George School, a Quaker boarding and day school in Newtown, PA, has announced a transformative $17.75 million gift from an anonymous George School family to be added to the George School endowment.

"These funds will be a significant step toward our goal of ensuring that each of our students receives the fullness of a George School experience unrestricted by the financial constraints more and more of our families feel in their efforts to provide the best possible education for their students,” said Head of School Justin Brandon. 

The $17.75M gift will be distributed among three funds: 

The Fund for International and Experiential Learning builds on George School’s long-storied travel learning program, expanding academic and service travel offerings, and allowing every student access to an opportunity that is a hallmark of a George School education.

The Fund for Student Activities will enhance and expand both the scope of co-curricular programming and access to it, providing richer experiences outside of the classroom for the entire student community.

The Fund for Student Leadership Development will fund new on- and off-campus programming geared toward recognizing and developing the leadership potential and unique light within all our students. 

With focus on three interrelated, mission-centric components—the development of a strong, vibrant community; teaching the value of learning to lead from wherever you sit; and the critical importance of shaping a global world view—these funds will both enhance programs and provide a more financially equitable experience for every George School student.

The Engaged Citizenship program centers on service and experiential learning which has been woven into the George School curriculum for over 75 years. It does not center on educational tourism; rather, explains program director Meredith Baldi, “it’s about diving deep into understanding structural issues in our world, and what the limits are. It is about learning more about the self, what you can contribute, and what you need to work on.”

Meredith sees this fund as a critical and transformative building block for the program. “Understanding global issues from a lived and seen place of understanding helps cultivate a desire in our students and alumni to promote peace and justice throughout their lives,” Meredith said. “Being able to offer this powerful and tangible course experience to every student will be exponentially impactful.”

Funds for both student activities and leadership training affirm the power that a residential learning experience can provide for all students.

“Students may choose George School for the academic program,” explains Assistant Head for Student Life Mb Duckett Ireland, “but everything surrounding that—the leadership skills they build in clubs and on teams, the life skills they gain from living and socializing with friends from around the world, and their creative pursuits—adds the ‘something special’ to their George School experience.”

“We are tremendously excited and deeply grateful,” Justin said. “This generous gift will serve as a key step in supporting the integration of our co-curricular student opportunities as consistent, equitable, and deep parts of our learning environment."