Friends Select School

Why can't someone state their opinion without someone else criticizing and invalidating their concerns? Experience at a school is personal. We have been happy at times and unhappy at other times. But agree with the negative reviews about the lower school administration. They are probably nice to some parents, but we have heard too many disturbing stories. There is so much potential, but we have never seen "amazing" at this school - other than a few talented teachers. New leadership would mean everything. Leaders who better understand how to balance the needs of 3 groups - students, parents, and teachers. This group of administrators falls short.
—Submitted by a parent

So interesting that the 3 negative reviews in the past year were within 3 days of each other! One angry family leaves 3 reviews and creates a false impression of a wonderful school. FSS is amazing, please go check it out to see if it is a good fit for your family. It has been wonderful for my kids, one of whom has a learning disability and has received incredible support.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of 2 lower schoolers, one who suffers with ADHD. The school has been exceptional for my child. He is not an easy child, and they have accomodated him and nurtured him at every chance possible. His teachers have been wonderful. When I read the negative reviews, I think that either a) it is someone with an agenda, b)it is someone who will not be happy anywhere or c) a parent unwilling to admit their child is not perfect. Is Friends Select perfrect? No, but it is pretty darned close. The head of the lower school is AMAZING. He is smart, sincere, and a great leader. He has been incredibly impressive in all of my interactions with him. Teachers humiliating students would never, ever be tolerated at FSS! The school is full of smart , advanced children from high achieveing families. Despite this, there is very little competition as it is actively discouraged. In short, I am thrilled I send my 2 kids here. They are very different kids with different abilities, both of whom are thriving at FSS.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to high school here (public school for 1st-8th grade) and I am sad to read all of the bad reviews by lower school parents, especially those who say their children were humiliated for being "middle of the road" or having disabilities. I have ADD and multiple learning differences and FSS was a perfect fit for me. I thank FSS for challenging me (I did not get the best grades, and still went to my second choice school) to the fullest and emphasizing learning and personal growth rather than test scores and letter grades. I was VERY prepared for college and thank the wonderful teachers and administration for that.

Our daughter started in the kindergarten this year and could not be happier. She is thrilled to go to school every morning and has been learning and growing a lot at school. Her teachers are great communicators and have really gotten to know our child well. Our daughter is not a run-of-the-mill, middle of the road kind of kid: she is a very advanced, self-taught reader but is a bit shy (until she's comfortable, and then she can be downright goofy). Her teachers have been sensitive to this and have helped her make friends and accustom herself to a new environment with all new kids. The transition has gone more smoothly than we could have possibly imagined it would have. Our kid who hates to eat has even taken to eating school lunch with gusto. Her only regret: the days when she doesn't get to stay for the After School Program. We parents love it that the school tries to get us involved; appreciate that the kids are doing a lot of multi-sensory learning that is not geared towards worksheets and testing; and really appreciate the Quaker values that students are getting at school. We hope things continue to be as great as they are now!
—Submitted by a parent

As a psychotherapist who treats children with anxiety and self-esteem problems, I would not recommend this school for any child who is not totally "middle of the road" -the current administration acknowledges that they teach to the middle; if your child is more advanced, or will need special attention, he or she could be treated punitively and with public humiliation by the teacher, with the current administration's loyalty and approval. At Friends, the child is NOT the priority, covering teachers' unprofessionalism, inappropriate behavior and the status quo is. Parents who have shared their concerns about their child's treatment there have gotten lip service and experience the same type of humiliation and dismissiveness towards their concerns that their child has experienced. I suggest that you find a school which is more child-oriented and really follows the tenet of the school's written mission, hopefully including respect and compassion for the individual child.

Most of the teachers we have had are excellent, the kids are great, but the lower school head has got to go. He is hot tempered, does not listen to parents, and seems to forget people are paying to go to the school. I agree with the last reviewer - if your child has any issues, you will not like how you and your child are treated. The head of school should care that so many parents are unhappy with the lower school head - but she does not seem to at all.
—Submitted by a parent

PLEASE think twice before sending your child here! Our child has a teacher who is rigid, punitive, and who does her best to snuff out "the light in each child" (a Quaker value). Our child had a wonderful K teacher, but once she got to 1st grade she comes home crying, anxious and withdrawn because of the environment in her 1st grade class. We begged the administration to help our child and they refused to switch her out of the class (even though there are two other, non-full classes) and the lower school head brushed away our concerns saying it is not in their policy to switch kids and that the Quaker tradition is not to "run away from problems but to face them." Try telling that to a sweet, sensitive, intelligent 6 year old who only wants to have a nice, non-threatening, happy environment in 1st grade, not a punitive, militaristic, rigid one where humiliation is common. Other parents in her class have complained and the administration refuses to listen or do anything. We never write reviews about this sort of thing but felt compelled to in this case. *Please* send your child somewhere else--if he/she has any issues (legitimate at that), the administration won't and doesn't care.
—Submitted by a parent

Pros: beautiful building, located near many institutions that the school can access to supplement lessons (Academy of Science, PMA, etc), sports facilities (pool, roof field). Many excellent teachers. Many involved parents, excellent (and expensive) after school program. Cons: catering ever more to the "elite"- school continues to become less diverse and inclusive (and some might argue, Quaker) as the years go on. Aid awards have been cut back. Tuition rises at an alarming rate every year - you do not know what the following year's tuition bill will be until it is too late to transfer. Rates rise as much as 8% some years. Like all private schools, you are asked several times a year to give more money above and beyond tuition. This school has its issues - there are occasional drug issues in the high school, kids and parents can be cliquey, administration can be very difficult to interface with.
—Submitted by a parent

I am always amazed that with so many choices for schools in the area, private, public, and charter, that an angry, unhappy parent would choose to remain at a school with which they are so unhappy. Our children are current students and we have been extremely satisfied with our experience. Our children have had excellent, caring teachers and we find the curriculum to be appropiately challenging. The specials curriculum is exceptionally well-rounded and enjoyable for the students. I am comfortable recommending Friends Select as a great independent school.
—Submitted by a parent

Go to St. Peters or TPS if you have a choice. There is a judgmental and angry tone in this school that seems to be getting worse with time. Not sure about all these glowing reviews from parents - maybe they are written by teachers who send their kids there. Most parents we know are not thrilled and are evaluating our options for the future.
—Submitted by a parent

All four of our children went to FSS kindergarten through 12th grade. Two went on to Harvard, one to Oberlin and one to Swarthmore. FSS helped us raise four highly functional, compassionate and intelligent children. Some teachers came and went during our time there, but the institution is very strong, and if a good teacher left, his/her replacement was just as good. We could not have raised our children so successfully without the school's support and involvement. I cannot recommend this school highly enough.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is mediocre at best. Kids are expected to uphold Quaker values, but administration and teachers are not. There are some good teachers, but many average or bad teachers. If it were free, that could be tolerated. But, that is not the case. If your child has any differences - gifted or learning issues, this is definitely not the place to go. They do well with the cookie cutter kids and that is probably it.
—Submitted by a parent

I had 2 sons who attended FSS for high school. One graduated in 2002. The other in 2006. FSS brought out the best in both of them, academically, but perhaps more importantly in the appreciation of difference and acceptance of others. One went on to graduate from Pitt and the other from Brown.
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my oldest child (end of first grade) because he wasn't learning to read fast enough and the school kept pushing us to "do something" as opposed to taking on the challenge. Interestingly my younger child's teacher didn't know he could read until week 6 of school when he was reading a book to me during drop off! Clearly, there is a problem with teaching. With that being said, Friends produces the NICEST children. But for 20k I want educated and nice :)
—Submitted by a parent

I have had children in grades pre-K through 4th at Friends Select and overall my experience has been excellent. In the lower grades, one teacher and one assistant per classroom means an 8- or 9-1 ratio, which is tremendous. Of the 20+ teachers (classroom and specialists) that I have experienced, I have found all but one to be completely engaged and right on target for the children. There is a wonderful focus on seeing the light in each member of the community, and I appreciate that. However, they are generally teaching to the slightly above average child. If your child has learning differences, or wants a super challening environment, this will probably not be the right place.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in Kindergarten, his second year at Friends Select. He absolutely loves school, and his academic progress has been outstanding. I am so glad we chose FSS!! A wonderful, supportive learning community.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is finishing Pre-K and the school is truly excellent. My child has had a fantastic experience, with wonderful teachers (the main teachers plus the 'specials' - art, music, science, PE). Even at a very young age they have used the resources of the city with many field trips to great locations. From the Head of School to the crossing guards to the people in the cafeteria, every person I've encountered has been warm, friendly, caring and extremely competent.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently go to school at FSS and i still love it. I have been going there since i was only 4 and its just great. My favorite part about it is actually knowing your teachers when they are not teaching you. And also knowing that your teachers will be there for you if you need them. Friends Select is not like any other school, and that is because you know everyone and you can have a relationship with everyone. We are actually coming to a time where the meeting house is going under construction. It is a little bit of a sad time because it will be the longest a lot of us have been out of that peaceful place since we were 4. We are a community that is very connected to our learning and our future.
—Submitted by a student

Friends Select is a very nice school for kids that can reach above and beyond.