The Quakertown private school that closed in July has filed for bankruptcy. Last month, the United Friends School, formerly located at 1018 South Broad Street, sought Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection by filing a petition in federal court.

            The Aug. 14 filing, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, before Judge Patricia M. Mayer, is signed by Andrea Myers, co-chair of the United Friends board. It estimates the former Quaker school owes between 50 and 99 creditors between $100,001 and $500,000. The facility claimed assets totaling between $0 and $50,000.

            The school, which previously taught children between pre-school and eighth grade, closed its doors July 15 after operating for 42 years. A message posted on its website expressed gratitude for the many students, families, faculty, staff and friends who have been part of its community.

            The decision caught one East Greenville family by surprise. Stephanie Young claims she felt blindsided by the news.

            "I was in absolute shock," said Young, whose daughter was planning to start fourth grade at the school.

            The Cherry Street resident says the child's grandparents, who made an $11,000 tuition payment, have not been reimbursed. She claims no other parents have had their tuition payments returned.

            Young, who attended the school in the 1990s, said she appreciated its small class size and community atmosphere. She said her daughter, who had an individual educational plan, had only five other classmates.

            Last year, Young had two daughters enrolled at the school. However, United Friends' decision to discontinue its sixth, seventh and eighth grades – made during the middle of last year – led to the older child's enrollment at the Upper Perkiomen Middle School.

            "I thought our girls would have a home there for several more years," Young said. "[The people at the school] were wonderful. I have nothing bad to say."

            Court paperwork, obtained through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service, includes a list of 77 names and addresses of residents and business owners. Most live in Quakertown and Bucks County, however a handful are located in Pennsburg, East Greenville and Green Lane boroughs and Upper Hanover township.

            Alexander Moretsky, a Huntingdon Valley attorney representing the former school, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.