Upper School Learning Experiences

For the final month of their senior year, students devote 25 hours a week to their Senior Projects where they serve their communities, pursue significant personal interests, and analyze and reflect on these experiences in formal and informal ways. Senior Projects generally take one or more of the following forms: an internship or “shadowing” experience, an independent creative project, and/or a service project. Examples of previous Senior Projects include:

• Political Campaigning Greta dove into local politics by working on Judy Trombetta’s campaign for state representative. From writing GOTV (Get Out the Vote) postcards to door-to-door canvassing, Greta got a crash course in grassroots politics. "I've learned a lot about how a campaign works and all the time that goes into it," Greta noted, appreciating the independence the project gave her to manage her own schedule.
• Medical Research & Pulmonology Kalyan combined a medical internship with high-level research. His work on the variables that impact interstitial lung disease earned him a spot at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in Florida, where he presented his research poster. Kalyan is also looking ahead to his next academic milestone: a preliminary research paper regarding innovative techniques to treat subdural hematomas.
• Entertainment & Comedy Development Sammi dove behind the scenes of Hollywood comedy development. She screened scripts for potential network pickups, learning how to organize screenplays and provide critical coverage notes. Her feedback was so sharp that industry professionals noted her critiques mirrored those of seasoned Hulu executives.

May Term is an extension of our commitment to student engagement and innovative, immersive learning experiences. May Term courses, held over a six-day period at the end of the academic year, provide for interdisciplinary teaching and learning for grades 9-11 while building connections and relationships between students and faculty across grades and disciplines. These learning intensives offer the opportunity for students and faculty to delve deeply into topics that extend beyond the regular academic curriculum. In addition to offering students the chance to study a specific topic in depth, many May Term courses include a community component that engages students beyond the FCS campus. Click here to learn more. Example of previous May Term projects include:

• Backyard Astronomy
• Debunking Wellness
• Data In the Community: Using Data Science and Information Visualizations to Understand Major Issues Affecting Philadelphia
• Around the World through Instrument Building
• Building Belonging in Nature

Students in the Upper School are encouraged to join one (or more) of our Core Teams, a signature academic program at FCS. While we currently host three different Core Teams – science, humanities, and justice – each team offers a similar experience. A group of students from grades 9 through 12, working together with the guidance and equal participation from members of the faculty and staff, takes a deep dive into the work of a particular, scientist, artist, scholar, and/or activist. The VIBE Conference and Writers' Festival are two culminating projects stemming from Core Team work. Click here to learn more.

Each semester, the Science Department offers a certificate program in ecological monitoring and field research called “Natural Lands.” This program is different from traditional course offerings and may be taken in addition to a six-class course load. It will not carry departmental course credit, but students who complete the semester will receive recognition and reports on their contributions and progress. Students may enroll in one or both semesters of the program. The Natural Lands program offers different opportunities and experiences in each semester. Click here to learn more. 

In the spring of 2024, the biennial Writer's Festival took place for the first time. Students were joined by keynote speaker R. Eric Thomas, playwright, screenwriter, and national bestselling author of the short essay collection, Here For It, or How to Save Your Soul in America. Students took part in small workshops and interactive interviews with a range of illustrious visitors including Kate Fussner '05, Jenny Laden, Amy Meyerson '00, Ben Kenney '17, and Jasmine Martin '08. Click here to read an article about the experience in the Fall 2024 edition of Quaker Works. In 2026, Jasmine Martin '08, co-author of The UpcycledSelf, which was last year's One Book One Philadelphia selection, was the keynote speaker. Throughout the day, students attended one of twenty writing workshops taught by alumni/ae, current and former FCS parents, outside guests, and members of the FCS faculty. The list included three bestselling FCS parent writers: Neal Bascomb, Adam Cesare, and Jennifer Weiner. Workshops included "So You Want to be a Writer," "Compost Poetry: Remixing and Remaking," and "Demystifying Documentary Film Writing."

The Justice Core Team hosts a bi-annual VIBE (Voices of Inclusivity, Belonging, and Equity) Conference. Keynote speakers have included Dr. H Bernard Hall (Professor of Urban Education at Drexel University) and poet and educator Willie Perdomo. During VIBE, the community engages in student and faculty-led workshops. Workshops cover a wide range of topics, such as the role of art in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights and an experiential look at the importance of portraiture in self-representations of Black Americans. At the end of the day, students celebrate learning from the conference by contributing to a VIBE quilt, sharing about actions they can take to enhance equity at FCS.

The Natural History Research Conference showcases the culmination of a year’s worth of student‑driven ecological and molecular inquiry, bringing together student researchers who have explored everything from DNA barcoding to acoustic field methods and microbial assays. In addition to presenting their findings through scientific posters and short talks, students join a gathering that features a keynote address from a visiting researcher, engaging dialogue, and a shared celebration of discovery.  Previous speaker include:

• 2026 - Tanner Matson - Smithsonian - cryptic species of sawflies on oak
• 2025 - Mark Sabaj - Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia - Discovering new fish species in the Amazon
• 2024 - Isabella Petitta - Penn State University - Native PA bee species
• 2023 - James Lendemer - New York Botanic Garden - Lichen diversity 

Funded by an Edward E. Ford Educational Leadership Grant Friends’ Central was awarded in 2020, the Upper School hosts a bi-annual Conference on Consent and Healthy Relationships inviting high school students from area peer schools for the exciting day of speakers and workshops. Previous speakers included:

• Stacey Rose - Widener University PhD student in Human Sexuality, Founder - Pearbond - Consensuality: Consent, Sense, & Sex

• Tara Rubinstein - Educator and Founder of Artemis Pack - The Space Between "Yes" and "No"

• Isy Abraham-Raveson - Executive Director of YES! - How to Discover, Assert, and Negotiate PErsonal Boundaries

• Mark Schoen - Creator of SexSmartFilms.com - CONSENT as Shown in Short Films and Public Services Announcements

The Pan-Asian Conference is organized by the Asian Students Association. The event invited students from area schools and includes a keynote speaker, affinity groups and workshops such as Asians in Media, Identities and Authenticity, Changemaking in Schools, Food and Representation, and Parental Pressure and Mental Health.

Each year, Friends’ Central offers a free academic program for all newly enrolled and current Friends’ Central students for students entering grade 9. The Onboarding program is a stress-free way to help students refocus after a summer off, giving them the opportunity to gather and ready themselves before the school year begins. It gives students a taste of their 'school home’ as they explore skills that will support their success as students. Click here to learn more. 

Electives give students the freedom to shape their academic experience around their interests, offering both depth and variety across disciplines. In addition to core subjects, students can choose from a wide range of specialized courses—including visual arts electives like digital photography, woodworking, studio art, and design thinking—that emphasize creativity, hands-on learning, and real-world application.

Electives also extend beyond traditional departments, with “non-departmental” offerings and interdisciplinary opportunities that encourage students to explore emerging fields, collaborate across subjects, and pursue independent passions. Whether diving into the arts, innovation and design, or wellness-focused courses, students are empowered to follow their curiosity and develop skills that reflect their individual interests and goals. 

Click here to go through the entire course catalog. 

Friends’ Central’s Upper School clubs offer students a wide range of opportunities to explore their interests, build community, and take initiative outside the classroom. From affinity groups and service organizations to academic teams, arts-based clubs, and student-led publications, there’s something for everyone—and space to start something new. Students can dive into areas like robotics, debate, environmental advocacy, and cultural organizations, developing leadership skills while collaborating with peers who share their passions. Click here to learn more. 

The Peer Mentors’ primary responsibility is to support underclassmen and help them navigate the workings of the Upper School. These students serve as role models and resources for the younger students, plan and facilitate numerous events throughout the year, encourage homeroom members in their extra-curricular activities, and offer moral support to students that may be having trouble in school.  FCS students benefit from this unique program, which is invaluable in easing younger students’ transition to high school and forging connections between upperclassmen and underclassmen.

Students are welcome to participate in Affinity Groups based on a particular aspect of their identity such as race, gender, or religion. Affinity Groups meet regularly to discuss their experiences, develop skills related to identity-formation, and engage in courageous conversations. 

Friends’ Central’s competitive robotics team, the Earthquakers, offers students a collaborative engineering experience rooted in design thinking, creativity, and real-world problem solving. The Earthquakers meet year round, utilizing the tools and equipment in the Center for Innovation and Design. Throughout the fall, students train in technical skills and foundational engineering concepts. During the months of January and February, the team enters a focused eight-week design and fabrication period in which students work together to build and program a robot that competes in a global, sports-like challenge as part of the international FIRST Robotics competition program. The process mirrors professional engineering practice where students engage in research, iterative prototyping, systems thinking, and strategic decision-making while navigating the demands of teamwork and shared responsibility. Click here to learn more. 

Through the International Astronomical Collaboration (IASC), students look through data in the hopes of finding new asteroids! IASC provides high quality astronomical data to citizen scientists around the world. They are able to make original astronomical discoveries and participate in hands-on astronomy. The team has sent in over 300 reports of moving targets since 2018.  Of those, 167 have been confirmed as newly discovered asteroids or, as they are officially called, "preliminary discoveries."  A handful have gone on to become "Provisional Discoveries", meaning they await more observations before we can officially name them.

With approximately 6,800 square feet of space, the newly designed CID includes studios for design and prototyping, fabrication, technology and robotics, and the storage and finishing of student projects. Although the CID is in its early days, it is poised to catalyze one of the best years for STEAM education at Friends’ Central in its history. Click here to learn more.

The Phoenix Ambassadors Network (PhAN) is a group of dedicated students at Friends' Central who are committed to helping the School, specifically the efforts of the Admissions team. Members of this group represent and educate prospective students and families about Friends' Central through activities such as participating on student panels, leading tours, and hosting visitors in classes. Leaders of PhAN also act as a liaison between the Admissions office and students in the Upper School. 

For students who want to shape the future of FCS while building connections that last a lifetime, STAT (Students Today, Alumni/ae Tomorrow) is the chance to get involved with alumni/ae programs, plan fun events, and be part of a community that celebrates the FCS experience both now and beyond graduation. 

Each language’s classroom experience is supplemented by opportunities for travel abroad. Latin students may travel to Italy to see the monuments of the Romans – ancient and modern – and read their Latin inscriptions. French and Spanish students may take part in exchange opportunities with schools in Lyon, France and Seville, Spain. Summer service programs in Costa Rica and Peru may also be available to students to further their study of the Spanish language, and a summer trip to Québec City, Canada may be planned for French students.

Varsity teams may have the opportunity to travel for training or competition. See below some examples of trips that have occurred in the past:

• Girls' Basketball - Phoenix, Arizona for the Nike Tournament of Champions
• Baseball - Spring Training trip to Myrtle Beach, SC
• Softball - Spring Training Trip to Hilton Head, SC 
• Boys' Tennis - Team trip to Orlando, FL
• Boys' and Girls' Basketball - NCAA Scholastic Basketball Event in Baltimore, MD

Clubs that excel are often invited to championship-level events. Our faculty also strives to find opportunities for our students to travel for educational opportunities depending on the class. Below are a few examples:

• The Robotics team, the Earthquakers earned top ranks in order to qualify to compete in the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas.
• The DECA team, who were local finalists, traveled to the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Each year the Medical Innovations Club presents at Main Line Health’s annual Annenberg Symposium. 
• A student traveled to the American Astronomical Society in Phoenix, Arizona to present a procedure he developed to follow up on Asteroid detection. 
• Students participating in the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference have traveled to schools across the coast such as Moses Brown Friends School in Providence, Rhode Island. 
• Theater students participate in the CAPPIES, a regional theater awards program that celebrates excellence in high school productions, and are consistently recognized with nominations and awards for their outstanding work on stage and behind the scenes.

Whether a student has been at Friends' Central since Lower School or are joining the community for the first time, each year brings together a new class of students. Grade-level trips provide shared experiences that strengthen friendships, welcome new classmates, and build the sense of community that defines the Upper School experience.

• We know how important it is for our ninth graders to build meaningful connections with one another, their Peer Mentors, and their teachers. Each year in the fall, the entire ninth grade goes on on a retreat to the Poconos. Pinemere Camp, specializes in hosting group retreats. Click here to learn more. 
• At the beginning of the year, tenth graders travel to Ocean City, NJ, where they strengthen existing friendships, build new connections, and begin the year as a more connected class.
• In the spring, eleventh graders take a day trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where they engage with history, reflect on important stories, and strengthen connections with their classmates through a shared learning experience.

• The senior experience varies from year to year, but each class enjoys special traditions and celebrations that strengthen their bonds and mark the culmination of their Friends' Central journey.

Throughout the school year, students take curriculum-based class trips that extend learning beyond the classroom. These experiences allow students to engage directly with the people, places, and ideas they are studying, bringing academic concepts to life through hands-on exploration. Each trip is thoughtfully designed to deepen understanding and enrich the curriculum. Below is a short list of the many trips students take each year:

• A group of science students traveled to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to see the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and learn more from scientists on the Roman team about the science that this next generation space telescope will make possible.
• As part of the History & Culture curriculum students studied the opera Carmen and then traveled to the Academy of Music to see the performance live.
• The Atmospheric Science and Climate Change class visited Monica Cryan from PHL17 in studio. Monica shared about her local connection to the area, educational background, and how she creates her forecasts.
• Modern European History students spent time at the Philadelphia Athenaeum, including a seminar session in the Athenaeum board room, a tour of the facility, and walk through Washington Square area sites.

The Science Department is offers a ten-day field ecology study program at two sites in coastal Maine, running from late July to early August. The program provides an immersive study experience in a unique northern coastal environment, combining exploration of both marine and terrestrial ecology and species assemblages. Click here to learn more. 

Since 2012, students from the Upper School Chorus have participated in a number of choral music festivals in New York City, produced by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY). These three-day events allow our students the opportunity to work with internationally recognized conductors, sing with other high school and college students from around the world, and be part of once-in-a-lifetime performances at either Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center. Click here to learn more. 

Community service at Friends’ Central School is part of the School’s identity, culture, and tradition. We believe that caring for our school, local, and global communities serves the guiding testimonies of stewardship, community, peace, and integrity. The program teaches a real world understanding of issues of social justice and challenges stereotypes existing within all of us. As we educate students who will face the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century, it is important that we cultivate the skills and understanding of real world problems they will need to affect social change. Service work creates strong individual and institutional relationships, which in turn strengthen our community and each student's sense of self-worth. Many service projects bring our students into contact with people and situations they might not often encounter – in hospitals, soup kitchens, legal aid organizations, and nursing homes. Gaining confidence and a sense of comfort in these varying contexts, developing empathy and compassion, and meeting challenges with flexibility and good cheer will inform the personal and professional decisions our students make throughout their lives. 

Service Days: are the hallmark of the service-learning program in the Upper School. For our Upper School students, community service and social analysis are partnered. In September, our grade 12 students host panel discussions informing students in grades 9-11 about the work they have done at over 30 not for profit agencies in the prior years. Students then select service projects of interest to them. They then spend 3 concurrent days with a group of 6-10 others students and a faculty member working on a project in one of the following five categories: Early Childhood Education, Environmental Stewardship, Elders and Community Care, Health and Human Services and Hunger/Homelessness/Poverty. The groups spend time in preparation and reflection, in addition to hands-on service work. In May, the same groups return to the same projects for two concurrent days to these same projects.

Upper School students participate in campus service projects.These projects give students greater insight into their daily community and provide opportunities for collaboration, teamwork and self discipline. Working with faculty and staff, this program gives students the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the entire School community.

All students are assigned to co-op in the dining hall once a year. This occurs the last 10 minutes of a block in which the Upper School students have the option (one they usually exercise) of using the dining hall. Co-op students push in or stack chairs, clean tables and sweep up as much as possible.

This is an attempt to be good stewards of our shared space so that it is usable for others, to aid the people who do the more intense cleaning later in the day, and to take ownership of our presence in the dining hall.

The student-run Service Committee is responsible for hosting monthly events that invite the FCS community to reach out to our neighbors. This long-standing committee gives students with a passion for service the opportunity to lead the Upper School community in endeavors that help to train our focus on those who are on the margins of our society. These events have included fundraisers such as a smoothie sale to benefit AIDS Fund, a car wash to benefit Aid for Friends, and selling pies for MANNA. Additionally, we also do an in-gathering of goods for organizations like Philabundance, Cradles to Crayons and Children’s Crisis Treatment Center.

Our students’ on-going service projects are: tutoring Universal Daroff Students and excess food packing/delivery on Fridays. Each Monday, Katie-at-the-Bat transports twelve fourth grade students to FCS to work with 6-10 Upper School tutors. Each Friday after the last lunch in our Dining Hall, a team of students and teachers work to pack the perishable food leftovers and transport them to the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County.