Student Activities

Events span a wide range of interests, including soccer games, movie nights, trips around Philadelphia, and more. Because Curtis serves a highly diverse, international community, student activities also focus on fostering a community spirit between students from all countries and backgrounds, with international food and entertainment events a frequent favorite among the student body. Wellness activities are also offered throughout the course of the academic year, in support of students’ physical and mental health. There are also occasional field trips to New York City and nearby attractions in the tri-state area.

Many Curtis traditions date back to the school’s founder, Mary Louise Curtis Bok, and are still practiced today. These historic traditions include Wednesday tea and the annual holiday party. Every Wednesday at 3 p.m. throughout the school year, students, faculty, staff, and their guests gather in the Gary and Naomi Graffman Common Room for tea and light refreshments. This unique event offers the entire Curtis community a break for relaxation and informal conversation. The annual holiday party, held every December just before exam week, features seasonal entertainment, student-led skits and videos, refreshments, and dancing to live music in Field Concert Hall.

Musically, students participate in an incredibly wide range of opportunities to perform, including over 100 chamber recitals, multiple symphony orchestra concerts, fully staged opera productions, and more. Students also have access to Philadelphia’s world-class arts organizations, many of which frequently offer free or discounted tickets to Curtis students.