A Transformative Partnership | News | Friends Select School

Removing Financial Barriers
 
Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, the TCEI grant will cover the full tuition and associated costs for two new Friends Select students entering kindergarten, continuing through 8th grade. As part of this new partnership, Friends Select will cover the full tuition and associated costs for participating students in grades 9 through 12. Designed to ensure that recipients and their families can fully participate in the life of the school and are embraced as members of the Friends Select community, the grant will also remove financial barriers that often limit access to extracurricular activities, enrichment opportunities, and other aspects of school life 

TCEI partners with leading independent schools across the country to provide access for socioeconomically disadvantaged children, and believes that the greatest ability to impact an individual’s long-term success comes during their early education years. This ethos aligns with Friends Select’s Quaker values of respect for all, integrity, and the continual search for truth. “TCEI saw in Friends Select a community that not only speaks about equity, but lives it through our Quaker values, our use of Philadelphia as a vibrant classroom, and our commitment to widening opportunities for families historically excluded from independent schools,” said Rohan Arjun P’38, director of enrollment management and financial aid. “TCEI was drawn to our mission because Friends Select approaches access as both a moral imperative and a transformative tool for changing lives. This partnership allows us to amplify that impact in a sustained, generational way.” The selection process will follow the school’s existing holistic approach to admission. Rohan emphasized his team will identify children whose curiosity, resilience, and eagerness to learn would allow them to thrive at Friends Select, as well as families who seek an environment grounded in Quaker values and meaningful community engagement. Students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, for whom this opportunity would alter their life outcomes, will be prioritized. “Equity will shape every stage of the process. We will continue to use objective review practices, partner with community organizations, and broaden outreach so that families who might not traditionally engage with independent school admissions have the information, support, and encouragement they need,” Rohan explained. “Our aim is to ensure not just fairness, but true accessibility—supporting families from the moment they learn about the opportunity, to the moment their child enters our doors, and throughout their educational experience at Friends Select.”

Collaborating Across Divisions

What made Friends Select’s grant proposal stand out was its approach to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). Christine Jefferson P’18, former chief development officer, spearheaded a cross-divisional effort to create a compelling application that centered on delivering a Friends Select education through a DEIB lens, with a focus on issues such as self-identity and cultural competency. “We wanted TCEI to see that their gift wasn’t just opening doors, but also giving students the tools to understand themselves and appreciate one another,” she said.

Christine shared that the school-wide collaboration was integral in authentically communicating what makes Friends Select so special. “What’s most impactful is how this work brings us together to support students and families. It’s a shared success that I hope inspires us to keep reaching higher,” she said. “We hear it all the time: the world needs more Friends Select students, and this grant makes that possible, not just for those who can afford it, but for any family who sees the value in our education.” This initiative—the largest financial aid grant the school has ever received—deeply aligns with Advance Friends Select, the school’s strategic plan, which prioritizes both endowment growth and a longstanding commitment to affordability, enabling a Friends Select education for students regardless of financial circumstances.

During the current school year, Friends Select provided over $7 million in need-based financial aid, with over 40% of its 665 enrolled students receiving a grant. The TCEI grant builds on this foundation, strengthening the school’s ability to respond to the growing need for equity and accessibility in independent school education.

Cultivating a Diverse Learning Environment

Beyond its immediate impact, the TCEI grant is also expected to have a broader influence on the Friends Select community. Michael Gary hopes the grant will showcase the school’s values to prospective families, current donors, and alumni, inspiring confidence and continued support for financial aid. “We want our endowment one day to cover the full breadth of our financial aid needs, which will be the truest measure of living our mission of access. The TCEI grant is a bold step in that direction,” he added.

As each new cohort joins the Friends Select family, the hope is for layered and lasting transformation. “We’re not just adding students,” Michael explained. “We’re cultivating a diverse and vibrant learning environment where each and every child, regardless of their background, comes to know they truly belong.” He envisions a decade from now, looking back with pride at the personal growth and evolving culture that this milestone has sparked. “It’s often years later that you see how educational opportunities have changed lives. My wish is that these students will someday say, ‘My life was forever altered by being part of this community.’”