Montclair High School

Director of Admission Kim Major p ’23 & ’26 hosts a Q & A session for newly enrolled students and their families.

Watch the recording here

Current George School students host a Q & A about life at GS.

Watch the recording here.

Director of Admission Kim Major p ’23 & ’26 will be available for a Q & A session for newly enrolled students and their families on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Join here!

Meeting ID: 810 5986 2330
Passcode: 603095

Learn more about weekend activities, residence life, clubs and organizations, and life at GS outside of the classroom.

Watch the recording here.

Learn more about our athletics program with Director of Athletics Kurt Ruch, coaches, and current students.

Watch the recording here.

Listen to members of our arts faculty and current George School students host a discussion about visual and performing arts at George School.

Watch the recording here.

Interested in learning more about the Signature Academic Program at George School and diving into the courses offered? Listen to faculty and current George School students present about academics at George School.

Watch the recording here.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan will be observed from the evening of Wednesday, March 22 to the evening of Friday, April 21.

Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. (Source: Islamic Networks Group)

George School seeks to support our Muslim community members During Ramadan: Throughout the month, energy and concentration levels might be lower than usual for our Muslim community members. They may be juggling school and life obligations and extracurricular activities while fasting during Ramadan. Faculty, coaches, dorm parents, and staff will be mindful and understanding of their observance and support them as best as possible, with awareness of the following:

• A designated prayer space is open on the second floor of the meetinghouse during the school day.
• Students who feel the need to refrain from sports or PE during Ramadan should discuss their needs with their advisor, teachers and coaches, and visit the SHWC as needed.
• Not all Muslims will fast during Ramadan, for various reasons. For example, younger children may only fast for part of the day, or not at all. It is best not to assume that all Muslim students and community members will be fasting.
• Non-Muslim community members should refrain from comments regarding specific practices during Ramadan, as they can show a lack of understanding and sensitivity.
• With thanks to Gayle Kowalewski and CulinArt, meals and snacks will be provided to our boarding students who plan to observe Ramadan.

Learn more about Ramadan.

If a student is feeling ill, they should not come to school. School policy requires that community members return to class when fever-free without medication for a 24-hour period. Students who are not feeling well while at school should visit the SHWC for consultation and evaluation. Contact Director of Student Health and Wellness Services Joellen Gillon if you have questions. Upon return to school, teachers and advisors will work with students who need to complete missed work and assignments.

We are looking forward to celebrating the Class of 2023 this May! Commencement and Senior Week activities are outlined on this page.

The Commencement ceremony itself is on Sunday, May 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This year’s celebration will take place on campus. Please join us in congratulating the Class of 2023! 🎉⭐️🎓

The student-led listening session, held in Walton Auditorium last week, was a profound moment for our community, where students exhibited courage and sensitivity in sharing their thoughts and concerns about their George School experience.

As a follow-up to the student listening session, faculty and staff will be meeting to process together what students shared and to discern how to move forward in ways that will strengthen our community.

We invite all parents/guardians to attend a listening session for parents, which will be held on Wednesday, April 12 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. We encourage all parents/guardians who are able to attend in person to do so; for those too far from campus or unable to attend in person, there will be an option to attend virtually. More details will be shared here as the date approaches.

Information for boarding students and their families regarding Spring Break

• The break begins at 12:00 noon on Thursday, March 16; Boarders return on Monday, March 27.
• Classes resume on Tuesday, March 28.
• School shuttles are available to Trenton Train Station, PHL Airport, EWR Airport, and JFK Airport. If you wish to ride a school shuttle, select “GS Shuttle” as your transportation type and provide your flight info (airline and flight number).
• All students must stay with an adult host during break; no student is permitted to stay in a hotel/Airbnb without an adult host. If you need help finding a host, please speak with the Deans Office.
• Any additional days of school missed preceding or following Spring Break will be considered unexcused absences. The only exception to this is international students traveling internationally (see next bullet point).
• International students traveling internationally may leave a day early or a day late and may return a day early or a day late. This only applies to international students traveling internationally.

Wednesday, March 15: Guest Chef Shavit Moshe will feature authentic Israeli Cuisine.

  Thursday, March 16: Pizza day

Friday, March 17: Faculty/staff lunch on Red Square (weather permitting)

🥑 Tuesday, March 28: Teaching Kitchen — Learn how to make traditional guacamole in the Dining Hall at 4:00 p.m.

Friday, March 31: Dinner and a movie night featuring We Feed People with a menu of authentic Spanish cuisine.

Spring Break Hours:

Thursday, March 16
Hot Breakfast: 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
No Dinner

Friday, March 17
Continental Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
No Dinner

The Dining Hall will be closed from Saturday, March 18 through Monday, March 27 lunchtime, reopening for dinner on March 27 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

The senior class will be participating in the Career Expo from May 3-5, and we are looking for volunteers to come speak with our students about their jobs and career areas.

The Career Expo is a chance for seniors to meet alums, parents/guardians, and retirees who want to share their career experience.

If you are interested, please fill out this form and someone will reach out to you soon!

The 4-Year Senior Photo will be taken on Wednesday, March 29 at 9:55 a.m. for seniors who have been at GS all 4 years. This yearbook tradition will be captured on the “Stairs To Nowhere” on campus.

Cori Seraydarian ’91
Dorm Parent, Yearbook Sponsor

Parents/Guardians: Please join the Parent and Guardian Association (PGA) for its final meeting of the school year on Monday, April 17 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the MDA Library Conference Room. Those unable to attend in person may join virtually via Zoom. The meeting link is on the Parent Portal.

Friends,

Congratulations to Argo’s editors for putting together a beautiful book!

Congratulations to all the talented students whose work comprises the book!

You may have noticed the winter edition of Argo in Bancroft, Main, and MDA. If not, they’re there for the taking.

We’ll be celebrating the launch of this edition in Bancroft’s Reading Room on Monday, March 13 during lunch (11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Pizza will be provided for readers and guests.

Come out and support:

• Sawyer Berness
• Bella Doyle
• Elsie Felix
• Avery Frank
• Matilde Gaudio
• Finn Nicolois (editor)
• Kyle Okraku
• Rhianna Searle (editor)
• Shay Singer
• Camellia Zheng

We may also have Lois L’Oiseau and Emilie Mathew reading with us. Encourage them to turn their maybes into a yes.

The order of readers will be sent Monday morning along with a reminder.

Looking forward!

Zahra Patterson (she/they)
English & History Faculty
Faculty Sponsor of Argo, the literary magazine, and the African Student Association

Financial Aid 101 Webinar. On Wednesday, March 15, 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom, College Counseling will host Financial Aid 101 + Case Studies. We will share an introduction to financial aid terms and policies, address frequently asked questions, and review common financial aid myths. Using what you learned, participants will then review three sample financial aid packages to determine which is the most affordable. Please register here by Monday, March 13 at noon. The cases we will examine will be emailed to you by Tuesday, March 14.

Throughout the spring, College Counseling will bring you programs on a wide range of topics related to college admission, and there’s more to come! Save the Dates:

• Tuesday, April 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m. –  The Testing Landscape with Compass Education Group (Zoom)
• Thursday,  April 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Unbranded College Fair at George School (in-person in the FAC!)
• Wednesday, May 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Visual and Performing Arts Panel (Zoom)
• Wednesday, May 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – College Athletics and the Recruitment Process, in partnership with the GS Athletic Department (Zoom)
• Wednesday, May 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Celebrating HBCUs Student Panel (Zoom)

College Visits. As Accepted Student Days and other college events approach, seniors must submit a “College Visit Absence Request” via REACH at least two school days prior to the absence. This policy is noted on page 39 of the Community Handbook.

Requests for Scholarship Documents: Students needing documents sent to a scholarship organization must complete the Scholarship Documents Request Form. Requests must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the scholarship deadline to ensure a timely turnaround.

On Wednesday, March 15, 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom, College Counseling will host Financial Aid 101 + Case Studies. We will share an introduction to financial aid terms and policies, address frequently asked questions, and review common financial aid myths. Using what you learned, participants will then review three sample financial aid packages to determine which is the most affordable. Please register here by Monday, March 13 at noon. The cases we will examine will be emailed to you by Tuesday, March 14.

Get ready for the 2023-24 school year! Bookmark www.georgeschool.org/backtoschool, your planning hub for the 2023-24 school year, to refer to as you plan for the coming year.

Questions? Visit our Parent/Guardian FAQ page for more information about life at GS.

Enrollment Process: George School Admission Team, 215.579.6547
Financial Aid: Mike Murray, Director of Financial Aid, 215.579.6550
Billing, Payments, or Insurance: Rose Rosenberg, Accounts Receivable Specialist, 215.579.6510
Registration: Registration Team
Transportation and Residential Life: Deans’ Office, 215.579.6589
Health and Wellness: Student Health and Wellness Center, 215.579.6715
General Questions: George School Admission Team, 215.579.6547

Parents of accepted students are invited to join current George School parents on Zoom to ask questions and build community on Monday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. ET. We look forward to connecting with you!

Join here!

Meeting ID: 897 1645 6866
Passcode: 435532

Join current George School students for a Q & A about life at GS on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Join here!

Meeting ID: 834 9506 7774
Passcode: 220723

George School is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community. Join Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Rachel Williams, Head of the Religions Department Tom Hoopes ’83, and current George School students for a conversation about how DEIJ and Quakerism are woven into community life at GS on Tuesday, March 28 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Join here!

Meeting ID: 849 3536 3308
Passcode: 483115

Athletics PGA Committee members act as boosters for George School sports through communications and are in on-site presence for athletic events including the annual Cross-Country Invitational Meet in September, Spirit Week and Homecoming in October, and other athletic events throughout the year. The next virtual meeting is Monday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. Contact Ginny Waller if you’re interested in attending.

Winter Formal

When: Saturday, March 11 from 8:00-10:45 p.m.
Where: Fitness and Athletic Center
Attire: Semi-formal or formal attire (i.e., suits, ties, khakis, jackets, dresses, skirts, kilts, pants)

Photo booth, pizza, Philly pretzels, and lots of fun to be had! We hope to see you there!

If you are bringing a non-GS guest, you must complete a guest form. Even if you completed one for the original dance, you must complete a new one this week. Forms are due to the Deans’ Office by Thursday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m.

Day students may stay overnight if they are invited by a boarding student. Day students staying overnight on Saturday are required to attend Sunday morning meeting for worship. They may not be picked up until the conclusion of meeting at 11:45 a.m.

Work at George School Day Camp (GSDC) this summer! Play outside on our beautiful campus all while helping campers make core memories! We are looking for counselors and activity leaders in sports, dance/drama, nature and adventure. Camp is in session June 20 – Aug 11. Great pay, lunch included, and no nights or weekends!

Contact Mike Bailey or Coleen Ruch for more information or visit the GSDC website to learn more and to apply.

📖 Attention parents/guardians: There are three more opportunities to join a book club discussion this year! If you are interested in participating in any of the conversations about the below books, please email Erica Crenshaw.

• Wednesday, March 14, 7:00 p.m.: The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah
• Tuesday, April 11: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling
• Tuesday, May 9: Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow

Picture Day is on Wednesday, March 29 and Friday, March 31.

9th, 10th, and 11th grades are scheduled for Wednesday, March 29. Pay your deposit and learn more here.

Senior portraits are scheduled for Friday, March 31. Pay your deposit and learn more here.

Course Selection for 2023-24 has begun! Returning students are working with their advisors to choose courses for next year, and to communicate changes to their 4-year course plans to the School Office. The deadline for submitting selections is Friday, March 10.

2022–2023 GRADES AND COMMENTS SCHEDULE

Both grades* and comments are released midway through each term. End of term grades include comments as indicated below. All grades are released to the portal at 5:00 p.m. on the date indicated.

*Please note that grades are always course-to-date grade, incorporating work in previous mods as well as the current mod. For example, the midterm grade given during the second mod of a course will be based on work done in the first mod and the first three weeks of the second mod. Ultimately, a student’s transcript will show only the cumulative grade given at the end of each course’s final mod.

Term 5:

• Midterm grades and comments: 03/05/23
• End-of-term grades: 03/21/23

Term 6:

• Midterm grades and comments: 04/16/23
• End-of-term grades: 05/02/23

Term 7:

• Midterm grades and comments: 05/21/23
• End-of-term grades: 06/08/23; includes advisor comments

Dear George School Students,

Do you remember the moment you said “yes” to GS?! For so many, attending the Celebration for Accepted Students (CAS) IS that moment. Every year, the Admission Office works to create an exciting, special, fun-filled experience for our newly accepted students… and we need YOUR help to make the 2023 CAS our best event yet!

This year, there will be two CAS days: March 30 and April 4.

Families will come to campus and attend programming throughout the morning and afternoon to get a sense of what George School is all about. We will need high-energy, dynamic, positive student volunteers to help families navigate campus; answer questions about life at GS; run icebreakers and other games; and so much more. If you are interested in being a Student Volunteer, please fill out this form at your earliest convenience.

Thank you!
The Admission Team

Attention Parents/Guardians: The Admission Team is looking for parent volunteers to help out with Celebration for Accepted Students (CAS) on March 30 and April 4.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact Admission Visit and Outreach Coordinator Deb Soufleris at dsoufleris@georgeschool.org.

Day Student Attendance Policy. If your child is ill, has a doctor’s appointment (doctor’s note required), late to class, or will miss a class or classes for any reason, parents/guardians must email Attendance Supervisor Laurie Moyer, or call 215.579.6593 , to notify her of the excused absence the day before or by 9:00 a.m. the morning of the absence. Your child must also check-in and out with Laurie in the Deans’ Office if they arrive late or leave early for the academic day.

Boarding Student Doctor Appointment Policy. Parents/guardians should let the Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) know 24 hours in advance if their boarding student is leaving campus for a medical appointment with them. Students are required to sign out and back in through the SHWC. If the student has an off-campus appointment that requires the use of GS transportation, parents/guardians must give the SHWC 48 hours notice to secure transport. Contact Administrator of the SHWC Indira Rodrigo with questions.