Chris Benbow, Head of School, Westtown School
In an interview with Invest:, Chris Benbow, head of school of Westtown School shared how the institution continues to thrive by grounding its mission in Quaker values. Benbow discussed recent initiatives aimed at curricular excellence, accessibility, and sustainability.
Could you provide a quick overview of Westtown School’s mission and key initiatives under your leadership?
We’re thriving, living our mission every day. Everything is grounded in our Quaker calling to honor that of God in each of us, lived out in classrooms, dorms, on stage, in art centers, and on athletic fields. Our goal challenges students to discover their gifts while living in a diverse, inclusive community. Key initiatives reflect our vision, aligned with our values. In the last couple of years, we’ve conducted a comprehensive program and curricular review to ensure our academic program meets the highest standards, reflecting Westtown’s strengths: our Quaker pedagogy, commitment to equity, justice, belonging, and focus on whole children. Financially, our endowment has grown to $127 million, crucial for sustainability and our aspiration to become need-blind. Each year, we dedicate $11.9 million to financial aid, investing in accessibility for talented young people. We launched the public phase of a $62 million campaign in October, the largest in our history, and we’re over 95% toward that goal. We’re grateful for our community’s support.
How has Westtown School navigated current enrollment trends and maintained access and affordability amidst economic uncertainty?
The pandemic presented challenges, and many schools are still experiencing its effects. Westtown has rebounded and remained stable over the past few years. While there’s room for growth in some areas, we’re in a stable position regarding enrollment.
How would you describe the strength of a Quaker education and Westtown’s support for student needs?
Westtown education is academically challenging and deeply human. The power of a Quaker education lies in its openness, inviting curiosity, reflection, meaning-making, and engaging with ideas and each other with integrity, leading to a purpose-driven life. We’re committed to preparing students for college and every aspect of their lives — academic, social, and through the residential program. We encourage them daily to listen deeply, honor the light in others, and develop tools to create meaningful change. As a boarding and day school, learning extends beyond the classroom. Living in our diverse, inclusive community fosters independence, empathy, and understanding of authentic community building. This, combined with a strong academic foundation and commitment to values, creates a transformative journey preparing graduates to be stewards and leaders of a better world.
How have collaborations and partnerships, particularly with other Friends schools, supported Westtown’s mission and community building?
We appreciate our partnerships with Friends schools throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond. The Friends Council on Education is vital, recognizing shared aspects of Quaker schools while acknowledging each school’s unique identity. Beyond Philadelphia, we have partnerships with community-based organizations. These connections have been instrumental in helping young people find their way to us, leading to successful matches.
What differentiates Westtown School, and what unique challenges is your leadership addressing?
While all Friends schools are committed to being informed by the inner light, its manifestation differs. At Westtown, our structure of pre-K through 12th grade, offering both day and boarding options, allows for exceptional work. We have students from nearby and globally, and this intentional diversity of identity, lived experience, and perspective is powerful. It creates opportunities to learn what it means to live in a diverse world. Our critical mass of international students in the upper school, with boarding only at that level, makes us attractive to families with international ties across our lower and middle schools. This is supported by our pre-K through 12-day and boarding structure, combined with our Quaker calling to honor the light in each other.
What are your top priorities for Westtown School in the coming years, and how do you see the school shaping the region?
A key priority involves our capital projects on campus. Some have been completed, others are ongoing, and more are planned for the next few years. These projects will allow us to serve students from the Philadelphia area successfully. We have a 600-acre campus with a farm, forest, and lake, integral to our academic experience. To meet student needs, we’re undertaking projects reflecting our values of community, learning, and sustainable living. Recent and upcoming projects include the Center for the Living Arts (CLA). We’ve completed the final phase of renovation, creating professional-grade spaces for theater, music, and visual arts, unifying our arts programs. The Lower School Playscape project was designed for developmental stages in our lower school, focusing on nature-based play. The playscape will offer our young learners opportunities not only for physical play, but also for creative and imaginative play. New structures include a slide built into a hill, a Viking swing, two parkour structures, a tree deck, play houses, boulders, and other climbing apparatuses. Because Lower School students and faculty took part in the early brainstorming phases of this project, there is a wonderful sense of ownership and community for the space. The Oak Lane Athletic Complex provides modernized fields, including two artificial turf fields, supporting physical wellness in various weather conditions. We’re in the planning and fundraising stages for a new 20,000-plus square-foot dining building. It will be light-filled, welcoming, and efficient, and serve as a daily hub for our community. In 2025, we installed an eight-acre solar array, reflecting our commitment to responsible energy use. It will offset over 90% of our electrical load and serve as a learning tool for students, demonstrating our values. These projects will enhance our ability to serve students and reinforce our commitment to community, learning, and sustainability, benefiting the region.
