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Purposeful, Principled, and Profound

Academics

Our Early Childhood – Grade 12 academic program is rooted in Quaker values and built on a belief that every student possesses an inner light. We cultivate that light through rigorous inquiry, reflective practice, and collaborative problem-solving—preparing learners not just for tests, but for life.

elementary school girl at desk
Early Childhood- Grade 4

Lower School

Foundations of Wonder

friends academy middle school girl in library
Grades 5-8

Middle School

Building Habits of Inquiry

friends academy upper school teen outside
Grades 9-12

Upper Schools

Preparing Leaders of Conscience

Our Philosophy: Inquiry Meets Integrity

Curiosity-Driven Learning

From the earliest years, students follow their interests—adding to knowledge across fields, solving problems, and generating original art, music and writing.

Process Over Product

Inspired by Quaker pedagogy, we emphasize thoughtful reflection and iteration. We welcome mistakes as opportunities to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

Essential Questions

In Middle and Upper School, we delve into thematic “big questions”—not simply to answer them, but to unpack them, challenge assumptions, and explore diverse perspectives.

Five children sit on red steps in a library, with bookshelves and colorful bins in the background. One girl in a red sweater is speaking while others listen.
A teenage boy wearing a black sweater with a colorful emblem raises his hand while seated indoors.

Peek Into the Classroom

  • Forest Program

    Our campus serves as an extension of the classroom. Lower School students plant gardens, collect specimens, build birdhouses, and explore trails. Outdoor learning fosters ecological responsibility and hands-on science skills.

  • Senior Reflections

    In this annual course, seniors engage in a journey of ethical reflection and social impact, inspired by Quaker principles.

  • Mapping Ancient Civilizations

    Using 3D pens and other materials, Middle School students design re-creations of ancient structures, hieroglyphics, pyramids, and more. In addition to the crafting artifacts, each student develops a presentation.

  • Conversations with History

    In Grade 4, students select a historical figure to research, then team up with our Theater Department to write and perform dialogues that put these diverse figures in conversation with each other.

  • Speech & Debate

    In this quarter-long class that all grade 5 and 6 students take, students practice public speaking, how to make arguments, frame issues, and see multiple sides of a problem.

  • Immersive Theater

    The Upper School Fall Production, an immersive play, retold classic fairytales. Instead of sitting, audience members followed characters around the theater, which had been transformed into a fairytale village by foreboding music, dark shadows, woodland scenes scattered amongst the unused seats, and seven partitioned rooms at the back of the stage.

A boy examines a glass slide while a woman smiles behind him and another child points towards the slide in a classroom setting.

Meaningful Moments

Fast Facts

75%
Faculty hold advanced degrees
50+
School districts represented
48%
Students of Color

Quaker Values in Every Classroom

Our commitments to Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship are woven into all disciplines. Whether via community service partnerships or weekly Meeting for Worship, students learn to act thoughtfully, listen deeply, and live compassionately.

Young female student in light blue shirt

Holistic Advising

Our robust advisory and counseling teams provide holistic guidance. Each student partners with a faculty advisor for course planning, goal-setting, and self-advocacy. Grade-level Deans, counselors, and advisors support students’ academic balance, mental health, and college readiness.

Teacher holding a computer keyboard

Download the All-School Viewbook

Flip through the pages of our all-school Viewbook to get a glimpse into every grade at Friends Academy.

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Program Highlights

college counseling

Discovering What's Next

A journey that aligns with your interests and aspirations is as important as the destination.

Friends Academy girls rehearsing lines

Vibrant Arts

Creativity thrives in our studios, and on our stages – and is integral to every student’s experience.

Friends Academy Baseball Team

Competitive Athletics

Our scholar-athletes build skills, hone talents, and learn what it means to be part of a successful team.

Learning Beyond Campus

Friends Academy students take their learning beyond Locust Valley—exploring new cultures, communities, and perspectives through immersive off-campus programs, and domestic and international travel.

student field trip in iceland
Five boys, wearing casual school clothes and carrying bags, walk and laugh together on a grassy area outside a brick school building.

Start Your Journey