Welcome to the ais parent community
As parents and guardians of Agnes Irwin students, you are an integral part of our vibrant and engaged community.
Agnes Irwin proudly hosts several beloved, all-school events that are free for parents and families, including the Back to School BBQ, Parent Socials, and our Parent Special Interest Groups. These gatherings offer valuable opportunities to reinforce our shared vision for our girls and to get to know your daughters’ friends, fellow parents, and our dedicated faculty and staff.
As an AIS parent or guardian, you are automatically a member of the Agnes Irwin School Parents’ Association (AIS|PA). The AIS|PA’s mission is to foster a positive spirit within the Agnes Irwin community and to provide financial support for educational spaces, opportunities, and enrichment through various fundraising activities and events.
We hope you’ll join us for as many all-school and AIS|PA events as you can this year! If you have questions or suggestions, please contact our Director of Parent Engagement, Carla DiOrio, at cdiorio@agnesirwin.org or 610-801-1254.
Volunteer Opportunities
AIS parents are eager to be involved, engaging the community here on campus. Many in-school volunteer opportunities exist. Please bring your ideas to the school as our community is strengthened by everyone’s generous contributions of time and talents.
Volunteer opportunities on campus include:
Teacher Appreciation
Parents Association Events
Book Fair
Lower School Cafeteria
RenAISance Shop
School Store
Admission Support of New Families
Divider Plaid
Volunteer Opportunities in the Surrounding Communities
Community service is a passion of the entire AIS community. Our Community Service Program aims to host at least two different charitable initiatives per month and is managed through the work of the Parents’ Association Executive Committee and the Director of Parent Engagement. We engage in indirect service opportunities (can drives, wish lists, toiletry drives) and direct service such as trips to local soup kitchens, nursing homes, and food pantries. We also partner with Vanessa Babinecz, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Experiential Learning, for many parent/child community service opportunities.
Special Interest Groups
Running & Walking Group
The Lower School Arts program nurtures creativity, collaboration, and skill development through hands-on learning and performance. Students explore music and visual art while building confidence, teamwork, and a strong foundation in creative expression.
Book Club
Co-Hosted by AIS parents and Carla DiOrio , the Book Club will begin meeting on January 29, 2026.
Flower Arrangement Club
The workshop will be held at Valley Forge Flowers in the Eagle Village Shops located at 503 Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA. Once parents have taken the workshop, they will be a part of the club that decorates the school at PA events with breathtaking arrangements.
Owls Kitchen
Owl’s Kitchen is a family cooking show, featuring one or more AIS families per month. All AIS community members can watch the video on our website and use the recipe cards to cook at home. Each month, a new video will be posted to the AIS website and recipe cards will be emailed out. At the end of the academic year, a cookbook will become available.
Events
New Parent Welcome Parties
The Development and Admissions Teams together host a spring picnic and fall cocktail party for new families and their partner families from the school community to welcome them to our warm and inclusive community.
Book Fair
Celebrate our girls’ growing love of reading at the Lower School Book Fair featuring books from Children's Book World. There are many genres and reading levels to explore!
Spirit Bonfire
The All School Bonfire is the kickoff to AIS/EA Day Spirit Week. This family event includes inflatables, dinner, games, a silent auction, and, of course. a bonfire!
Owlidays
Parents, grandparents, past parents and alumnae are invited to a day of discounted shopping at participating stores in the greater Philadelphia area and an evening of cocktails in Eagle Village, Devon.
Back to School BBQ
This beloved family-friendly event is the capstone kickoff to the academic year at AIS. Free for all families to attend, it features face-painting, kids’ crafts, music, and delicious BBQ.
May Fair
This Lower School tradition, dating back to 1869, begins with each grade in the Lower School performing a dance around the Maypole, culminating with the weaving of the Maypole ribbons by the fourth grade. Following these dances, the girls enjoy a spring fair filled with games, treats, and fun.
Family Skating Night
Grab your skates and join us at the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society in Ardmore. Admission is free.
Faculty & Staff Lunches
Parents lovingly host a lunch for the faculty and staff to express their gratitude for all that they do for the girls, each and every day.
Parent Association Meetings
All parents and guardians are encouraged to attend these informational monthly meetings. They are held in person at 672 Conestoga Road and virtually.
rAISe
Parents’ Association’s largest fundraiser of the year is an adult-only evening party that includes dinner, entertainment, and opportunities to give back to the school. The auction features one-of-a kind items and opportunities for all to enjoy.
Movie Night
In partnership with our friends at Haverford, we annually host a community-building movie night at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute.
Gathering for Families of Color
Annual AIS Gathering for Students of Color and their Families is co-hosted by the Director of DEIB: Community Connection & Engagement and the DEIB Chair of the Parents’ Association’s Executive Committee. Delicious international foods, festivities, music, and fellowship are all on the menu at this vibrant, all-school event.
Spirit Fair and Bonfire: Spirit Fair is the kickoff to AIS/EA Day Spirit Week. This family event brings our whole community together to celebrate being a part of The Agnes Irwin School and officially launches a week of joy, athletics, and community spirit. This event features inflatables, dinner, games, a silent auction, and a bonfire.
Divider Plaid
Allison Hough '01
Emily Rauch
Carla DiOrio
Agnes Irwin School Parents' Association
Log into the Parent Portal for more information about the AIS|PA and to access Volunteer Forms.
