Michael Gary Speaks: Fall 2026
Reaching a decade as head of school
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has given me a rare opportunity to step back and relfect on the story of Friends Select School, both the chapter we've written together over the past 10 years and the much longer history that continues to shape our future. |
That larger story is captured in Friends Select on the Parkway: Continuity and Change, an archives-based exhibit currently on display in the Select Gallery of our Parkway Building, curated by author and Friends Select “lifer” Amy Rosenberg Cohen ’82. Through photographs spanning more than a century, the exhibit reminds us that Friends Select has remained rooted in the heart of Philadelphia even as the city has transformed around it. By highlighting familiar moments from everyday life on campus, Friends Select on the Parkway reveals both the lasting values and the transformation that define our school.
Looking back on the past 10 years, I see a community that has steadily transformed ambitious ideas into meaningful progress. The story of the past decade is not about “me”—it’s about “we.” Together, Friends Select students, families, employees, and alumni have expanded our campus, strengthened enrollment, and deepened both our academic program and financial foundation.
This year alone, through thoughtful professional learning and cross-divisional collaboration, our faculty continue to create classrooms where every student is supported, challenged, and inspired to thrive. Meeting students where they are and challenging them to grow is more than an instructional strategy; it is a reflection of our Quaker belief in the Light within every person. The same spirit has guided the expansion of our sustainability efforts, from Earth Month initiatives to long-term campus planning, as we work to ensure that stewardship becomes part of how we learn, teach, and make decisions every day.
Looking ahead, our work is closely intertwined with our upcoming accreditation self‑study. The past decade of growth and advancement is the foundation of our report to the accrediting body. Simultaneously, the self‑study invites us to look forward and look to continuing revelation as we refine our strategic priorities, clarify where we still need to grow, and ensure that the school we are building meets the highest standards of educational excellence and Quaker integrity.
As we embark on the next chapter, the future of our school is taking shape in our physical spaces. One of the most exciting examples is the transformation of the Parkway Building’s back lot into the Friends Select Green—a vibrant, accessible outdoor hub that will serve students of all ages. It represents our belief that every space on campus should foster learning, connection, and community.
Looking back, I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in us and for the shared work that has brought Friends Select to this moment. Looking ahead, I am energized by what we will continue to build together: a school increasingly in the city and of the city, where our Quaker values, strategic vision, and daily practice come together to help every student flourish physically, spiritually, and intellectually.
