State College Friends School

I went here from kindergarten to maybe mid way through third grade and then I had to move across the country. I’m currently a sophomore in high school at bigfork in Montana. This school was an amazing experience and I missed it ever since I left. It really set me up with an incredible skill set that I was able to carry into all of the other schools I’ve been to. It was so safe, fun, affective, and I really took a lot of things away from here. Sometimes I really do miss it even though I heard it took a change for the worst during Covid.

My son just finished first grade at the Friends School and we couldn't be happier with this school. We chose this school in part because we were new to State College after my son's Kindergarten year and we wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible. The classes are small and the amazing teachers and staff take the time to support and get to know every student. The students spend lots of time outside and every class is its own supportive community. The teachers do an excellent job meeting the students where they are, whether they are ahead of or behind the curve, or somewhere in the middle.

The State College Friends School has the childhood education that anyone would love. The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff are all so kind and caring, and the curriculum is perfectly paced. I met my main friends in 4th grade, and as I just finished my first year of University at Penn State, we are all 5 still best friends to this day. As I approached high school it was a bit nerve racking getting used to a larger school, but I had my lifelong friends by my side for the whole journey. Friends School is a core memory that I will take with me for the rest of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. (K-8th grade alumni)

Every single classroom in Friends School is a safe, welcoming and inclusive space. I have taught in many schools, and have always thought this is where I would want my own children. Now I have my children in Friends School and could not be happier with their social and academic experiences there. There are many schools is our area striving to achieve goals that have been long established realities at Friends School. They are far beyond the curve in what truly matters for the long term cognitive and emotional development of children. I would encourage anyone interested to visit, even if you are not sure it is a possibility. Your family will be met with compassion and curiosity by the wonderful folks at Friends School.

Our two boys love it here; the teachers & staff are fantastic, the classes are small, and we love the sense of community.