Upper School Open House – Graduating students with purpose and hope

"Many years ago, I was an 8th grader wondering where I would end up in high school," began Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid Taisha Thompson. "I did not know then that my choice to go to a Quaker independent school would be as life-changing as it was," she stated looking out onto crowds of potential new Upper School families as she kicked off the final Friends Academy Open House of the 2024-25 season.

Over the course of three mornings, Friends Academy welcomed 325 guests onto its campus to tour classrooms and facilities, listen to school leadership, and hear directly from students and faculty in each division about what the promise of an FA education can hold.

"When we send our graduates out into the world, we will send them with a skillset that many students won't have," said Mrs. Thompson, before introducing Head of School Paul Stellato, Upper School Principal Mark Schoeffel, Director of College Counseling Edward Dugger, Director of Arts Andrew Geha, Director of Athletics Matt Johnsen, and the senior student panel (Morgan Washington, Ved Rawat, Jhanvi Gambhir, CC Saad, Andy Mccartan, and Max Katovitz) to share the transformational range of experiences open to all students.

"Our being a Pre-K through 12 school is important for everyone on our campus and it really does draw out everyone who is involved. Taking care of others is what we think about all the time," shared Mr. Stellato. "Your kids are more than their grades and their test scores, and where they go to college. Part of who they become depends on the opportunities afforded to them. Our school is large enough that we can challenge the public schools twice our size and allow students to explore their individual needs and individual passions," he said.

"Almost any kid can get a 5 on an AP test... but how many kids can go out into the world with a sense of their moral purpose and know that 'I am something larger than myself and I have a duty to the people around me.' That is what is different here – the commitment of this school for almost 150 years to nourish the spiritual, moral, and ethical lives of our students."

The draw of a Friends Academy education is also rooted in principles of equality and equity. "We offer something for everyone in the Arts at Friends Academy," said Mr. Geha, who in addition to describing the plethora of arts classes, including ballroom dancing and aerial silks, digital animation, and stagecraft, pointed out the intrinsic skills that students learn while in the company of arts. "We have alumni who work in the arts area, but also in neuroscience and business, and those alums come back and talk about how their arts experiences have and are helping them in their current careers."

Skills follow values explains senior Jhanvi Gambhir. "One thing FA does really well is indirectly teaching us about these amazing and critical values so that we can become global citizens. I came in Kindergarten and learning about these big words and terms, like doing the right thing when no one is looking – these are things that have guided the classes I've taken and the relationships I've had here. We truly become better individuals to help the people around us," mused Jhanvi.

Athletics was the vehicle that helped CC Saad '25, captain of the Field Hockey team and co-clerk of WATCH (We Are The Community Helpers) transition from The Green Vale School to Friends Academy. "Joining the Field Hockey team is where I first found FA community," she said. "On my first day of practice, I must have missed an email, because I didn't know where the Field House was. I happened to see a senior who I remembered from Green Vale and worked up the courage to ask her directions. She took the time to lead me all the way to the Girls Locker Room. It was a small thing, but one I won't ever forget." For Andy Mccartan '25, who attended East Woods School prior to Friends, all his worries slipped away after joining the JV Soccer team. "I've learned that it's more than teamwork – it's about compassion."

Friends Academy athletics are embedded and intertwined throughout. Many of the Varsity and JV coaches are also teachers who, through their time with student-athletes in the classroom, understand the fullness of each athlete on the field, track, or court. "You will hear about the academic excellence in our classrooms and it is my job to match that excellence in Athletics," said Mr. Johnsen about FA, one of three non-public schools to compete in Long Island's public school league. Because of this, Friends students enjoy a school-life balance that is not always afforded to other non-public school league independent schools.

In the Upper School, 84% of students play at least one sport; most of those play two. And college recruitment exceeds the national average by three percent to top out at 10%. "We are well represented in NCAA athletics," remarked Mr. Johnsen. "Currently, there's only one Ivy League that does not have a Friends Academy athlete somewhere... and we are going to get someone to Harvard soon," he promised.

Twenty-eight years is the current culmination of Mr. Dugger's career at Friends Academy. "College Counseling at Friends Academy is very different," he explained. "We are the only Quaker school of its kind on Long Island and because of this we send out graduates filled with purpose and hope who are ready to engage in their next community. But what does this mean? It means that you rise to become a protagonist," he said. "When Quakerism informs everything you do every day, you are going to rise up," he stated, motioning to the student panel behind him. "If you work with the UN over the summer on women's issues, maybe it means you start a summer financial literacy program for students who live far from FA. Maybe you participate in a prison advocacy program; maybe it means you are going to be an expert on Roman history," he added. 

For Andy, the Upper School's course selection directly informed and impacted his college process. "I took Financial Literacy as a junior with our CFO," he said of Director of Finance, Operations, and Strategic Projects Ann Marie Tidona. "That class sparked something in me and I based all of my senior courses on that class," Andy added. "It taught me real-life skills and it's what I now want to do in college." For Ved Rawat '25, a four-year FA student who is also captain of the Tennis team and co-clerk of Student Faculty Board, the guidance of both faculty and the College Office helped him pinpoint his college major and potential career. "I've been a science research student in our DNA Barcoding classes and this year I am a TA with younger students here at FA who are working with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories," said Ved, who is looking to pursue public health.

Several students on the panel spoke about the benefit about taking advanced math and science classes at a younger age – Algebra 2 Trig in 9th grade, AP Bio and B/C Calc as juniors. "I took AP bio as a junior with Mrs. Newitt," said CC. "Not only was she an extremely kind teacher – she made us waffles when we had to come in early for labs – she had the most effective teaching method that I've encountered in my life."

Beyond academics, students on the panel spoke to the components of their Friends education that transcended classroom curriculum. "I joined the Diversity Committee when I was in 9th grade and we were treated on the same level as the seniors," said Morgan Washington '25, at FA since first grade who rose to become co-clerk in her final year. "I went to a Middle School in Suffolk County and I really didn't have a chance there," shared Ved. "When I came here, I got out of my shell and was able to do the things that I wanted to do, like finally being able to join student government.

"What makes Friends special is that it truly nurtures a beautiful soul and it teaches us to put others before yourself, and use your gifts for a greater good," said senior Max Katovitz, who is now in his 14th year at Friends Academy and is a leader with the Civil Discourse Club and a member of Jazz Band. "I've been here throughout all divisions and there's always different people who reinforce this message," he finished.

To apply to Friends Academy's Early Decision, families must submit their application by Dec. 15 with a notification by Jan. 15. For families who apply by the Regular Decision date of Jan. 15, notifications will be issued on Feb. 15. The financial aid deadline for all is Dec. 15. 

Photography by Alvin Caal/Friends Academy