Quaker Roots & Social Justice

Fostering peace, inclusion, and unity at Friends Select School.

QUAKER EDUCATION

In addition to its college preparatory academic mission, Friends Select School is fully committed to the Quaker testimonies—simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity and justice, and stewardship (SPICES)—and practices of the Religious Society of Friends, which are integral to the life of the school and its community.

This Quaker influence manifests itself daily in the practice of peaceful resolution of conflict, service toward others, and respect and inclusion. Friends Select is in a “care relationship” with the Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting (Race Street) and the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia (Arch Street).

Community

QUAKER COMMUNITY

Quakerism is also incorporated into social-emotional learning in our school. Students are encouraged to manage their conflicts peacefully, to advocate for each other, and to seek resolution in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Our curriculum emphasizes social justice as central to the promotion of peace.

Worship

MEETING FOR WORSHIP

From an early age, Friends Select students learn what it means to experience and participate in Meeting for Worship. Once a week, each of the school's three divisions walks to the Race Street Meetinghouse. In the manner of Friends, Meeting for Worship takes place in a silent search for truth; those who are moved to speak rise to do so out of the silence. At times during the year, the entire school community gathers together for Meeting for Worship.

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“The intersection of our Quaker roots and the heart of social justice work does not exist; it is one and the same.”

Toni Graves Williamson

Director of Equity and Inclusion

Social Justice in Action

Students Participate in the Mayor’s African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee

Two Friends Select students had the privilege to serve on former Mayor Jim Kenney’s African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee convened by the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy (OACCE).

Students Lead Voter Registration Drive at Shackamaxon Powwow

Friends Select upper school students facilitated a voter registration drive last September at the Shackamaxon Powwow at Penn Treaty Park. Hosted annually by the Native American House Alliance (NAHA)—a nonprofit organization that supports family, housing, and employment services to the local Native American community—the Shackamaxon Powwow honors Lenape culture and heritage.

Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: A Q&A with Author Amy Cohen ’82”

Amy Cohen’s first book, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy, was recently published by Temple University Press.

The Growth of Our Big Sibs/Little Sibs Program

The Big Sibs/Little Sibs program was piloted in a virtual format for less than 10 pairs of students at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It now enrolls over 35 pairs of Black students, as well as other students of color in the school’s Latine and Asian communities.

Students Participate in the Mayor’s African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee

Students Lead Voter Registration Drive at Shackamaxon Powwow

Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: A Q&A with Author Amy Cohen ’82

Amy Cohen’s first book, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy, was recently published by Temple University Press.

The Growth of Our Big Sibs/Little Sibs Program

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.

Tue, 09 Dec 2025

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.

Tue, 02 Dec 2025

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.

Mon, 01 Dec 2025

Joyful Learning

Friends Select School is creating a learning environment in which academic challenges and intellectual curiosity thrive alongside joy in learning.

Wed, 19 Nov 2025

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.

Tue, 07 Oct 2025

Alum Spotlight: Dr. Susan C. Taylor ’75

Documentary photographer Milton Lindsay ’07 traces his passion for photography back to Friends Select’s art classes, where the Quaker values embedded in the curriculum fostered his commitment to social justice.

Tue, 07 Oct 2025

Alum Spotlight: Bill Savitt ’80

Tue, 30 Sep 2025

Alum Spotlight: Milton Lindsay ’07

Fri, 02 May 2025

Going For Gold: Andrea Kremer ’76, Traci Green ’96, and Maia Weintraub ’21

Friends Select School is proud to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our alumni, who excel in diverse fields while embodying the values instilled in them during their time at the school. Three remarkable Friends Select alumnae—Andrea Kremer ’76, Traci Green ’96, and Maia Weintraub ’21—exemplify this tradition.

Fri, 02 May 2025

Michael Gary Speaks: Spring 2025

As I reflect on the vibrant and dynamic community at Friends Select School, I am filled with a profound sense of awe.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE

Friends Select is committed to being an antiracist school, as evidenced by professional development for employees, as well as our efforts to shape our curriculum to include a range of perspectives. We have social justice projects woven through all divisions, a Big Sibs/Little Sibs program that pairs upper school and lower school students of color, and affinity groups and spaces where students can speak freely. We are proud to provide high-quality education rooted in the Quaker values of respect for all, simplicity, the peaceful resolution of conflict, and a constant search for truth. Our teachers lift up student voice and agency, educating and empowering students to challenge the status quo regarding social justice, climate justice, LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, and more. In this way, Friends Select students are prepared to become active citizens for the whole of life.

Social Justice

Quaker Roots & Social Justice | Friends Select School | Philadelphia

Quaker Roots & Social Justice