Plymouth Meeting Friends School has announced that Matthew Bradley has transitioned from interim head of the school to the permanent head.

Bradley has served as the interim head since July 2025, following a national search that recognized his deep experience in independent and Quaker education, as well as his strong alignment with the school’s mission and values, the school said Saturday in a news release.

“From my career in independent and Friends education,” Bradley said, “I have come to understand that the best schools educate children to become the kinds of adults we want to lead our society: individuals who think critically and challenge assumptions; who reach out with kindness to others and have a sense of responsibility to their community; and who draw upon the foundation of their school experiences to be creative, caring problem solvers and to lead lives of meaningful purpose. I have learned that Plymouth is this kind of school.”

Bradley brings nearly 40 years of experience in K-12 independent school education to Plymouth Meeting, including 25 years as a head of school. He most recently served as the head of school at Friends School Mullica Hill, a position he held for eight years. His journey in education began as a third and fourth grade teacher at Friends Academy on Long Island.

Bradley recently completed the Heads of School Fellowship Program at the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame. His record of service includes his current roles as clerk of the finance committee for the Friends Council on Education and trustee at Delaware Valley Friends School.

Founded in 1780, Plymouth Meeting Friends is a private school serving ages 3 through 5th grade.