The Fourth Century Center - Abington Friends School in Jenkintown, PA

The Fourth Century Center

To shape the leaders of tomorrow, we strengthen and support the educators of today.

Now in its fourth century of operation, Abington Friends School has adapted and innovated to meet the ascendant needs and opportunities of each successive generation—and that is no less true today. We are witnessing a profound transformation in the way teaching and learning take place, led by revolutionary new research in cognitive development regarding our best practices, and a renewed commitment to a shared vision of equity, inclusion and dignity. To meet these needs, a forward-thinking approach to teacher development is crucial. This is precisely what The Fourth Century Center at AFS embodies:

Support for a full range of faculty learning, study, and innovative initiatives to keep our school at the forefront of meaningful growth in an ever-changing educational landscape.

Serving the AFS community, the landscape of Friends education, and the world beyond.

The Fourth Century Center comprises a team of directors braiding together the strands of our current strategic plan: experiential learning; equity, justice and engagement; and student support and wellbeing. This team works closely with one another and across divisions to: promote cross-curricular learning opportunities; promote the use of educational research in teaching; and develop programmatic offerings for students to broaden the horizon of their experiences.

Programs and Ongoing Work

Research and Design Fellowships

Fourth Century Fellowships provide funding for faculty to develop and fast-track transformative research-informed programs into AFS classrooms. Each year faculty and staff have the opportunity to apply for funding to research an area of their own passion that coincides with the objectives of the strategic plan. Examples of fellowships include:

Exploring Peer Mediation & Restorative Practices
A cohort of faculty from Lower, Middle, and Upper School, visited Carolina Friends School, host of Peaceful Schools, in order to inform the deepening of restorative practices at AFS. The fellowship group also presented at the ADVIS (Advancing Independent Schools) Wellness Summit.
Establishing an Upper School Writing Center
After a year of researching writing center best practices and exploring writing center models at other schools, the AFS writing center is now open. The second year of the fellowship funded student mentor training and professional development for the faculty advisor.
Strengthening Learning Support Structures
After a year of research and consulting with other schools, the middle school has implemented a new learning support model. This year’s funding sent the learning support teachers and division director to a regional conference to deepen their professional practices.
School-wide Health and Wellness Curriculum
A cross-divisional team, including our school nurse, is researching the school-wide implementation of age-appropriate and inclusive health and wellness curricula. Funding supported the team's attendance at a regional conference.

As of the 2025-26 school year, the Fourth Century Center has begun funding its third round of Research and Design Fellowships, representing 25 faculty and staff fellows.

Inquiry Lab

Inquiry Labs: Collaborative Research at Abington Friends SchoolInquiry Labs serve as collaborative research groups, uniting faculty, students, and community stakeholders in exploration of topics pertinent to Quaker education, and education more broadly. Designed to harness the collective curiosity of their members, inquiry labs foster a method of developing a whole-school understanding of relevant educational queries.

In our inaugural lab, a group of 13 faculty, staff, and administrators worked with one intrepid upper school student to conduct a year-long exploration of technology use at AFS. Research was focused on three key areas:

The use of cell phones and related devices in Quaker schools
The impact of AI on education at AFS
Technology skills and ethics curricula

The Inquiry Labs for our 2025-2026 school year will focus on examining civics and civil discourse.

Objective and Methodology
The core objective of the Inquiry Labs is to approach each research topic without bias, embracing the Quaker principles of discernment and "continuing revelation." To gain greater context of the research topic or its application to education, lab members will meet with outside experts, speak with school professionals, and conduct community research.

Structure and Commitment
All participants are expected to convene several times each school year, about once every six weeks, fostering a regular rhythm of communication and collaboration. Between these meetings, members will work more frequently in smaller subgroups, allowing for focused and sustained inquiry into specific aspects of the broader research topic.

Purpose and Impact
The purpose of the lab is not merely to conduct research, but to enter a transformative process that leads to conclusions deeply resonant with the values and needs of the Abington Friends School community. By engaging in this rigorous process of inquiry, the lab aims to reach research-based and values-aligned recommendations for the Ad-Council. The expectation is that the findings and insights generated will not only inform educational practices at AFS, but also contribute meaningfully to broader discussions on education.

Our Strategic Plan

If you are interested in collaborating with the Fourth Century Center at Abington Friends School, please reach out to Adena Dershowitz, Director of the Fourth Century Center and Experiential Learning, at adershowitz@abingtonfriends.net.

We extend our immense gratitude to the many donors who support the Fourth Century Center through the Fourth Century Fund at Abington Friends School, and invite you to help grow our opportunities for current and future students, faculty, and staff with a donation of your own.

Fund the Fourth Century of Quaker Education