Founded in 1845, Germantown Friends School is a Quaker, coed, independent day school for students in preschool through grade 12. Located in the historic neighborhood of Germantown in Northwestern Philadelphia.
GFS is nationally known for its academic excellence, attention to Quaker values of Peace, Equality, and Integrity, a commitment to diversity, and its long-standing neighborhood partnerships.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked PA School
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
- Enrollment: 1,157 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 19 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Germantown Friends School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
SAT Score
Student Body
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-12
Year Founded
1845
Colors
Navy Blue, White / Orange
School Calendar
First Day of School
Mon. Sep 1, 2025
Last Day of School
Mon. May 25, 2026
Student Body
Total Students
1,157 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
25%
State avg.: 27%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
73%
List of Courses Offered
Average SAT score
1383
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
30
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Dec. 19 / rolling
Tuition Notes
Tuition for the 2022-23 school year ranges from $21,000–$25,500 for Early Childhood to $43,000 for Grades 9-12
% on Financial Aid
33%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$13,500
Admissions Director
Laura Sharpless Myran
Admissions Associate
Kelly Wright
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
14 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
74 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Admission Office Student Guides, and Aquatic Life (CORAL), Animal Care, Animanga Club, Anno (Upper School Yearbook), Art Club, Asian Students Association, Big Sibs, Black Student Union, Brainstorm Neuroscience Club, Bridge Club, Brothers for Academic and Social Enrichment (BASE), Chaverim, Classics Club, Classics Club/Literary Journal (Libellum), Coffeehouse (open-mic nights), Community Action Committee, Community Culinary Club, Computer Science Club, Conserving Oceans, Cycling Club, Data Science Club, Dungeons and Dragons Club, Earthquake (quarterly news magazine), Education Justice, Ellipsis: Academic Writing Journal, Environmental Action Club, Germantown Community Gardeners, GFS Quiz Bowl, Global Understanding Club, Graffiti (Middle School literary journal), High School Democrats of America (HSDA), Human Rights Group, Jam Club, LASSO (Latin American Student Solidarity Organization), Lunch Art Club, Math Club, Middle School Yearbook, Mock Trial, Model UN, Multiracial Affinity Group, Music Performance Club, Online Newspaper, Outing Club (hiking, camping, backpacking, canoeing, biking etc), Peer Tutoring, Philadelphia Youth Film Festival (PHYFF), Philly Issues, Political Dialogue Club, Polyphony art and literary magazine, Post Modern Languages: Esperanto Club, POW: People of Winter Ski and Snowboarding Club, READ (Read, Enunciate, and Declaim), Reefs, Religion and Philosophy (RAP), SAGA (Sexuality And Gender Alliance), Sistahs, South Asian Student Alliance, Student Advisory Council (SAC), Student Beekeeping, Support for Positive Body Image, Tea Time Games Club, The Corner (Middle School Online Newspaper), Tiger$ Investing League, Upper School Math League, Ways of Being Club, Xploring Sustainable Farming (Aquaponics Club)
Arts and Music Programs:
A Cappella, Chamber Music, Choir, Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, World Percussion
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Early Risers (Lower School)
School Notes
- School Mascot: Tiger
- Germantown Friends School (GFS) seeks students who are bright and eager, who demonstrate the potential to engage deeply with an intellectually rigorous academic program, and who will contribute to a vibrant school community. Please visit the school's website to request more information or apply online.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Kristen Welker - 1994 - Moderator of NBC News' Meet the Press -
- Cedric Hall - 2004 - Vice President of Student Experience at Girard College -
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are famous alumni from Germantown Friends School?
Germantown Friends School famous alumni include: Kristen Welker - 1994 - Moderator of NBC News' Meet the Press and Cedric Hall - 2004 - Vice President of Student Experience at Girard College.
What sports does Germantown Friends School offer?
Germantown Friends School offers 14 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field, Winter Track and Wrestling. Germantown Friends School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for most sports offered.
What is Germantown Friends School's ranking?
Germantown Friends School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Highest average SAT score, Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Germantown Friends School?
The application deadline for Germantown Friends School is Dec. 19 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 19 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
In what neighborhood is Germantown Friends School located?
Germantown Friends School is located in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 18 other private schools located in Northwest Philadelphia.
Related Schools
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People that viewed Germantown Friends School also viewed these schools: William Penn Charter School, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Friends Select School, The Shipley School and Greene Street Friends School.
The nearest high school to Germantown Friends School is Pennsylvania School For The Deaf (0.2 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is Greene Street Friends School (0.2 miles away)
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