We're a Small School with a Strong Sense of Community and We're Here for You

One of the hallmarks of our small independent school is the quality of our relationships with children and their families - parents, siblings, and even grandparents.   From the moment you walk into our school or talk with one of our staff on the telephone, by email (and now by Zoom), it's evident that we are truly interested in making a connection with your family, and especially with your child(ren).  As a Quaker school, we are guided by the testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship -- principles we refer to as our SPICES. 

One of the things Quakers (Friends) believe is that there is "that of God in everyone," and that this "light" deserves our loving attention.  For our teachers and school leaders this belief is what inspires our desire to know each child deeply -- their gifts and learning edges; their interests and learning styles, and their hopes and dreams.  We discover these things about our students by asking questions, by watching them at work and play, and by recognizing their spoken and unspoken -- or demonstrated -- ideas and feelings.

Although we are not in our spacious, beautiful school home right now, our teachers have been able to create routines and offerings to help families manage school at home, and to help students to feel engaged in meaningful exploration and connection with friends.  This has been no easy feat for our creative and resourceful teachers but parents have responded favorably to our ongoing communication and fine-tuning to allow for the most effective and personalized connections academically and socially. 

While we may not know what the immediate future holds for our physical return to school this fall, we are certain that we can continue to provide thoughtful learning experiences and opportunities for connection between school and home.  We  invite you to learn more about our Pre-K through 8th grade community by visiting our classroom pages, Facebook, and by talking with our admissions director Lisa Gamble.

Our teachers are engaging with students and families in creative ways to offer continuity in academics and a strong supportive community bond.  We look forward to sharing our stories with you.

Virtual Learning becomes Real Learning

We are keeping the learning alive at Friends School even though the classrooms are empty.  Teachers are engaging students in online lessons, offering fun activities, and encouraging learning through play.  Community is important too, and keeping students connected to their friends and their teachers is a priority.  Read more about how our teachers are supporting families during this time of emergency school-at-home.

    Let's have a conversation about enrollment.
Your support during Centre Gives resulted in $13,600 for our student Scholarship Fund which allows us to offer flexible tuition.  Thank you!
 Although we are not able to be in classrooms right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our teachers continue to connect with students in meaningful ways,  looking forward to the time when we will be together again. 

Families who rely on financial assistance to meet tuition need your support, now more than ever.  Please consider a gift for a student through our Scholarship Fund.
​Your Planned Gift helps to ensure the future strength of our school community.  Please contact Lori Pacchioli for more information or visit our Support Page to read more.  Thank you.

Did you miss giving during Centre Gives?

We appreciate your support any time.  Thank you for considering a gift to Friends School.
For Pennsylvania businesses and residents, here's another way to support Friends School: The Educational Tax Credit Program.    Once, only available to businesses, this tax-credit program is now available to residents in PA.  Please contact our Business Manager Seamus Perritt-Reish for more information.
SCFS Parent Portal
Friends School ( Pre-K to Grade 8)
1900 University Drive
State College, PA 16801
814-237-8386
Head: Donnan Stoicovy
Assoc. Head/Admissions: Lisa Gamble
Advancement: Lori Pacchioli
Administrative Asst. : Jackie Elliott
Bookkeeping: Joanne Green
Business Mgr: Seamus Perritt-Reish
Pre-K through 8th grade Facebook
Middle School Facebook