Admission to Friends School Pre-K through 8th Grade
Although our Open House and Play Days have been postponed, we invite you to learn more about the difference of a Friends School Pre-K through 8th grade education by visiting our classroom pages; by enjoying a pictorial view of the school, and by talking with Lisa Gamble.
We also invite you to complete the contact form on our homepage. 
State College Friends School welcomes students who will benefit from our instructional style and who will contribute positively to the life of the school community.
We are an independent, tuition-based school, seeking students from families who are supportive of our Quaker values and our educational goals. Friends School is committed to building and maintaining a community that is diverse and inclusive. One of the comments we hear most frequently from families who come to visit State College Friends School is, “It feels so good here!” We believe this feeling is the result of many things -- our student-centered approach to education; our Quaker roots and practices; beloved school traditions; vigorous academics rather than test-driven instruction, and the families, faculty, staff, volunteers, and trustees that make up our school community. Upon visiting, one of the first things you'll notice is the warm, almost home-like feel of the school, designed for student autonomy, independent and group work, social gatherings, and connection with nature. Throughout the school, you’ll hear respectful language, positive encouragement, and lots of joyful laughter. Right away, you'll get a sense of the genuine relationships between children and teachers here and the warmth of community. We'd love to have you visit with us so that you can see, hear, and feel for yourself what a Friends School education could mean for your child. Flexible Tuition
Friends School offers an alternative to publicly-funded/charter schools for families residing in State College and surrounding communities. Also referred to as private schools, independent programs, such as Friends School, are funded through tuition and supplemental contributions from a variety of sources -- primarily individual donors, local businesses, and small grants.
We want as many people as possible, who understand the value of a Friends education, to be able to become a part of the Friends School community. Therefore, we are committed to offering flexible tuition to help make a Friends education available. K-8 flexible tuition means that the amount a family pays -- from full tuition to partially funded tuition -- varies based on parents' income, assets, and other pertinent financial information. For qualified families with children ages 3-5 in Pre-K, the federal government offers financial assistance through a subsidized childcare program. Visit dhs.pa.gov for information and application for Pre-K qualifications. Our associate head of school, Lisa Gamble can explain flexible in greater detail. |
What Parents Say About Friends School :
"I love how learning takes place in so many different ways at Friends School - in every grade. Teachers have an amazing ability to identify the strengths of each child and to help them polish and shine those nuggets of ability. But in the most creative ways, they also help children to grow confidently and stretch their abilities that are still developing. It's like beautiful magic!"
"One of the things we love about Friends School is the way every child is known deeply. We know our children are loved and cared for by teachers and staff and that's really important to us. We know they'll have the academic experience they need but the sense of belonging and community we find at Friends is really unique."
" . . . I am so delighted with the integration of spirituality, mind/body wellness into the curriculum. I’m also always impressed by how the school integrates learning about others’ cultures and traditions throughout their lessons. Walking into Friends School feels like receiving a big hug . . . It is a warm, loving, educationally enriching environment where quite literally all are welcome."
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IRS notice for 501 C3 non-profit organizations: State College Friends School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
