School shapes far more than just a child’s academic ability. It’s where confidence, curiosity, and character are meant to take root. Yet, in many schools, the experience is limited to lectures, tests, and rote learning. What should be a vibrant time for personal growth and exploration often becomes a one-way transaction between teacher and student.
Friends Academy uses this time differently. By integrating extracurricular activities into the very fabric of the school culture, we can educate and nurture students holistically: mind, body, and spirit. Extracurriculars are a core part of the student experience as we seek to shape their lifelong learning, character development, and personal growth.
The Case for Extracurriculars: What the Research Says
Participation in activities outside of academic work doesn’t just fill time for your student. Independent school extracurriculars like clubs, athletics, the arts, and service projects enhance time management and communication skills and improve your child’s mental and emotional well-being.
No matter their age, students should be able to find belonging with peers, teachers, and those in the surrounding community. Extracurriculars and school-wide activities inherently promote better engagement between students and a better connection with the community.
Beyond the social and emotional benefits, extracurricular participation is linked to better academic performance. For instance, a study published in The Excellence in Education Journal found that students participating in extracurricular activities had significantly higher GPAs and more positive perceptions of their schools when compared to non-participants. College admissions officers look for unique extracurriculars on college applications because of their profound impact on producing students who are both high achievers and connectors to their communities.
Friends Academy offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities for students of all ages to encourage a holistic education and develop the character of a well-rounded scholar and person.
The Role of the Arts in Personal Growth
Arts education has an irreplaceable impact on cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and academic performance. More importantly, it uses creative experiences to nurture the whole person. At Friends Academy, the arts aren’t just a supplement to learning—they are a powerful pathway for students to discover who they are and how they wish to engage with the world.
We offer the widest variety of arts programming on Long Island, spanning music, theater, dance, and the visual arts. Additionally, we’re the first elementary school in New York to introduce an aerial arts program, reflecting our commitment to innovative, hands-on learning. Our visual arts curriculum includes experiences rarely found at the K-12 level, such as working in a traditional darkroom and exploring specialty courses like costume prosthetics. Each of these offerings invites students into new forms of creativity, empathy, and self-expression, encouraging them to take risks, find their voice, and build confidence through performance, experimentation, and critique. Whether on stage or in the studio, students learn to think critically and communicate with purpose.
Athletics and the Pursuit of Character
At Friends Academy, athletics are more than just games—they are character-shaping experiences deeply rooted in the school’s Quaker values of integrity, community, and perseverance. Students learn to push their limits while remaining grounded in respect and purpose. Whether on the field, court, water or track, they develop resilience, leadership, and critical thinking—skills that translate far beyond sports.
Research supports what our coaches and teachers see every day: participation in youth athletics fosters teamwork, goal-setting, and improved academic outcomes. In addition to better physical health and overall wellness, sports promote psychosocial health by building confidence, discipline, and interpersonal skills like leadership and collaboration—key attributes for future college and career success.
Leadership Development Through Service and Community
Service and leadership should not be extracurricular; they should be central to the school’s mission. Whether initiating sustainability programs or participating in student-led clubs, students learn that true leadership is grounded in reflection, responsibility, and a desire to uplift others. The result is a community of young people who don't just prepare for the future; they help shape it.
From the earliest grades through graduation, Friends Academy students are encouraged to lead not by position but through action by engaging in service, sustainability efforts, and a pursuit of truth, peace, and justice that reflect the school’s Quaker values. Leadership is integrated across disciplines and grade levels, empowering students to see themselves as agents of change in their communities and the wider world. Student leadership opportunities culminate in the Upper School–from student-led lunch & learn workshops, to committees devoted to service, diversity efforts, journalism, and sustainability, to senior capstone projects that involve younger peers and Long Island partners.
This commitment is brought to life through transformative, school-wide experiences like Peace Week, when the entire Friends Academy community pauses to reflect on what it means to live with integrity and purpose. Students learn to lead in peace through events, guest speakers, and guiding reflective practices centered on themes of unity, justice, and equity. These moments not only foster deep empathy and active listening but also give students the tools to navigate differences and lead with courage.
Leadership is also developed through Friends Academy’s unique community-building approach. Community Groups are mixed-aged groups comprising 15-18 students in K-12th grades. Through activities centered in service, mindfulness, gratitude, compassion, team-building, and curiosity, students from all grades learn how to be mentors and guides to those younger and older than them.
The Reflective Practice of Mindfulness
In a world filled with noise and constant activity, students need intentional time to pause, reflect, and connect. Mindfulness and contemplative practice reduce stress while sharpening cognitive skills such as focus, attentiveness, emotional regulation, and understanding—key abilities that support improved academic performance. By creating space for quiet reflection, students learn to engage more deeply with their learning and with one another. This dedicated time builds essential lifelong skills such as empathy, active listening, critical thinking, and public speaking, as well as the ability to use silence as a powerful tool for discernment and decision-making.
At Friends Academy, this kind of purposeful reflection isn’t an add-on; it’s a cornerstone of the student experience.
Each week, the school community gathers for Meeting for Worship, a distinct Quaker practice rooted in silence, listening, and open sharing. In this sacred space, students participate in an opportunity for quiet reflection, learning to slow down and connect deeply with themselves and their community. These quiet moments cultivate not only self-awareness but also a strong sense of belonging, leadership, and service, reinforcing Friends Academy’s mission to educate the whole child.
For more on how this tradition shapes the Friends Academy experience, explore our blog: What is a Quaker School? 5 Reasons to Choose a Quaker Education.
Building a Foundation for Lifelong Learning at Friends Academy
At Friends Academy, we believe extracurricular activities aren’t “extras”—they are essential to a well-rounded, values-driven education. Whether through the arts, athletics, community service, or leadership opportunities, our programs equip students with the confidence, character, and critical thinking skills to thrive in school and life. These co-curricular experiences help students go beyond academic achievement, nurturing empathy, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose.
We invite you to explore how Friends Academy nurtures students to be bold, compassionate, and inquisitive lifelong learners. Inquire today to connect with our Admissions team or schedule a campus visit to see our vibrant community culture for yourself.