United Friends School

At UFS my children are thriving academically while enjoying their childhood thanks to a supportive and nurturing academic environment. Children come to UFS with the normal social and academic challenges children face, but what is remarkable at UFS is how each child is given the support and encouragement to develop into leaders, succeed in teams, rise to the rigorous academic curriculum and develop a love of learning. Quaker values of respect are evident in interactions between children of all ages as well as adults. The curriculum is creative and engaging while teaching advanced critical thinking skills, and the language, music and art programs are phenomenal. The entire school participates in an annual play, students take frequent field trips, and middle school students have the opportunity to travel to other parts of the world. The school offers everything we hoped to find and I highly recommend it.
--Submitted by a parent

Our children are thriving at UFS. We have been at UFS for many years, and find it to be a nurturing, academically-challenging, progressive, and globally-minded place for our children to learn. The teachers (including Specialists and After-School educators) are outstanding, exciting, and dynamic. They teach to differing interests and abilities, honoring all children and their unique contributions to the school and to the larger community. We have found the school to be a place that embraces diversity in its student population and in its curricular content (including Social Studies, the Arts, & the Natural Sciences). Field trips, library time, gardening, free play, creative thinking, and the Arts are honored here, and students experience the world through hands-on lessons. This is a school that teaches the WHOLE child. My children are learning conflict resolution and how to advocate for themselves and for others. They are learning technology, research methods, critical thinking, classic literature, Spanish...and they LOVE every minute of it. The school is well-run by a solid administrative team. Another parent called UFS a gem of a school, and I couldn't agree more.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughters attend UFS in kindergarten and 5th grade. We moved here last year from Hawaii and were welcomed with open arms. Not only are the academics stellar, but UFS is a diverse, joyful place to learn. Bullying is absolutely not tolerated. They work hard with the children on positive and open communication, socialization, and forming good relationships. All ages play and learn together happily. Fellow parents muse at the fact that it's hard to dislodge our children from the playground at the end of the day. They love being at UFS. Plus, it's one of the only full-day, full-week kindergarten programs around. The UFS middle school is extraordinary and has been recognized by the legislature for their multi-year water study and authoring an ordinance that was passed to protect Licking Creek. The middle school is going to Costa Rica this year and will be embarking on a major STEAM program in 2012-13 to integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math and enhance 21st century skills. There are no standardized tests at UFS, but the 8th grade graduates test among the best and get into fine schools like George School and Westtown. UFS is a gem and well worth the tuition.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family has been involved with UFS for some time. On the positive side, UFS has many caring and nurturing teachers, and many strive to have a diverse, hands-on, enriching, and learning environment. The younger children particularly seem to have a great joy of learning. Acceptance for one another is a very real Quaker value that is manifested within the school. On the negative side, there is no clearly defined academic mission statement, and weak school leadership. The class sizes are too small in the upper elementary and middle school for continued healthy growth. Many kids are accepted for enrollment who have learning and behavioral issues, but UFS doesn't have the resources or ability to integrate or handle them without disruption to the learning process for the other children. A particular teacher my child has, communicates poorly, does not teach imaginatively, and is lacking strengths in certain core academic areas. This school does not know how to reach out to emotionally and academically healthy kids in order to provide continued healthy growth for the entire school.
--Submitted by a parent

My children attended UFS preschool through 8th grade, and are now attending and thriving in a very competitive private high school, arriving there well prepared and confident. The same can be said for their classmates who attend and excel in the local High Schools and private high schools such as Perkiomen, George, Hill, Peddie, Solebury. UFS is an amazing community of teachers, staff, familes and students with a common goal of making school interesting, challenging, peaceful and respectful. Class size is small, great student/teacher interaction. Parent involvement is welcomed at all levels. The Middle school program is dynamic and creative and does a fine job of preparing their graduates for the transition from this small school to larger high schools. Tuition is very reasonable and generally less than other independent schools in the area. We recommend this school for anyone who is looking for an alternative for their children.
--Submitted by a parent

My 4th and 7th grader at UFS have been there the past 6 years. Outstanding teachers and rigorous academic program. Very rich and creative learning environment. Very strong middle school program. Graduates accepted to the most competitive private high schools or excel at their public school. As a pediatrician, I know the experiences of kids at all the local schools. So many are anxious and stressed. Mine love school! Tuition much less than other private schools. My children never lacked anything that mattered. Careful stewardship of funds, every dollar well spent. Peaceful conflict resolution modeled and taught. Children feel valued and emotionally safe. Concerns welcomed, responses reassuring and effective. Excellent education for children with a variety of learning styles. This school is a treasure.
--Submitted by a parent

We first enrolled our daughter in UFS for preschool. Next year she'll graduate 8th grade, and in all those years we've never once regretted our decision. This is a small school that cares about each and every student. The teachers clearly love what they do (and do it well). Their enthusiasm inspires their students. They teach children to love to learn! The curriculum encourages students to explore subjects in depth and from different angles, allowing a more well rounded understanding. Unlike the previous poster, we've found the Quaker principles to be evident throughout the school's culture, and the school to be excellent at accommodating students of all needs and abilities. Some students/parents/schools are simply not a good match. I suspect that may be the case with the previous poster, as in 10 years we've experienced none of the things (s)he describes. In fact, we could not recommend UFS highly enough.
--Submitted by a parent

While many of the sparkling reviews have come from pre-school parents mine comes from a 5-6 grade middle school perspective. This school was a huge waste of money for us. Many of the teachers made very poor choices and were outright rude to my child on a regular basis. The other middle school children were also rude and verbally bullying to my child and the head of school was useless when we tried to address the issues multiple times. The Quaker philosophy of peace and equality was non-existent. They also took in special needs children and then had NO IDEA how to deal with them to the point that the daily learning process was constantly interrupted. The budget is on a shoe string even though the tuition is so high. They had no money to purchase a 30.$ software pkg and had to use a DEMO! I could go on...
--Submitted by a parent

My children have been involved in the preschool program at UFS for the past four years, and I couldn't ask for a more nurturing, fun, hands-on, and gentle introduction to education. UFS provides an environment that encourages students' minds and creativity, while teaching them the importance of diversity, service to the community, and conflict resolution. The children are challenged in a manner that fosters curiosity and joy in learning. It is the type of school I've always hoped for my children to attend.
--Submitted by a parent

I had not intended to submit a review, but felt compelled by the January 5th one-star review. I am shocked by the experience of the reviewer since my experience was only positive. My son attended UFS preschool from 2004-2006 (we drove him from Bethlehem to Quakertown to attend), and just this week I contacted the school to begin the enrollment process for my daughter. I have recommended this school without reservation to many friends. Those who have enrolled their children in the program are extremely pleased with the school and the preschool teachers. Colleen A., the lead preschool teacher, is gentle, nurturing and gifted in so many ways. Never have I seen her raise her voice to a child in anger. She embodies the Quaker values espoused by the school. The program is excellent. I encourage anyone interested to visit and observe the classroom, or to attend an open house.
--Submitted by a parent