Lower and Middle School Open Houses draw crowds to FA

The morning couldn't have been better.

With blue skies above and red, white, and black balloons flying atop vibrant-colored check-in tables, student ambassadors, the Friends Academy Admissions office, and administrators stood ready to greet attending prospective families at this week's Lower and Middle School Open Houses.

Held in the Kumar Wang Library, 175 people overflowed into the bright, white chairs set up on the main floor over the two days. To the side, tables displaying an assortment of brochures for Arts, Athletics, and new Viewbooks for each division awaited participants. 

As families took their seats, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid Taisha Thompson welcomed them into the space and program. "Our students are not only curious, but they engage with the entire world," remarked Ms. Thompson. "Our educators are teaching them how to be leaders," she shared with Lower School parents. "They are practicing and honing those skills, so that by the time they transition to Middle School, they are ready to soar," she said.

Head of School Paul J. Stellato started with a story of FA alumni who have reached the golden years of their lives. "This past Saturday, the classes of 1964 and 1974 gathered at our Quaker Meeting House in reunion at our Fall Fair. They have been leaders in their fields. What did they choose to remember? ... their moral, ethical, and spiritual education," he shared. "To raise an ethical, moral, and spiritual child is your challenge in a world that places less value than it should on these things," he urged. "What you have in front of you at this moment is a school that will embrace and nourish your entire child – raise them up and pick them up when they stumble."

Principals Christine Saunders (Middle School) and Alfred (Rik) F. Dugan III (Interim, Lower School) offered visiting families a peek into their programs – and a prognostication. "There are three things that are important to me about our program," started Ms. Saunders. "First, within our culture of leadership, all of our middle schoolers are expected to lead – sometimes out front and sometimes alongside others. Second, our academic excellence – our students lead through both inquiry and reflection. And third, the level of collaboration and team projects we thread through the Middle School."

"I encourage you to check for throughlines," offered Mr. Dugan. "Look into people's eyes, hear them speak and ask – what is resonating for you. Between my wife and I, we have been involved in 10 different schools and Friends Academy is unique. You will recognize that every school has a mission, but because we are guided by the Quaker values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equity, Stewardship, and Service, these become the blueprint for the youngest among us to become the best person that they can be."

Early Childhood Director and Little Friends Director Abby Cook-Gonzalez, Director of Arts Andrew Geha, and Interim Director of Athletics Matt Johnsen enriched the conversation as they mentioned a host of programming unique to Friends Academy, including emergent curriculum that flows from the curiosities of Early Childhood students; aerial silks, African dance, and ballroom dancing, musical instruction on the Huilusi and ukulele, a brand-new Middle School Improv Group; fifth- and sixth-grade athletics, as well as the only private middle school that competes in the prestigious public school athletic league. "Ten percent of our student-athletes go on to play at college," stated Mr. Johnsen, topping the national average of 7%. "There's only one Ivy League school right now that does not have an FA student on one of their rosters," he added.

In the co-curricular of Arts, Mr. Geha stressed the skills that transcend the expected arts education. "Within music, dance, visual arts, and theater, our students are strengthening their mathematical, reading, and problem-solving muscles. They are learning how to view and process the world around them; and they are challenging themselves and learning self-reliance in the process," he said.

During both Open Houses, the main event culminated with panels of multi-aged students and teachers, who offered an unfiltered look into the FA educational experience. In Middle School, Ava discovered the true meaning of leadership. "I love taking charge of things. I used to think as a leader that it's only one person's idea. But when you are working in a group, you have to compromise, expand your thinking, and understand other people's ideas," she said. "It's not all about one person's idea – it's about community."

For Jaia, who is taking Honors Geometry as an 8th grader, the opportunity to have her academic program meet her at her level has been transformative. "In 7th grade, the math curriculum was a little too easy for me. In order to advance, I had to take the 7th grade final and do well on it." For schoolmate Andrew, it was the "ability to do the kind of math that is usually not available at other schools," which stood out for him.

Student-led conferences, a hallmark of the Middle School academic arc appealed to Henry. "These conferences all about you checking in with yourself; you have to be prepared and you have to be honest."

"You don't have to be a Quaker to attend our school," shared third grade teacher Nikita Desai. "But, reflection is a really big part of our of academic program." For fellow Lower School Kindergarten teacher Liz Servino, what sets Friends Academy apart from other places "is our values-based education and how it meshes with our academic program. You become a part of us and there is so much opportunity for one-on-one teaching."

Middle School Math teacher Brie Kraska graduated from Friends Academy 30 years ago and even met her husband at FA. "I've been teaching here for 20 years. So what keeps me here and my family here? It is our strong sense of community and our commitment to the moral and character development of our students," she underscored. "How do we respectfully disagree?" posed 8th grade English teacher Adriana Bocchino. "The signature of an independent school education is how our students model vulnerability and eloquence."

Nearing the end of her Friends Academy career, Jhanvi Gambhir, who entered Friends in Kindergarten ended the panel on this note. "What I have appreciated the most is how tight-knit this place is. Sometimes I am at lunch and see Mrs. Weinstein, who was my Kindergarten teacher 13 years ago, or Mrs. Desai, who was my third-grade teacher and I remember and know how much your voice matters – how much you matter," she said. "This school helps build your character and your confidence; it helps you learn about who you are so that you can be confident about who you can become."

Photography by Alvin Caal/Friends Academy