Sasha Small ’20 spent 14 years at Shipley, where he was supported by teachers who challenged him to think deeply, write effectively, and tackle complex topics. He attended Bates College, where he double-majored in Politics and French and Francophone Studies, completing senior theses for both majors. Sasha now works as an Admissions Officer for Georgetown Medical School and is preparing to apply to law school.
Dr. Taylor, a Shipley alumna and distinguished scholar, has dedicated her career to African American literature, teaching, and leadership at HBCUs. Now Director of the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum, she leverages her experience to elevate the museum, stewarding its collection and sharing the richness of the African diaspora.
Morgan is the Director of Behavioral Health for a Philadelphia nonprofit and oversees multiple mental health programs and advocates to reduce stigma in minority communities. A former SURE president and Shipley alum, Morgan credits Shipley’s diverse opportunities for shaping her advocacy skills and encourages current students to embrace growth and new experiences.
In this Shipley Class of 2020 Young Alumni Spotlight, All School President Declan Buckley ’20 reflects on his path since Shipley, sharing insights from his studies at Harvard and his work in production finance at NBC Sports. He discusses the value of Shipley’s community, risk-taking, and embracing new challenges in shaping his journey after graduation.
The Gators had an awesome fall sports season, most notably The Girls Cross Country team claimed their first-ever FSL Championship and finished second in the PAISAA State Championships! Dagny Shiffler ’25 took first place winning an FSL gold and placed 5th at states
Jennifer Devlin, a former electrical engineer, is an Upper School STEAM teacher and Science Olympiad co-coach. She loves seeing students' "aha moments" and takes pride in helping them achieve beyond their expectations.
Discover how Shipley educators across all divisions inspire meaningful student engagement. From fostering vulnerability and building trust, to ensuring student voice and choice, hear from five teachers who share some of their strategies for creating a dynamic learning environment for every student.
In the first Young Alumni Q&A spotlight of the Shipley Class of 2020 series, Caroline Milgram ’20 reflects on her path from Shipley to her current role as an Underwriting Analyst in New York City. Joining Shipley in 9th grade, she embraced extracurriculars like Student Government and theatre, while developing perseverance and self-advocacy. Caroline credits Shipley’s supportive environment with helping her navigate challenges, including transferring universities, and preparing her for success at the University of Pennsylvania and beyond.
Read about the life and legacy of Nancy Lauber, Shipley’s Head of School from 1972 to 1979, who led the school through its transition to coeducation and made lasting contributions to academic innovation and campus expansion.
At Shipley, your experience goes far beyond the classroom. The Upper School offers a wide range of Clubs, Activities, Affinity Groups, and Organizations, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore your interests, connect with others, and grow both personally and academically.
Join us on Saturday, September 28 at Super Saturday, a favorite Shipley tradition. The day-long excitement includes a kids' carnival, a free community barbecue, athletic events, and much more. Gather the family, wear your Shipley gear, and celebrate being a Gator!
In his Commencement Address to the class of 2024, Prashant Bhuyan ’96 emphasized the importance of maintaining humanity in an increasingly AI-driven world. He advised the graduates to think critically, foster meaningful human connections, and use technology to create new paradigms that benefit humanity, thereby becoming leaders in the future.
The Upper School Honors Jazz Combo, directed by saxophonist Chris Oatts, is Shipley's premier music ensemble and reflects Shipley's dedication to excellence in the arts. The group continually impresses audiences and serves as a pinnacle experience in Shipley's musical learning community.
🇮🇹 Last month, 13 students and 2 teachers had the trip of a lifetime in Italy, exploring Paestum, Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Naples' Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and Rome's historical sites and museums, experiencing Italian culture, history, and art!
12 Shipley Spanish students had an unforgettable adventure in Spain, exploring Madrid, Zaragoza, and Barcelona, and immersing themselves in local culture and iconic landmarks. ¡Recuerdos para toda la vida! 🇪🇸
At Shipley, students are supported in pursuing their passions beyond the classroom, as showcased by eighth-grader Anne Martindale, whose imaginative costume designs for the Middle School’s production of Alice in Wonderland transformed the stage, blending artistic vision with the encouragement of dedicated teachers.
Shipley is pleased to welcome Steve Lisk as Interim Head of School for the 2024-2025 school year. Steve Lisk served as the 10th Head of School at Lancaster Country Day School from 2008 to 2022. His 14 years at LCDS made him the second-longest tenured head in the school’s 100-year history. Across 34 years in independent schools, he has served also as an executive coach, division head, department chair, dorm head, classroom teacher, advisor, and athletic coach.
Affinity groups at Shipley help to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, empowering students of diverse backgrounds to build authentic relationships, celebrate their identities, and grow into confident, compassionate global citizens. Learn more about our Lower School Affinity Spaces.
Discover how our theater program nurtures student voice, confidence, and leadership. From sixth grade silliness to Upper School self-awareness, our students learn to express themselves with empathy and creativity, embodying our mission of compassionate participation.
After 34 years of dedicated service to The Shipley School, Kay Weinstock is retiring as College Counseling Assistant. Her meticulous attention to detail and genuine kindness have shepherded thousands of Shipley students through the college admissions process.
The Upper School Administration recognized the outgoing and incoming student leadership officers and presented students with academic, athletic, and leadership awards at the annual Closing Awards Ceremony.
Shipley's Director of Libraries, Jennifer Phiambolis, collaborates with teachers to integrate library research into course projects, fostering students' critical thinking and information literacy skills. This approach empowers students to discern credible information and challenge online misinformation.
Debra Finger, Lower & Middle School Technology Coach
In Shipley's Lower School technology classes, digital citizenship is a key focus. Starting in first grade, students learn about online safety, responsible use, and creating a positive digital footprint, ensuring they grow as compassionate digital citizens.
A quiet powerhouse in Shipley’s Athletic Department, Katelyn manages the moving parts of anywhere from 12-15 teams per season. While that may seem chaotic—she sticks to her spreadsheets and checklists, plans for various scenarios, and thrives under pressure, all while presenting a calm demeanor.
Christine Greenwood held various roles at Shipley, spanning a tenure of 36 years, most notably as an art teacher and the advisor of The Beacon and the Yearbook. She will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year.
Shipley's beloved PreKindergarten teacher Tina Wattles will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, leaving a lasting mark on the community. Her energy and smile will be greatly missed by her students and colleagues alike. "For a generation, Tina has planted acorns that have grown into mighty oaks. Her work will reverberate for years and years to come,” said Head of School Michael Turner.
Discover how Shipley School's music program nurtures young musicians from Lower to Upper School, fostering confidence, creativity, and collaboration. Learn how students find their musical voice and achieve professional-level performance through this comprehensive education.
Anna Dejdar ’04 is set to embark on a new journey, leaving behind a legacy that spans over two decades. As she prepares to assume her new role as Head of Upper School at Stratford Academy in Macon, GA, in the 2024-2025 school year, we reflect on her invaluable contributions and the indelible mark she has left on our School.
Shipley's Middle and Upper School Science Olympiad Teams earned many medals at the Pennsylvania Southeast Region Science Olympiad Tournament on March 8 at Penn State Abington.
This year’s alumni exhibition features work from the Sky Paintingsseries by Shipley alum Peter Makela ’04 and will be on display in Speer Gallery from April 9 to May 5. Celebrate the fine arts at Shipley with an artist reception in Speer Gallery on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Alumni Artist Reception is part of Alumni Reunion Weekend and is open to family and friends of the Shipley community, we ask that you please register online or contact alumni@shipleyschool.org with any questions.
Explore the rich history of Shipley's Secret Gardens, a beloved tradition since 1975. This longstanding event offers exclusive tours of breathtaking private gardens, celebrating 50 years of community, horticulture, and support for the School in 2024.
The son of a North Philly cop and South Philly educator, Shipley alumnus Robert "BJ" Glenn III ’07 demonstrated prowess as an athlete and as a student. Knowing the importance of a good education, BJ's parents enrolled him in Kindergarten at Shipley where he soon made his mark in class, and later on Shipley’s playing fields in lacrosse, baseball, and other sports. But it was at daily recess at age 6 when he discovered a sport that perfectly blended his budding speed and agility with a strong leg: soccer.
Shipley Middle Schoolers Anderson Knipe ’28 and Lily Pressman ’28 presented their joint research on young stellar objects at the 243rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society held January 7-11 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Shipley’s annual Swamp Night was held on Friday, January 26! Everyone in the community came together to share a meal, participate in games and activities, and cheer on Shipley's basketball teams. Check out highlights from the evening!
Compassionate participation in the world is a foundational pillar of Shipley’s mission. They aren’t just words - Shipley students live by this statement through their everyday actions. Read more about our fourth graders' mission to help others.
“Shipley is really special because three kids can go to a teacher and say, ‘I think it would be cool to do this.’ And the teachers and administrators support them all the way through.” Learn more about the Middle School's culture of kindness and November's Kindness Month events.
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.