The 1980s were a decade of great change at Church Farm School, the all-boys boarding and day school in Exton.

The school’s longstanding farming operations had fully ceased, and by the early 1990s, the school sold off much of its 1,600 acres. This created a strong endowment for the school to continue its mission of providing a financially accessible education to deserving young men and moved the school’s focus more strongly toward a college prep education.

Beyond change to the school’s programs, the 1980s are remembered both inside of CFS and outside of it for bold fashion, innovative technology, buzzworthy toys, and a host of musical artists whose popularity was elevated through the rise of MTV.

Church Farm School will celebrate the decade that brought us Bueller, Benetton, Boys Don’t Cry, and Boomboxes at its “Rockin’ the ’80s” community event on Friday, May 12 at 7 PM in Founder’s Pavilion. Held in conjunction with Church Farm School’s Alumni Weekend 2023 and open to anyone interested in Church Farm School’s mission, the event will feature:

• Live performance by ’80s band Basic Cable
• ’80s hits by the Church Farm School Choir
• DJ, dancing, and ’80s video walls
• Pacman arcade games
• Retro photo booth
• Raffles and costume contests
• Heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine

The event is “pay what you are able,” but there are a variety of sponsorships for those individuals and organizations who’d like to support Church Farm School’s longstanding mission of equitable access to independent education. Grab your hair crimper, leg warmers, Ray Bans, ripped jeans, and some friends, and sign up today at Church Farm School.