Brunswick, New Jersey Public Library. Wed, 20 Nov 2024 Integrating Green Spaces into Our Educational Curriculum Philadelphia’s diverse green spaces are thoughtfully woven into programming at Friends Select School, providing students with hands-on learning experiences that leverage the natural environment for educational enrichment. Tue, 19 Nov 2024 Making Major Strides as We Advance Friends Select As the school looks to a future that includes continued increases in enrollment and plans for a monumental transformation of the Parkway Building’s back lot, updates to Advance Friends Select ensure the school remains at the forefront of educational and institutional excellence. Tue, 19 Nov 2024 Above Board: Lessons in Stewardship With the feedback and support of the Sustainability committee and the administration, Friends Select's board of trustees enthusiastically and wholeheartedly approved the addition of Environmental Sustainability as the fifth pillar to Advance Friends Select this year. Mon, 18 Nov 2024 FSS Community Pantry: Serving Our Neighbors in the City Friends Select School marked a significant milestone this year with the official launch of the FSS Community Pantry during the Family Association’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event. Mon, 18 Nov 2024 Creating a Gender and Sexuality Curriculum for Lower School An innovative lower school program is creating a foundation for understanding gender and sexuality for Friends Select’s youngest learners. Sun, 17 Nov 2024 Caring for Our Community: In Conversation with Recently Hired Employees In the past four years, Friends Select has welcomed many remarkable employees who embody the school’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning and dedication to its students and alumni. Sat, 16 Nov 2024 Long-standing PMA Partnership Empowers Students to Study Art More Deeply A nearly three-decade-long partnership between Friends Select School and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) fosters a unique educational experience for ninth-grade students. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 Deepening the Alumni Experience: Q&A with Martha & Ben Earlier this year, Martha Eisenberg ’85, P’22, ’24 and Ben Behrend ’12 became co-presidents of Friends Select’s Alumni Association. Thu, 14 Nov 2024 Giving Back: Max Berger ’73 As I reflect over 50 years to graduation, and the previous seven years while a student at Friends Select School, I see the foundation—though not fully recognized at the time—that grew to form the person I have become. Wed, 13 Nov 2024 2024 Awards: Honoring Friends Select Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Read about the recipients of Friends Select's 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award, Distinguished Teaching Award, Meritorious Service Award, and Athletic Hall of Fame. Tue, 12 Nov 2024 Giving Back: A Q&A with the Ogilvie Family When the Ogilvie family started the Ogilvie Family Foundation recently, Friends Select was the first significant gift that they wanted to make happen. Mon, 11 Nov 2024 From the Archives: A Tradition of Family Support Friends Select families have continuously played a crucial role in shaping our vibrant school community. Sun, 10 Nov 2024 Giving Back: The Pancoe Family Craig Pancoe and Deborra Sines Pancoe P’95, ’01, ’05 have witnessed the transformative power of Friends Select School in many ways. Where Next? Mission & History Quaker Roots & Social Justice City As A Classroom