Moorestown Friends School opened for its 229th year on Thursday, Sept. 4 with record enrollment: 730 students in preschool through grade 12. The breakdown by division is as follows: Upper School (grades 9–12): 306; Middle School (grades 5–8): 193; and Lower School (Preschool — 4): 231.
Enrollment gains have been especially robust in the school’s Beginnings at MFS early childhood program and in the Upper School. Strong year-to-year student retention, at over 95 percent, has also been an important factor. The national average retention rate for independent day schools is 88 to 92 percent.
“It is very exciting to more than meet our enrollment goal,” said Head of School Larry Van Meter. “This is a testament to our teachers, who challenge our students academically and work equally hard to help them develop their moral and ethical foundation.”
The school recently appointed a new Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Rachel Tilney. She replaced Karin Miller, a Moorestown resident who retired after 19 years of successfully and thoughtfully directing admissions at MFS.
“I look forward to meeting many Moorestown Friends School families this year, as well as many prospective students and families considering MFS,” said Tilney. The MFS Admissions Office will host Open House events on Sunday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 8.
Tilney arrives from Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, PA where she was Director of Admission and Enrollment. Prior to her work at Episcopal, she served in similar roles at Pomfret School in Connecticut and Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. She also served for nine years as Associate Director of Admissions at Westtown School. She has served as a trustee of Sea Education Association (SEA) in Woods Hole, MA and has done volunteer work in Ghana. Tilney holds a B.A. from Colby College and an M.A. from Northwestern University.
