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Penn Charter

@penncharter

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Founded by William Penn in 1689, Penn Charter is a top independent PK-12 school located in Philadelphia and the oldest Quaker school in the world.

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Join us next Tuesday, July 28, for a special summer checkout event in the Lower School Library from 2:00 to 3:30 pm! Students and families are invited to stop by, browse our collection, and pick out some great reads to enjoy during the final stretch of summer.

After visiting the library, head out to the patio for a sweet treat and a chance to relax, connect with friends, and celebrate the joy of reading together. We hope to see you there for an afternoon of books, sunshine, and summer fun! by @penncharter

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2 days ago

At Studio Arts Exploration Camp, students explore 2D and 3D art through drawing, painting, sewing, sculpture and hands-on projects. When not creating individual works, campers collaborate on community projects, building with found objects, blocks, ramps and natural materials, all while letting imagination lead the way. Activities are tailored to each child’s interests and skill level, making every day full of discovery and fun. For more information about Penn Charter's summer camps, go to penncharter.com/summercamp or our link in bio. by @penncharter

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4 days ago

We know there's a month left before school - but don't forget about your summer work! For more info about what students need to complete at each grade level for Middle School and Upper School, go to the Hub and click on Resources. See our link in bio for a link to the Hub. by @penncharter

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8 days ago

At Wonder-Lab camp, young explorers are invited to dive into chemistry, physics, biology, earth science and engineering through experiments, labs and exciting challenges. Campers mix chemicals, build simple machines, explore living systems, and test real-world science concepts—all while thinking, predicting, collaborating and learning. Activities are tailored to each child’s interests and skill level, encouraging confidence, creativity and a love of science. By the end of the week, campers leave not only with new knowledge and unique experiments under their belt, but also a lasting sense of curiosity and excitement about the world around them. For more information about Penn Charter's summer camps, go to https://www.penncharter.com/summercamp or our link in bio. by @penncharter

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9 days ago

Thanks to you, we did it! Over 1,500 community members helped us end the 2025-2026 year strong by exceeding our Penn Charter Annual Fund goal of $1.75 million. We are so grateful for your support!

The Annual Fund strengthens every aspect of a Penn Charter education—outstanding academics, vibrant arts and athletics programs, talented, dedicated faculty, meaningful service learning that engages community organizations, and the resources students need to thrive. Thank you again for all that you do for Penn Charter! by @penncharter

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11 days ago

It's a hard knock life in rehearsals for PC Performing Arts Show Camp—but so much fun! This year's production is a forever favorite, "Annie." With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. She eventually foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Families are invited to the big performance on Friday, July 24 at 11 am! For more info on Penn Charter's summer camps, go to penncharter.com/summercamp. by @penncharter

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15 days ago

Penn Charter is thrilled to announce Dave Bass OPC '88 as the new varsity girls basketball head coach for 2026-2027! Dave brings 30+ years of coaching experience, including 13 at the varsity level. He led Abington Friends School to three straight Friends Schools League titles, then coached PC's varsity girls team from 2010-2013. He also spent a decade with Philadelphia Youth Basketball, plus stints coaching Middle School basketball and soccer, varsity track/hurdles, and even led PC's boys varsity team to an Inter-Ac championship as interim coach.

A dedicated member of the PC community, Dave returns with both a proven track record and a deep commitment to Quaker education. "I look forward to building a positive, successful, and inclusive culture — developing a full program from Lower and Middle School through the Upper School, and making the Penn Charter experience accessible to more talented, multi-sport athletes," Dave said. by @penncharter

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18 days ago

In 2016, Former Head of School Darryl Ford and Jacquelyn Hamilton created the ISTF program to address the perennial need for teachers from underrepresented identities, particularly aspiring educators of color, in independent schools. Since its inception, William Penn Charter School has served as the lead institution responsible for managing and administering this program.

The ISTF program is a two-year teaching fellowship that includes hands-on classroom experiences, mentorship, weekly professional development and an opportunity to earn an advanced degree at a reduced cost. While some teaching fellowship programs are based solely in one school, the ISTF program is a multi-school collaborative. This year we partnered with Agnes Irwin School, Community Partnership School, Friends’ Central School and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

At the end of the year, we celebrated the teaching fellows who had participated for the 2025-26 school year (Canaan Bethea, Erika Baylor, Ashlee Wellenreiter, Aurora Seamon, Kira Wu-Hacohen and Faith Jones) at a gathering where they shared their experiences and what they had accomplished during the year. We look forward to supporting them in what they do next! by @penncharter

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19 days ago

In honor of Independence Day and America's 250th birthday, we dug through our archives to learn more about Penn Charter's early years and the Revolutionary Period.

William Penn proposed as early as 1683 that "Care be taken about the Learning and Instruction of Youth, to wit: a school of arts and sciences," and wrote to Provincial Council president Thomas Lloyd asking him to start a school. Founded in 1689, when Philadelphia's population was only a few hundred, the school likely had just a dozen students. It was the first school in history to teach science, geography, mathematics, navigation and surveying alongside the more traditional Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Its first headmaster, Scottish Quaker scholar George Keith, went on to write "An Exhortation & Caution to Friends concerning buying or keeping Negroes" in 1693 — the first published protest against slavery.

Charles Thomson, a Latin teacher and head of school from 1755-1757, became Secretary to the Continental Congress in 1774, serving through fifteen pivotal years up to the 1789 adoption of the Federal Constitution. Robert Proud, headmaster from 1761-1770, later gained renown for his major work, "The History of Pennsylvania in North America."

Penn Charter had already been a school for 87 years when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and its history is as complex and fascinating as America's own. Happy 4th of July. by @penncharter

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22 days ago

This summer, Penn Charter's campus is getting some upgrades! The Main Building facade and iconic clock tower is currently undergoing the first phase of a multi-year refurbishment that requires the use of a crane and scaffolding on the front patio. To prepare for the facade and clock tower enhancements, the existing landscaping in front of the building was removed in early June. It will be restored over time to complement the broader campus design. The dining hall has also begun a phased renovation co-funded by our dining partners CulinArt that will cover new refrigeration, flooring, and furniture, expected to be completed in August, just in time for the 2026-2027 school year! We look forward to welcoming our students back to a newly updated and refreshed campus. by @penncharter

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23 days ago

On the menu at Penn Charter's summer cooking camp: roasted beets on a bed of arugula with ricotta and rosemary! By arranging their ingredients in different ways, students learned how to make their dishes look appealing and delicious through styles of food presentation. Bon appetit!

For more info about PC's summer camps, visit penncharter.com/summercamp by @penncharter

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25 days ago

A big thank you to Penn Charter's Asian Student Association (ASA) for supporting NSC through their recent snack sale fundraiser! 🎉

We are grateful for your generosity, initiative, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of immigrants and refugees in our community. Funds raised through efforts like yours help support critical services that empower newcomers as they build new lives in Philadelphia.

Thank you for standing with our clients and helping create a more welcoming community for all! by @penncharter

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a month ago