The Evolution of Friends Select’s After School Program

For decades, the Friends Select After School Program (ASP) has created an engaging, extracurricular environment for students in lower and middle school while providing peace of mind for their families.

Once the school day ends, students transition to spend their afternoon in self-selected activities, or “options,” led by ASP teachers. Choices include structured clubs, recurring lessons, athletics, performing and visual arts, independent activities, and assistance with school work. 

Led by Friends Select director of continuing programs Joe Hardy P’36 and associate ASP director and development assistant Oriah Lopez, ASP is witnessing record enrollment this year with approximately 200 students attending each day. “I like to think that ASP’s growth has something to do with how special our programming and teachers are,” Joe said. “I also think it has something to do with the post-pandemic environment, and that parents might be working at home and in need of care for their children after school, before their work day ends.” 

To accommodate the varying interests and ages of the 
large body of students in ASP, Joe and Oriah have expanded the programming to feature new options, with many stemming from partnerships with local organizations. These additions reflect both their willingness to invite feedback from families as well as their enthusiasm for identifying new interests within their ASP community. For example, when a contemporary ballet class was not well attended, Joe and Oriah relied on input from students and pivoted to a hip hop dance class. “Having the freedom to make adjustments to our programs offers us a lot of bandwidth,” Joe said. 

Last year, the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia—known for training world champion fencers, including FSS alumna Maia Weintraub ’21—implemented a fencing program at Friends Select hosted by ASP, through which students learn basic footwork, armwork, strategies, and tactics over the course of eight weeks. After the beginner level is complete, classes expand to include intermediate and novice levels. Other ASP athletic options include Friends Select aquatics, as well as partner-provided programs such as Girls on the Run and Soccer Shots.

Through their new nine week music lesson program, ASP is providing instrumental instruction in piano, guitar, violin, cello, and trumpet. Lessons are offered throughout the school year for those at beginner to advanced levels, and currently, over 100 students are enrolled. For students interested in the performing arts, ASP also stages their own drama production and talent show, both of which are led by ASP coordinator and FSS alumna Mya Flood ’14.

“The quality and content of what ASP offers matches that of the school day curriculum, and continues an emphasis on students’ independence by allowing each student to be free to figure out what they enjoy,” said Shermika Gant P’33, whose daughter Sage attends both the new ASP hip hop dance and piano classes. “What satisfies our family most regarding what ASP has to provide for Sage is a safe, loving community that helps us as parents. We know our daughter is in great care.” 

At a recent open house, a prospective family explained to Oriah that Friends Select is the first choice for their child in large part because of the After School Program. “They appreciated that our students are encouraged to try new opportunities without feeling a heavy commitment,” Oriah said. “We truly want to appeal to all students and meet each one of them where they are. It’s evident that, for our ASP students, the program is an important part of their Friends Select experience.”