Quaker Roots & Social Justice | Friends Select School | Philadelphia
Quaker Roots & Social Justice | Friends Select School | Philadelphia
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Quaker Roots & Social Justice
Quaker Roots & Social Justice
Fostering peace, inclusion, and unity at Friends Select School.
QUAKER EDUCATION
In addition to its college preparatory academic mission, Friends Select School is fully committed to the Quaker testimonies—simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity and justice, and stewardship (SPICES)—and practices of the Religious Society of Friends, which are integral to the life of the school and its community.
This Quaker influence manifests itself daily in the practice of peaceful resolution of conflict, service toward others, and respect and inclusion. Friends Select is in a “care relationship” with the Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting (Race Street) and the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia (Arch Street).
Quaker Roots
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QUAKER COMMUNITY
Quakerism is also incorporated into social-emotional learning in our school. Students are encouraged to manage their conflicts peacefully, to advocate for each other, and to seek resolution in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Our curriculum emphasizes social justice as central to the promotion of peace.
MEETING FOR WORSHIP
From an early age, Friends Select students learn what it means to experience and participate in Meeting for Worship. Once a week, each of the school's three divisions walks to the Race Street Meetinghouse. In the manner of Friends, Meeting for Worship takes place in a silent search for truth; those who are moved to speak rise to do so out of the silence. At times during the year, the entire school community gathers together for Meeting for Worship.
“The intersection of our Quaker roots and the heart of social justice work does not exist; it is one and the same.”
Toni Graves Williamson
Director of Equity and Inclusion
Social Justice in Action
Students Participate in the Mayor’s African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee
Two Friends Select students had the privilege to serve on former Mayor Jim Kenney’s African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee convened by the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy (OACCE).
Students Lead Voter Registration Drive at Shackamaxon Powwow
Friends Select upper school students facilitated a voter registration drive last September at the Shackamaxon Powwow at Penn Treaty Park. Hosted annually by the Native American House Alliance (NAHA)—a nonprofit organization that supports family, housing, and employment services to the local Native American community—the Shackamaxon Powwow honors Lenape culture and heritage.
Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: A Q&A with Author Amy Cohen ’82”
Amy Cohen’s first book, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots,
Continuing Legacy, was recently published by Temple University Press.
The Growth of Our Big Sibs/Little Sibs Program
The Big Sibs/Little Sibs program was piloted in a virtual format for less than 10 pairs of students at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It now enrolls over 35 pairs of Black students, as well as other students of color in the school’s Latine and Asian communities.
Students Participate in the Mayor’s African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee
Two Friends Select students had the privilege to serve on former Mayor Jim Kenney’s African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee convened by the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy (OACCE).
Students Lead Voter Registration Drive at Shackamaxon Powwow
Friends Select upper school students facilitated a voter registration drive last September at the Shackamaxon Powwow at Penn Treaty Park. Hosted annually by the Native American House Alliance (NAHA)—a nonprofit organization that supports family, housing, and employment services to the local Native American community—the Shackamaxon Powwow honors Lenape culture and heritage.
Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: A Q&A with Author Amy Cohen ’82
Amy Cohen’s first book, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots,
Continuing Legacy, was recently published by Temple University Press.
The Growth of Our Big Sibs/Little Sibs Program
The Big Sibs/Little Sibs program was piloted in a virtual format for less than 10 pairs of students at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It now enrolls over 35 pairs of Black students, as well as other students of color in the school’s Latine and Asian communities.
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.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
Friends Select is committed to being an antiracist school, as evidenced by professional development for employees, as well as our efforts to shape our curriculum to include a range of perspectives. We have social justice projects woven through all divisions, a Big Sibs/Little Sibs program that pairs upper school and lower school students of color, and affinity groups and spaces where students can speak freely. We are proud to provide high-quality education rooted in the Quaker values of respect for all, simplicity, the peaceful resolution of conflict, and a constant search for truth. Our teachers lift up student voice and agency, educating and empowering students to challenge the status quo regarding social justice, climate justice, LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, and more. In this way, Friends Select students are prepared to become active citizens for the whole of life.
Where Next?
Mission & History
City As A Classroom
Governance