Above Board: Doing Hard Things...Together | News | Friends Select School

 

 

Giving Back: Harold and Linda Yaffe GP’34

From our first meeting with head of school Michael Gary,

 

it was clear to us that his leadership, energy, and vision for Friends Select were exemplary and dynamic, and in alignment with what we wanted for our granddaughter. For the three years that our granddaughter has flourished at Friends Select, we have become acutely aware that the school must be supported so that it can continue to offer the finest education and environment for all of its students to succeed and compete in today’s world.

 

Friends Select has nurtured our granddaughter, now in third grade, in an environment that is accepting, diverse, and challenging. 

In that time, we have seen her grow emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

We hope to garner other parents and grandparents to contribute to the Back Lot Transformation initiative that clearly will move Friends Select to yet another level of excellence and attract other potential families to consider attending the school. It would foster another exciting environment for all students to socialize, exercise, and have private moments to share with each other.

For information on how to support the Back Lot Transformation, contact Christine Jefferson, chief development officer, at 
chrisj@friends-select.org or 215-561-5900 x3141.
 

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.

 

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