Quaker School

Germantown Friends School

#1 in Best Private High Schools in Pennsylvania

grade A+
Overall Grade
Private, Quaker
PK, K-12
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Rating 4.19 out of 5 99 reviews

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A+

Overall Niche Grade

How are grades calculated?Data Sources

Academics
grade A+
Diversity
grade A
Teachers
grade A+
College Prep
grade A+
Clubs & Activities
grade A+
Sports
grade B+

germantownfriends.org

(215) 951-2300

31 WEST COULTER STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19144

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About Germantown Friends School...

Applying

Application Deadline

December 10

Application Fee

$45

Interview Required

Yes

Required/Recommended Tests

ISEE, SSAT, TOEFL

Tuition

Yearly Tuition

$41,500

Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.

Received Financial Aid

33%

Average Financial Aid

$21,018

From Germantown Friends School

Founded in 1845, Germantown Friends School (GFS) is a Quaker, independent day school for students in preschool through grade 12 located in the historic Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. 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. Visit our website to read more.

Upcoming Events

Summer Camps
June 12, 8:45 am
31 West Coulter Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
View Event Description
Summertime at GFS invites children of all ages to explore and cultivate their interests, engage in the community surrounding Germantown Friends School, and foster new friendships during the summer. We invite campers to be inquisitive and curious about themselves, their community, and their world all while emphasizing traditional summertime fun. Each camp is designed for campers to answer that important life question: “What will my unique contribution to the world be?” By exploring what’s possible, campers will be confident no matter the answer.
Summertime at GFS invites children of all ages to explore and cultivate their interests, engage in the community surrounding Germantown Friends School, and foster new friendships during the summer. We invite campers to be inquisitive and curious about themselves, their community, and their world all while emphasizing traditional summertime fun. Each camp is designed for campers to answer that important life question: “What will my unique contribution to the world be?” By exploring what’s possible, campers will be confident no matter the answer.

View All Upcoming Events

Germantown Friends School Rankings

Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

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Academics

Average Graduation Rate

100%

Average SAT

1380

199 responses

Average ACT

72 responses

Niche College Admissions Calculator

Popular Colleges

Niche users from this school are most interested in the following colleges.

grade A+
University of Pennsylvania
171 Students
grade A+
Brown University
81 Students
grade A+
New York University
81 Students
grade A+
Columbia University
74 Students
grade A minus
Temple University
62 Students
grade A+
Yale University
62 Students
grade A
University of Pittsburgh
61 Students
grade A minus
Drexel University
58 Students
grade A+
Georgetown University
54 Students
grade A+
Tufts University
53 Students

More About Germantown Friends School Academics

Upper School January Term (J-Term)

Through a month-long program of “mini courses,” January Term (J-Term) provides teachers and students a space for experimentation, investigation, and reflection. This enables our community explore new passions, interests, and interdisciplinary ways of learning about the world and ourselves.

Learn More

Culture & Safety

Poll

93%

of students agree that they feel safe at their school. 15 responses

Poll

87%

of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there. 15 responses

Poll

What are your favorite school events or traditions?

Based on 25 responses

Holiday assemblies
36%
Concerts, plays
32%
Sports Assemblies
16%
Study of civil rights
12%
Unity Day
4%

Students

Diversity

Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.

Students

1,129

76%

of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive. 17 responses

82%

of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy. 17 responses

59%

of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic. 17 responses

Preschool

Annual Cost

$23,250

Cost is for the most complete schedule offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.

Starting Age

2 years 7 months

Pre-K Student-Teacher Ratio

4:1

Website

bit.ly/3zdmq1x

Offers Full Week
Yes
Offers Part Week
Yes
Offers Full Day
Yes
Offers Part Day
Yes

Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

National

17:1

Poll

84%

of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons. 19 responses

Poll

95%

of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students. 19 responses

Poll

95%

of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom. 19 responses

Map

Homes For Sale

View Nearby Homes

Clubs & Activities

A+

Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.

Girls Athletic Participation

Very High

Boys Athletic Participation

Very High

100%

of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. 14 responses

79%

of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need. 14 responses

86%

of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations. 14 responses

C+

Overall Niche Grade

How are grades calculated?Data Sources

Cost of Living
grade B minus
Good for Families
grade C
Housing
grade D

Median Household Income

$12,856

National

$69,021

Median Rent

$696

National

$1,163

Median Home Value

$210,029

National

$244,900

Germantown Friends School Reviews

99 reviews

Overall, I've had a lot of fun here at GFS. I really felt the school's Quaker values shine through throughout my experience here, whether it was through calling teachers by their first names, or beginning certain classes with moments of silence, or attending weekly Meeting for Worship. It felt like the teachers were genuinely invested in seeing their students succeed, and were always very accessible. For the most part, the students were just as great, both inside and outside of class. It is a touch cliquey, but overall, there was a great sense of community, and I loved my time at GFS.

As a recent grad who went to GFS for 7 years, I can say that the school changed my life. No, it wasn't "perfect", but I love it and will be forever thankful for going there. Each student at GFS has a unique personality, and the environment is such that people can express themselves and not only be accepted, but embraced by the whole community. It is definitely more of a humanities centered school, but students will learn valuable deep thinking and analysis skills that will carry them through their lives. In addition, the teachers are incredibly accessible. If you ask them about an assignment, or even just want advice, they are respectful, helpful, and caring. Even after graduation, teachers still reach out and ask how I am doing. I also appreciate the creative nature of the school. J-Term changed my life in so many positive ways! Over the four years, J-term allowed me to start a new school club, student teach, and participate in two school exchanges.
GFS is such an amazing school.

I often questioned throughout my time at GFS why my parents were spending the ridiculous cost to attend the school, and I will say I am still unsure if the money was worth it. One thing I do know, is that the education and college prep is top-notch, and much of general school culture is centered around maintaining a good academic record. Everyone is willing to learn and work hard to earn an A, the grade that is considered the norm. While this is morally questionable, there is no denying how it affected me as a student who often struggled to get A's. I believe that being surrounded by peers who had very high standards set for themselves raised my own standards and pushed me to put more effort into certain classes. While there are definitely a good handful of kids in each class who will do anything for an A, from cheating to practically begging the teacher for a desired grade, there are also fantastic faculty and peers who pushed me to become the greatest version of myself possible.

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About

Applying

Tuition

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Summer Camps

Germantown Friends School Rankings

YouTube Video

Academics

Popular Colleges

Upper School January Term (J-Term)

Culture & Safety

Instagram Posts

Students

Preschool

Teachers

Map

Home Listings

Clubs & Activities

Living in the Area

Germantown Friends School Reviews

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