Friends Seminary

I graduated from Friends in 2009 and in the fall of 2012 my sister will enroll in high school. We don't yet know where she will end up, but I truly hope it will be Friends. Friends is very strong in the humanities, particularly English. At the end of 12th grade, a few of the members of the class of 2008 returned for a discussion panel on what the transition from Friends to college is like. They assured as that with a Friends education, we could expect the transition to be quite easy. According to the alums, Friends students need not worry about time management issues, writing woes, or challenges in building a group of close friends. When I entered college, I found the same to be true. Admittedly I underprepared a bit for my first college exam (Intro to Psych), but later I discovered that I did a good 20% better than another girl from a prestigious LA prep school. I'd like for my sister to attend Friends not only because I know she will get a top-notch education, but also because I'm sure that she'll be accepted by the other students and find a social circle that she feels comfortable in. In middle school I had a lot of trouble fitting in but at Friends I felt right at home.

I'm a lifer at Friends and I've always loved it here; the sense of community and the rigorous but fun classes offered have always been what kept me coming back every year. I cannot picture my life without Quaker meeting in the mornings, and as recently as two years ago I cannot even begin to imagine I'd ever give Friends less than a five out of five stars. However, I feel that Friends has changed a lot since I started in 2000, and some of these changes I don't like. I find that more and more, Friends is accepting the kinds of kids I'd find at Dalton or Horace Mann, and that the families that were accepted when I started (including my own) I cannot imagine being accepted today. My family is quirky, and we're certainly not the family that you would find being accepted at an Upper East Side prep school, and quite frankly I wouldn't want to be. Friends used to be more aligned with the Quakers, but lately I just don't see it nearly as much. I love Friends for the priceless education I've received here, and for the life-long friends I've made here, but in my opinion, Friends needs to do a little soul-searching and get back to it's roots where it belongs - in Quakerism.

I began the Friends Seminary Upper School in freshman year and I am so glad I did. Everyone has been so welcoming and I've had so much fun with my fellow students. The teachers are truly dedicated and care about the success of each individual student. I love all my teachers, they are great at what they do and really understand the material they teach. I learned so much at my first year at friends than any other school i've attended. Most people get the impression that Friends is an "easy" school because it is based on Quaker values. This is completely false. The Friends high school is extremely rigorous. But, even though it is a lot of work, the topics are still interesting. If you are considering putting your child in the Friends upper school you should make sure they are self motivated to work hard. Although the curriculum is challenging, Friends provides plenty of resources and support to keep students up to speed. But, what I love most about Friends is the community. You start out at Friends and you are treated like you've been there all along Everyone is really close. It's just a really extraordinary school to attend.

This school is simply outstanding, from the top down. Bo Lauder is an extraordinary and accessible leader, the teachers are first-rate, the parents are warm and welcoming. Could not be a better experience for my child.
--Submitted by a parent

Truly a first-rate school. My children are receiving an outstanding education here. This school also seems to be a few years ahead of other NYC private schools, which is beneficial for a hard-working student. But, I should mention that it is quite difficult to be accepted into the Friends high school (many children are not accepted, because it is in fact considered a 'harder' school)
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. I had many reservations about sending my son there. I was scared that it wouldn't have been competitive enough and that my son would be forced to adopt the Quaker religion. I'm happy to say that neither was true. It's super competitive, rigorous and exclusive. It's just a really good prep school and slightly less expensive than other prep schools.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started Kindergarten at Friends this year and she is thrilled to be there. Her teachers are very nurturing and committed to their work. My daughter comes home each day excited about what she has learned not only in her assigned class, but also in all of the elective classes she goes to. Even better that Quaker values are taught. The community overall is warm and welcoming. We are very happy as a family to be at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter attended middle school at Friends and received an excellent education. She truly learned how to learn and has become a very engaged, highly motivated student. The history and science curricula are very interactive. Starting in 7th grade Latin is required for all students which has greatly enhanced our daughter's appreciation and knowledge of words. Unfortunately the school is a little small for our family and lunch period (if you even get one) is insanely early. A great place for a self-directed kid who know how to take advantage of study halls to reduce the nightly homework load.
--Submitted by a parent

i love friends seminary for many reasons. not only is it a first rate academic school, but the community is special and a big reason why my children are there.
--Submitted by a parent

Kids seem to get a great education, social skills, multi-cultural exchanges, hands on experience out of this school. Kids,teachers & parents seem really involved