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Academics

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A Holistic Learning Experience 

At Penn Charter, we urge students to engage in the challenges of their education with pride in their intellect, persistence, commitment and a sense of wonder.

Fully Integrated Curriculum

Penn Charter offers a carefully designed program of study that develops students’ mind, body, heart and spirit.

Community Engagement

Service is built into the Penn Charter curriculum, allowing students to learn by partnering with the community.

Portrait of a Penn Charter Learner

The Portrait of a Penn Charter Learner articulates the skills, attitudes and competencies Penn Charter seeks to nurture across all divisions and grade levels.

 

Quaker Education

At Penn Charter, Quaker values shape how students learn, treat one another and grow as people. Grounded in the belief that there is “that of God” in everyone, the school emphasizes the Quaker testimonies of community, equality, integrity, peace, service, simplicity, social justice and stewardship. Students learn to seek truth through inquiry, support one another and engage in meaningful service, developing empathy and a sense of responsibility to both their school community and the wider world.

Academic Divisions

Lower School

PK–5

Our project-based curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary, hands-on learning, teaching students to ask questions, think critically, communicate clearly and connect ideas.

Middle School

6–8

Guided by teachers who specialize in ages 11–14, students build confidence and organizational and study skills, while exploring meaningful, cross-cultural projects and learning to both think independently and work together.

Upper School

9–12

Our vigorous college preparatory program, grounded in the art and sciences, challenges students to step outside their comfort zones, explore environmental issues and develop global awareness and a commitment to community.

Penn Charter prepares students for their next step—first college and then the workforce—by giving them the agency to take ownership of their own journey.Natalie Valentine 
OPC Parent

 

Learning by Doing

picture of graduate at 12th grade commencement
Congratulations to the Penn Charter Class of 2026!

Congratulations to the Penn Charter Class of 2026! The celebration commenced in the Graham Athletics & Wellness Center, as our graduating seniors, surrounded by family, friends, faculty and staff, celebrated their Penn Charter journey.

Paul Hough OPC '77, clerk of the Board of Trustees, led a scripture reading followed by silent worship in the manner of Friends. Student speakers followed, including Rainer Malhotra and Mireille Ohemeng.

Jack Kraemer, senior class clerk, presented the Senior Gift. Head of School Karen Warren Coleman presented the Phi Beta Kappa Award to Jack Kraemer and Rainer Malhotra (given to the student outstanding in scholarship in the graduating class), and Alumni Society President Edward Morris III OPC '94 presented the PC Alumni Society Senior Award to Rainer Malhotra (given to a senior who on qualification of scholarship, character, leadership and athletic ability exemplifies the best PC type).

After the presentation of diplomas, the ceremony ended with Quakers Dozen performing "In My Life" by Lennon and McCartney, followed by the Penn Charter alma mater performed by the Quakers Dozen and Penn Charter Commencement Band.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! We are so proud of you!

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View Recording (starts at 35:11)

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Two girls in light colored dresses play the ukelele in front of a group of their classmates
2026 Fifth Grade Moving-Up Ceremony

Students, families, friends, faculty and staff gathered in the Kurtz Center of the Performing Arts to celebrate fifth grade students at their Moving-Up Ceremony on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

The event began with the Handbell Choir performing "Festival Fanfare," directed by music teacher Jaysen Rosario. Head of School Karen Warren Coleman greeted the audience, followed by remarks from Director of Lower School Thu-Nga Morris.

Fifth grade students, including Anna Barsanti, Madeleine Cohen, Cora Sangobowale, Saya Shah, Aryana Adappa, Thomas Jackson V, Malcolm Sullivan, Leo Serventi, Leia Gannone, Emery Distel-Wherley and Zena Kapust St. Fort, offered inspirational words for their classmates and shared reflections on their experiences in Lower School.

Emma Milner, Maeve Cunningham, Henry Grinwis and Ava Mondrosch introduced the video presentation of the fifth grade, which featured photographs of the students through the years.

Thu-Nga Morris awarded each fifth grader a certificate, and Director of Middle School Kathleen Clinchy welcomed them to the Middle School. 

The Penn Pals sang "Blessing," followed by the entire fifth grade performing the Penn Charter Alma Mater, and finally "As We Leave This Friendly Place," a long-standing Lower School tradition.

Congratulations to the Class of 2033! 

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Video Recording

 

 

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eighth grader at graduation receiving an award
2026 Eighth Grade Moving-Up Ceremony

On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the eighth grade class concluded their middle school journey with a beautiful moving-up ceremony.

The Graham Athletics & Wellness Center was filled with family, friends, faculty, staff and fellow middle school students to celebrate the eighth graders who will be moving on to Upper School this fall. Eighth graders Graham Sala and Nabil Mustapha welcomed their classmates and introduced Head of School Karen Warren Coleman, who addressed the audience and shared reflections on the past school year. Inés Sheer and Sophia Balin remarked on their eighth grade experiences and initiated a call to gathering as the ceremony held a short Meeting for Worship.

The program featured speeches from six students: Paul Mazur, sixth grade; Nicky Howe, seventh grade; and Emerson Walsh, Mallory Michener, Simone Borish and Andie Shaginaw, eighth grade. Eighth graders Leela Vedanthan and Bianca Jones gave the teacher acknowledgment speech. Eighth Grade Choir performed "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" by Billy Joel, accompanied and directed by Choral Director Tony Yoo. Special awards and presentations for the graduates followed.

Director of Middle School Kathleen Clinchy led the Moving-Up ceremony and Director of Upper School Kim Berndt welcomed the eighth graders to Upper School.


Award Winners

Hal Commons Memorial Award
Presented by Kathleen Clinchy, this award is given to a Middle School student who best exemplifies the qualities of caring, sharing and responsibility.

  • Rex Bremner, Lena Polite

Richard Mott Jones Memorial Award
Presented by Kerry Howard, assistant director of the Middle School, this award is given to an outstanding member of the eighth grade class who excels in academics, athletics, the fine and performing arts, and contributes positively to the social environment in our Middle School.

  • Delilah Halcomb

Antonios S. Thomas Memorial Award
Presented by Karen Warren Coleman, this award is given to a Middle School student who best embodies the spirit, energy and enthusiasm of Middle School and has earned the respect of students and teachers alike. The recipient's presence in Middle School has made our community better.

  • Juliette Torrisi

Congratulations to the Class of 2030!

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View Recording (starts at 31:38)

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Celebrating Students at the Upper School Prize Assembly
Celebrating Students at the Upper School Prize Assembly

On May 22, Upper School students at Penn Charter were honored with various year-end awards during the annual Upper School Prize Assembly.

Faculty, staff, classmates, and family gathered to celebrate their achievements. Additionally, 37 students received recognition for completing Penn Charter certificate programs in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice, Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, and Global Culture and Language. The ceremony concluded with the naming of this year's Commencement speakers, Rainer Malhotra and Mimi Ohemeng, and the formal dedication of the 2026 Class Record (yearbook) to teachers Charlie Brown and Susan Ahrenholdt.

a group of students in formal dress holding paper bags containing awards

See more photos.

View the range of awards and the recipients below. Congratulations to all!

CHERYL IRVING DIVERSITY AWARD
Given to a member of the senior class who has made significant contributions to the work of equity and justice and has participated and led in the organization of discussions, workshops and activities to further making Penn Charter an inclusive environment. 

  • Eva Kothari

LEHR FAMILY PUBLIC PURPOSE AWARD
To the student(s) who most closely fulfilled the ideals of public purpose to the community through active participation in the Center for Public Purpose addressing the most pressing social issues in the Greater Philadelphia area.

  • Morelia Perez
  • Jaden Black

JACOB SNIPES TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Awarded in memory of Jacob Snipes OPC '14, recognizing the student or group of students showing passion for technological exploration and making the best use of technology to complete a major academic assignment.

  • Sienna Loffer

D.J. WILLIAMS AWARD

To a student who has made a significant contribution to journalism at Penn Charter in memory of D.J. Williams, OPC’77.

  • Alice Allsopp
  • Penelope Gray

W. RAYMOND EVANS JR. MEMORIAL PRIZES IN MATHEMATICS

  • Caroline Stephan (9)
  • Kieran Prasad (9)
  • Joe Curci (10)
  • Ava Gottschalk (10)
  • Marcus Anderson (11)
  • Parker Grimes (11)
  • Lily Neuwirth (12)
  • Jak Kraemer (12)

MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
To a member of the junior class who has demonstrated the highest level of motivation, commitment and achievement in science and math classes.

  • Layla Joshi

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY AWARD
For excellence in chemistry.

  • Maddie Jones

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICS TEACHERS’ AWARD
To the outstanding student in the first year physics course.

  • Marleigh Jackson

THE ROBERT D. TORREY AWARD
Honors an Upper School student who has shown dedication and achievement during his or her years in the science program.

  • Rainer Malhotra

THE ROBERT F. CHAPMAN OPC ’36 FUND FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PRIZE 
To a member of the junior class whose talents in the sciences and passion for nature recall Robert F. Chapman’s lifelong application of scientific understanding to environmental issues.

  •  Jacqueline Plastaras

J.P. HARLAND PRIZE
To a member of the junior class or senior class who has been the best student in Latin during their years at Penn Charter.

  • Rainer Malhotra

SPANISH PRIZE
To a student(s) that has clearly demonstrated a true commitment to understanding the culture of Spanish speakers, as well as mastering the Spanish language.

  • Morelia Pérez

CHINESE PRIZE
To the student who has most clearly demonstrated a commitment to mastering the Chinese language, understanding the culture and using what they learn to communicate with others.

  • Ava Lin
  • Alice Ingram

S. WEIR LEWIS 3rd MEMORIAL PRIZE
To an outstanding member or members of the Junior Class, in English and French, as a tribute to Clifton Lisle and to Oliver P. Hodge who were his teachers in these subjects.

  • (English) Grace Choate
  • (French) Nora Steinbrook

RELIGIOUS STUDIES and PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT AWARD
This award is given to a member of the student body who has shown significant scholarly interest and pursuit in the field of religious studies and philosophy in their time at Penn Charter.

  • Penelope Gray

HISTORY PRIZE
To the senior who has demonstrated general excellence throughout the U.S. History course during their Junior year.

  • Alice Allsopp

LAWRENCE W. KUNKLE AWARD
To a senior who best exemplifies the qualities of creative ability, diligence and service that Lawrence Kunkle exhibited as a teacher at Penn Charter.

  • Ellie Kafer

LOUIS SAVINO CHORAL AWARD
Given to an Upper School student who has distinguished him/herself through an extraordinary commitment to Penn Charter’s choral musical program.

  • Aubrey Hoffman

MUSIC AWARD
To a member of the Upper School who has made an outstanding contribution to the music program through both talent and leadership.

  • Calder Huỳnh (Choral) 
  • Ava Lin (Band)

LOUIS ARMSTRONG JAZZ AWARD
Given to a student in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of jazz, as demonstrated through superior musicianship character, and individual creativity. 

  • Avi Mondgock

JOHN PHILIP SOUSA BAND AWARD 
Given to a student in recognition of outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music, for singular merit in loyalty and cooperation, and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school instrumental music requires.

  • Nora Prasad

ROBERT PICARDO OPC ’71 DRAMA PRIZE
Awarded to an Upper School student who has made an outstanding contribution to the dramatic arts at Penn Charter.

  • Calder Huỳnh

PETER KISHINCHAND MEMORIAL PRIZE
Awarded in memory of Peter Kishinchand OPC '91, to a student who has made a major contribution to the arts programs at Penn Charter through dedication to the technical aspects of artistic productions.

  • Scarlett Murray

WILLIAM C. SHIELDS 3rd MEMORIAL PRIZE
To a student who has completed ninth grade with an outstanding record in character, scholarship and sportsmanship.

  • Audrey Young
  • Katie Wakefield

THE ROBERT C. PORTER BOWDOIN PRIZE
To a member of the sophomore class who has demonstrated leadership in academics and who has made a significant contribution to school life.

  • Eila Spaman
  • Keagan Seth

HENRY A. DRESSER MEMORIAL PRIZE
To an outstanding member of the 10th grade.

  • Luke Serventi

CLASS OF 1897 PRIZE
To a member of the junior class who has combined high scholarship with character and leadership in school activities.

  • Caroline Tullo
  • Xander Bowen

THE COLBY COLLEGE BOOK PRIZE IN HONOR OF ANDREW PEFF OPC ’07
To a member of the junior class who has shown outstanding academic achievement and has made substantial contributions to the school and local community.

  • Matthew Dunn

RICHARD S. CROSS JEFFERSON SCHOLAR AWARD
To an outstanding junior class student in academics and extracurricular activities given by the University of Virginia Club. 

  • Jonah Flaisher

WILLIAMS COLLEGE AWARD
To a member of the junior class who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and has made a significant contribution to the extracurricular life of the school. 

  • AJ Bouie

HARVARD CLUB AWARD
To that member of the junior class who is deemed the most worthy by reason of his/her scholarship, character, school spirit, influence upon his/her fellows, and general ability.

  • Bailey Handler

CLASS OF 1980 AWARD
To a senior who does the most to promote unity within the class.

  • Harbor Campbell

JONATHAN HOLMAN SMULLENS AWARD
Awarded in memory of Jonathan Smullens, Class of '79, to a senior who has made particularly significant progress during their senior year.

  • Scarlett Murray

SERVICE AWARD
To any member of the student body who has given continuous service to Penn Charter over a period of years.

  • Ellie Kafer
  • Zsuzsi Pollock

KENNETH A. GERBER AWARD for OUTSTANDING INTELLECTUAL ACHIEVEMENT  – To the student who achieves the type of broad based intellectual accomplishment that characterized Ken Gerber, OPC ’85.

  • Rainer Malhotra

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE CERTIFICATES

  • Jaden Black
  • Anya Bourne
  • Evy Hasse
  • Audrey Kemner
  • Eva Kothari
  • Ashley Leiva 
  • Caroline Marg
  • Morelia Perez
  • Michaela Poland
  • Zsuzsi Pollock
  • Olivia Thomas
  • Avery Williams

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATES

  • Hannah Aldinger
  • Emily Bierwirth
  • Liliana DeMartinis
  • Matthew Furda
  • Dylan Fuscia
  • Avery Goodheart
  • Calder Huynh
  • Marleigh Jackson
  • Elise Krakowsky
  • Carly Lewinski
  • Lily Neuwirth

GLOBAL CULTURE AND LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES

  • Alice Allsop
  • Peyton Burnett
  • Penelope Gray
  • Liam Haines
  • Nate Keller
  • Jak Kraemer
  • Ava Lin
  • Rainer Malhotra
  • Andrew Marrone
  • Natalia Modzelewski
  • Mimi Ohemeng
  • Jordan Simon
  • Elizabeth Sweigart
  • Willem van Beelen
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A group of young people in costumes
Driven by Design: 8th Graders Compete in Physics 500

During the month of May each year, eighth grade science students immerse themselves in their annual physics project, the Physics 500, where they brainstorm, design, construct and race a cardboard car.

Using their understanding of forces, energy, torque, simple machines and more, they work in groups of four to brainstorm ideas, draw preliminary designs in their “race journals,” decide on a team name, logo, and slogan, and engineer their cardboard car. In the classroom, they study simple machines. As the project rolls on, students are assigned a “pit” space in the IdeaLab to construct their cars. After receiving their first distribution of cardboard, they move on to making measurements, hypotheses and detailed sketches. Teams build cars using cardboard, glue, and PVC pipes that carry a 25-pound weight with a mannequin driver.

two boys hold on to a red box car on a ramp

The cars then compete in a gravity-powered distance race where teams face off in elimination rounds until the ultimate winner gets crowned. The goal is to see how far the cars can travel rather than how fast they can go. This year several Upper School students kicked off the event by racing two electric cars they had built from the ground up under the guidance of physics teacher Tim Clarke.

Congratulations to “Space Jam” on winning this year’s Physics 500!

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upper school students at a leadership program
MIT AI Student Leaders Program

Mentoring Students in the Development of AI Guidance for PC

During the first semester of the 2025-26 school year, Faith Ward, director of libraries, mentored a group of 24 students across the Upper School who engaged in a student leadership program developed by Daniella DiPaola, a PhD candidate at the MIT Media Lab. Daniella studies human-AI interaction, develops curricula on the responsible creation and use of AI, and informs educational policy on AI in schools. Daniella’s program, Student Voices in AI, was designed to empower students to lead conversations about how AI should be used in their schools. Upon joining the MIT AI Student Leaders program, senior Elise Krakowsky noted that Penn engineering had also initiated a similar program, employing student voice and agency to co-create AI policy.

Over the 12-week program, Penn Charter students built confidence in navigating AI in their school lives, engaged their community to understand varied perspectives and worked to produce proposed school guidelines for AI. Each weekly session began with a roundtable, sharing what we learned about AI that week. This icebreaker activity became a dependable forum for some of the most varied and compelling learning we shared. Students often noted how their parents and caregivers utilized AI in their professions and that resulted in an examination of both the drawbacks and benefits of the technology. Through a mix of additional projects, activities such as surveying the Upper School student body, Zoom meetings with professionals working in AI such as Sohan Choudury from FlintK-12, and thoughtful interviews with faculty and staff, the program fostered community dialogue and helped PC students develop a values-aligned approach to using AI.

upper school students at a leadership program


A meaningful outcome of this work for the students was the ability to present and share what they learned at several different forums. Eila Spaman and Kaiden Sheth joined a Department Chairs Group meeting in March to share the group’s drafted policy guidelines for the schoolhouse as well as offer some suggestions for teaching and learning opportunities for faculty. Several students also participated in Civic Learning Week National Forum, which is hosted annually by iCivics and seeks to highlight the importance of civic education in sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States. The forum included a full day of student programming where PC students met Daniella DiPaola, spoke with civics teachers attending the conference and shared their learning from the program. Finally, a group of participants also attended the AI Across Friends Schools student session, joining peers from Abington Friends, George School and Friends' Central to share their insights about AI, how it can be used in the classroom, and where the technology interrupts and impacts learning.

The MIT AI Student Leaders program was piloted in 2025-26 across 18 public and private schools, and, based on its success, the researchers aim to make the curriculum resources available as open-source materials for teachers and students. The structured program provided the students with a pathway for exploring how AI is perceived and used by the PC learning community, and to emphasize the importance of learning, engagement and leadership to develop a meaningful policy rooted in our core values. Ward noted how it was a privilege to mentor the talented students, share their experiences of exploration and inquiry and see their evolving understanding of how this technology is shaping their educational journey. 

Special thanks to Sam Herron for their work supporting the program and co-mentoring students!  

—by Faith Ward, director of libraries

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Friends Multicultural Day 2026
Friends Multicultural Day 2026

On Friends Multicultural Day, Upper School students get to share their passions with their fellow students, creating presentations on topics of their choice. Slam poetry champion Andre Bradford kicked off the day as the keynote speaker, performing several of his poems themed on "purposeful empathy."

This year featured 34 incredible student-led presentations on topics such as:
 

"K-pop 101, featuring Stray Kids"
"AI and Learning: Risks, Realities, and Choices"
"Reproductive Justice: Consent and Choice"
"Theatre for Social Change"
"Spaces for Peace: The Power of Gardens"

And many more!

We're grateful to all the students, faculty and staff who made this possible.

For more photos of the day, check out our Flickr album. 
 

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Penn Charter Celebrates MLK Day
Penn Charter Celebrates MLK Day

"The time is always right to do what's right."

— Martin Luther King Jr.

The snowy, icy weather didn’t stop Penn Charter students, parents and teachers from gathering for the 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service to reflect on this year’s theme of integrity and justice and to engage in service projects in nearby communities.

The morning began with a convocation by the fifth grade and a keynote from Adrienne Caulk, founder of Brown Girls Farm, followed by student-led learning sessions exploring civic engagement, immigration, affordable housing and intergenerational relationships. Across campus, friends of all ages engaged in hands-on service, creating hygiene kits, upcycled bags and denim, blankets, cards, art, food packs and seedlings for community partners including Whosoever Gospel Mission, Sanctuary Farms, Tree House Books, Cradles to Crayons, Hosts for Hospitals, the Nationalities Service Center, LovingStone, Habitat for Humanity, Depaul House, St. Raymond’s House, St. Joseph’s House and local community fridges. Additional groups supported off-campus projects with Brown Girls Farm and environmental stewardship efforts in the Wissahickon. 

In addition, students reflected on the question: What are your dreams for the world? View the video with their inspiring answers: Our Dreams for the World

Service efforts will continue year-round as part of Penn Charter's enduring commitment to social justice work. 

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