ABOUT FRIENDS SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE

Friends School of Baltimore is a private, Quaker school that is deeply committed to helping young people discover and become the person they are meant to be. As Baltimore’s oldest school, Friends has pioneered innovative teaching and learning in, of, and for Baltimore since 1784. A Friends School education equips young people with the knowledge and confidence they need to become courageous changemakers wherever their path leads.

Educational Philosophy

Friends School seeks to live the conviction that there is that of God in each person. At Friends, we work together to build and sustain a community that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive of all people; we value diversity and cherish differences. Dedication to simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship permeates every aspect of Friends School life. Regular Meeting for Worship strengthens and deepens our commitment to these Quaker testimonies. Active practice of these principles nurtures empathy and fosters a sense of responsibility to the needs of others. Structured opportunities for service help students live the Quaker testimonies at school and in the broader community

Unique School Characteristics

Friends School of Baltimore is a Quaker school. Quaker schools provide a socially responsible and challenging education, fostering the ideals of community, spirituality, responsibility, and stewardship. Friends School has built a community and culture that champions courageous changemakers. Our students challenge the status quo and put their voices to work in the classroom, in Baltimore, and beyond. A joyful and purpose-filled education at Friends School means that a student’s journey doesn’t have a finish line; just milestones in a lifetime of curiosity and discovery.

School Traditions

At Friends School, Scarlet and Gray Day is one of the hallmark school traditions.The School, Athletic Department, Parents Association and Alumni Office all come together to provide a great day for the whole Friends Community. The day prior to Scarlet and Gray Day is a pep rally, featuring the sounds of the Morgan State Marching Band who help Quaker Nation get fired up and ready to cheer on our teams at Scarlet and Gray Day.

Campus and Facilities

Friends is located on a 35-acre wooded campus at 5114 North Charles Street in the city’s Homeland community. Students in Lower School (Pre-K-Pre-1st), Lower School (1-5), Middle School (6-8) and Upper School (9-12) attend classes in separate academic buildings within the same campus, with dedicated Libraries and MakerSpaces in each division. The School in 2016 completed a $9 million renovation to create a Performing and Visual Arts Center, and we replaced our athletic turf fields with the next generation of high-quality artificial surface.

Class Offerings

A solid academic foundation is the starting point for deeper inquiry at every grade level, with cross-discipline, project-based learning introduced during Lower School.

Research begins in Pre-K where students make use of iPads and helpful apps to research their peers questions about objects and events shared during Show and Tell.
During Genius Time, 3rd and 4th graders research a topic of their choice and then demonstrate their knowledge through a variety of service projects.
Fifth graders employ a design thinking approach to create marketable concepts and products during the Inventor’s Unit.
Middle School classes build on this work with cross-discipline teaching teams that guide students through research-driven project-based lessons. Highlights include the 6th grade Create a Culture unit and the 8th Grade Documentary Project.
Upper School students take advantage of the School’s successful University Partnership Program (UPP), elective courses that connect students with thought-leaders in medicine, research and higher education to apply skills learned in the classroom to real-life investigations.
Upper Schoolers may also explore an area of academic interest in ways that extend beyond the traditional course of study through the Extradisciplinary Certificate Program (ECP), which allows students to “bundle” different learning experiences within one of seven areas of interest, including STEAM, Sustainability and Global Studies.

Extracurriculars

Students in each division take advantage of after-school clubs and sports. Friends offers 21 different Middle School, J.V. and Varsity athletics teams, competing in the IAAM and MIAA Conferences, with instructional clubs, such as junior joggers, offered for Lower Schoolers. Clubs and service are an integral part of the Friends School experience.

Upper Schoolers may choose from more than 60 clubs, ranging from the arts, language and culture to service-based organizations, yearbook, student newspaper, and even the Dr. Who Appreciation Club.

Middle School students may choose from 16 clubs, with such options as dance, frisbee, yearbook and cartooning.

Lower School students may explore after-school Destination Imagination, rock band, dance and French- and Russian for Fun.

What would prospective parents and students be surprised to know about your school?

That someplace so caring and joyful can be so challenging!

ADMISSIONS INFO

How can families find out more about your school?

Families are invited to browse our Visit Friends webpage at: https://www.friendsbalt.org/admission/visit-friends which has information about our virtual open house events and virtual tour.

Admissions Process

We encourage all families to begin the admissions process by virtually visiting us this year. We also invite families to view our “Application Process” video.

Important Dates

December 15 – Applications Due (Applications received after December 15, 2020 will be considered if there is space in the grade to which the student is applying.)

February 19 – Applicants who have completed all the steps of the admission process will be notified on or after February 19, 2021.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

CONTACT INFORMATION

Amy Mortimer '87
Senior Associate Director of Admission
amortimer@friendsbalt.org
410-649-3211

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Friends School of Baltimore

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