State College Friends School

While our son has done well in school, he hasn't always enjoyed it. At SCFS he thrives! Everyday when he comes home from school and I ask him how his day was, he responds with an enthusiastic "GREAT!". And while he is excelling in math, reading, and Spanish, he is also learning how to be a lifelong learner. His interest and curiosity is sparked as he deeply engages with materials. He is part of such a wonderful community and we couldn't have asked for more!

State College Friends School is amazing. The teachers are so dedicated to their students, they know them as individuals and students are happy to be there. The school does not overly focus on academics, though from what I have seen so far, they are doing a fantastic job of facilitating deep academic rigor, meaningful learning, and social learning to help students be excellent communicators and collaborators in the world. I wish more schools would learn by example from the wonderful ways in which Friends School approach teaching and learning. My only complaint is that my young daughter complains and sometimes cries when it's time to leave school.

In addition to the regular 'reading, writing, arithmetic' Friends School provides an arts-rich learning environment and a place where peace-making is a formal part of the curriculum. This place nurtures my daughter: heart, soul, and mind. So glad she has found a school home here!

My children have thrived at Friends School! The academic program is strong, helping children to learn at their own pace, through interactive and hands-on opportunities, and recognizing their individual strengths and challenges. The curriculum and Quaker approach focuses on the whole child, to help them grow as students, family members, friends, and citizens. There is an explicit focus on peace-making, making good decisions, and accountability. The school supports a community of families through regular gatherings and opportunities to volunteer. I highly recommend State College Friends School!!

I believe "it takes a village to raise a child," and I am grateful to call the State College Friends School my village. This small school really is like a second home to my family. My daughters, who are in kindergarten and 2nd grade, are thriving there. They are growing into confident, thoughtful, respectful people. They are cared for by teachers who truly love them and who give inordinate attention to their personal academic and emotional needs on a daily basis. Because the school is not bound to conduct state, federal, or local testing, the teachers have the flexibility to follow their students' interests (which makes learning fun!), all while guiding them through a curriculum that will lead them to great success when they move into public schools in the future. Rather than merely exposing them to subject matter and hurrying on to the next topic, the teachers take the students deeply into learning. They have the time and the freedom to do this and the result is a much more enriching experience for students that is more likely to stick with them permanently. In sum, I could not be happier with the State College Friends School!

My son is a 1st grader at Friends. When we were getting ready for kindergarten, we could not foresee how good an experience "school" would be for our whole family.The Friends school sets itself apart through character development of the whole child - helping each one of them be the best person they can be. I have been impressed at how well children as young as 5 and 6 can incorporate the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship in their lives.Studies are deep and engaging and work well for many different learning styles. Small class sizes and smart scheduling help the teachers reasonably customize lessons for individual students as needed - for extra help or extra challenge. Afternoon "specials" are very diverse and include cross-generational reading "buddies" with our neighboring retirement community, yoga, spanish, music, art, PE, and visits to the school library all starting in Kindergarten.I can't endorse this school highly enough, it has become central to my family's community in State College, PA.

Wonderful school. Emphasis on the individual student as a learner. Teachers and staff are extremely dedicated and knowledgeable. Classrooms are academically engaging, and physical activity/play are stressed.