Buckingham Friends School is marking its 230th anniversary this June amid a period of growth and investment in its campus and faculty.
The Quaker-affiliated K-8 institution in Buckingham Township has undertaken its first capital campaign in over two decades, resulting in substantial improvements to its 44-acre campus.
Among the most notable additions is a new gymnasium, a long-held goal that not only provides space for student athletic development but also offers revenue-generating opportunities for the school. A Community Connector building now links the gymnasium to academic areas, featuring a new kitchen and elevator for improved accessibility, according to school officials.
The school also has a new Science Building designed with sustainable energy practices in mind for eco-friendly operations.
The main academic building has undergone extensive renovations that have reconfigured and enlarged classrooms along with two new learning commons to support contemporary educational methods.
Outdoor spaces at the campus have also seen improvements, with two new playground structures designed with student input and a new pick-up/drop-off canopy to streamline daily transitions.
Looking ahead, the school is currently transforming its Arts Building to include larger studios for art, woodshop, music and theater.
Head of School Paul Lindenmaier pointed to the importance of arts education.
“A thriving arts program is essential to achieving the school’s mission,” Lindenmaier said. “It fosters creativity and the expressive abilities of every student, enhancing our balanced preparatory program. We believe the arts are especially relevant to our vision for a balanced and dynamic preparatory program, today more than ever.”
The campus improvements have been funded through the capital campaign, which is separate from operating funds.
The capital campaign has allowed the Buckingham Friends School Board to focus on increases in teacher salaries, which have risen by nearly 50 percent in the last six years, and financial aid for eligible students.
Lindenmaier highlighted the school’s high faculty retention rates, with all current teachers returning for the 2025-2026 academic year.
“We are excited that 100% of the teachers will return for the 2025-2026 school year!” Lindenmaier said. “With relatively low turnover each year, this retention rate speaks volumes about the faculty culture and spirit and their feelings about working at Buckingham Friends School.”
In May, the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools reaffirmed the school’s full accreditation following a review.
The association’s report commended the school’s advancements in curriculum, balanced budgets, growing faculty salaries and campus enhancements.
Limited openings are available for the 2025-2026 school year. Prospective families interested in touring the new facilities and learning more about the school’s programs can contact Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Melissa Clayton at 215-794-7491 or mclayton@bfs.org.
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