Germantown Friends School

Phenomenal school. There is a depth to the education here like no other place. The students become quality writers and thinkers. My children who are currently attending are not overloaded with homework, but they do work hard ... meaningful work. And the community has a depth to it ... diverse cultures, ethnicities, and socio-economic levels. They will come out with a college level education.
--Submitted by a parent

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE! While GFS has some of the good qualities of other Quaker schools, the education here is ironically sub-par while sucking the life out of the kids. Parents who equate a crushing amount of homework with "a quality education" cheerfully overpay to have their kids destroyed by the workload and robbed of their childhoods. My son transferred at the end of 8th grade because - although he was getting A's - we believe in having time for a balanced life, not in trading all your present-day happiness for some presumed benefit in the future. When he transferred to public school, he was BEHIND IN EVERYTHING, especially math, science and english. He had an algebra class at GFS where - I'm not even kidding - they taught him to solve a math problem by counting sugar cubes instead of learning how to do the manipulation on paper! So parents, don't be suckers. You're buying a brand, but not much else - except years of pointless anguish for your child. If that's what you want, you're looking at the right school.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to GFS during the early nineties from K-6. Yes, the academics are outstanding, my brother graduated and his time at GFS has given him a great work ethic, an ivy league diploma and many opportunities . It is true however that if you have any type of learning or behavior disability no support is offered. I lived in Germantown, my parents both well respected academics and the parents were extremely rude because of where we lived. If you do not learn at the same pace as the other children, the TEACHER not the student will embarrass and scold your child. The children were in no ways bullies, the teachers and parents were. If you send your child here, you will no doubt invest in a very high level of education; the competitive nature, which is not very Quakerly, might leave some lasting wounds.

As an admissions student tour guide I am always asked the question: "What is the typical GFS student?" This question I tell them is impossible to answer with some many different types of students having different backgrounds and passions. As a GFS lifer, I can only think of three commonalities among students: very intelligent, hardworking, and down to earth. GFS is an extremely academically rigorous high school, which while being a positive attribute, has its drawbacks. Starting in tenth grade students start getting competitive with each other about grades, and it sometimes becomes overwhelming. However, that is really my only complaint. I have never come across a teacher at GFS who wasn't passionate about their job, and helping a student do their best. Because of the close-knit atmosphere, I have developed amazing lifelong friends. The urban environment surrounding GFS, which some could see as a negative, I think of as a positive. It is constantly making students aware of their surroundings and diminishes the stereotypical "elite prep school feel." I just want to thank GFS for a job well done in preparing me for the real world and allowing me to pursue my interests.

There is truth in what some are saying about this school. During an admissions process my son spent the day at this school. They were alarmed because he seemed different. The teacher seemed irritated when I returned. My son has Asperger's Syndrome and is very bright. However, they didn't care about his intelligence -- only about his different behavior. Many "elite" schools don't take kindly to differences -- even though they may be turning away a genius. My son was not accepted.
--Submitted by a parent

Germantown Friends provides the best education in the Quaker tradition. It was the best gift I could give my daughter and will sustain her throughout her life.
--Submitted by a parent

It's a great college prep school. I went to college and aced everything so clearly I was prepared. In many ways the school does follow 'Quaker values' but there is an underlying competitiveness that the administration tries to pretend isn't there by not having academic awards. It's very strange because though the entirety of the student body is competitive from an academic standpoint, there is also a large amount of cheating going on which (though it is a negative trait and against the rules) speaks to the sense of loyalty students have with each other. RE: The parent with the child with ADD: Your child must have just not been up to GFS's high standards. The number of children in my class alone with ADD/ADHD was probably higher than the national average. Many people with it excelled and continue to do so. So it might just be your kid.
--Submitted by a student

From the Admissions process right on through to the classroom - top notch. 7th grade writing is high level - not just rephrasing what is in the text, but comprehending and analyzing - not dumbed down at all. In addition the way field trips intertwine with cross-curricular studies is thoughtful and meaningful. My child also is benefiting from from the communal Meeting for Worship - quiet, reflective time each week. Kudos from a happy parent.
--Submitted by a parent

my daughter is a lifer, great education, smart kids, too many stuck up parents!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of two children at GFS... it is a great school at the K to 3 level. They really are a Quaker school that sticks to its Quaker values.... holds meeting for worship at all grade levels. At times it feels like GFS is a bit behind the times, but it does offer a caring, nurturing environment - and for a very expensive private school, you will find that it is NOT a 'snobby' environment like some other reviewers have stated. The kids are taught excellent values and service to their community. I wish it were less costly to send my kids there, but the whole school is very down to earth and really cares about diversity and its families.
--Submitted by a parent