Who We Are » What is a Friends school?

What is a Friends school?

State College Friends School is one of over 70 Friends schools around the country. Our school gets its name from the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. William Penn, who founded the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, also established the first Friends school in Philadelphia in 1689 to serve children of all races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Based on the Quaker belief that every person has an inner Light, or a fundamental goodness, the first Friends schools were designed to be inclusive learning communities that prepared students to become active citizens engaged in shaping a more peaceful and just society. 


Today, SCFS and other Friends schools still hold these same values, and the testimonies of equality, community, and peacebuilding influence all aspects of school life. The belief that each student has their own unique inner Light shapes teachers’ approach to designing curriculum activities, building a safe and engaging classroom community, and supporting each student in identifying their strengths, interests, and passions and pushing towards their growing edges. Friends schools are committed not only to individualizing the academic experience, but also nurturing each students’ development as a whole person by supporting their social, emotional, and spiritual growth.


The Quaker testimony of equality influences many Friends schools’ focus developing progressive curriculum and building diverse, inclusive, and just communities. SCFS is committed to fostering a strong sense of community among teachers, staff, families, and students, working together toward the long-term success of each child. Quakers form a minority of the student body at most Friends schools, and families of all faith traditions and non-theistic worldviews are welcome.  Many Friends schools also uphold the tradition of Quaker social witness and activism by creating opportunities for students to engage in direct service and advocacy to affect positive changes in their communities.


SCFS is a member of the Friends Council on Education (FCE), a nonprofit whose mission is to “nurture the Quaker life of schools, strengthen the network of support across [Friends] schools, [and] promote Friends education” across the United States.  Visit the FCE website to learn more about the ways in which the tenets of Quakerism shape Friends schools’ approach to education.