Friends Academy

270 Duck Pond Road

Locust Valley, NY 11560

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on October 06, 2023

I was a faculty member here for many years, and thought I would spend my entire career here. The insane amount of spending on administrative salaries and other perks -- homes for administrators, for example, and not just the Head of School-- and a move away from real Quaker testimonies, like legitimate community service projects, has driven many "true believer" faculty members out of the school in recent years. One administrator's friends are put in positions they have no business being in on a regular basis. Students learn to make sandwiches and paint rocks here as their service work, and there is zero discipline here -- in great part because of the nepotism that leads to unqualified people in many jobs. Lots of students with learning differences also not being served, so not much learning really goes on here anymore, either.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2023

Friends Academy completely prepared my children not only for college, but for the real world. Both children started Friends Academy in Lower School and then went on through upper school. This community teaches strong core values with an emphasis on compassion and kindness. The academics are strong and the teachers are top notch. The educators in allthree divisions (lower, middle, and upper) really know each child and teach to their strengths and challenges. The athletic coaches are also amazing. I could not have asked for a better school for my children. Strong academic rigor, prepares for college and beyond, supportive, caring warm and welcoming community.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2021

Sending our daughter to Friends Academy was the best decision we ever made. It has a very strong curriculum and creates a wonderful environment for learning. We love the sense of community we feel at Friends and have embraced the Quaker values. When the school closed last year due to COVID-19, Friends Academy immediately began virtual classes. I had the pleasure of listening in on some of my daughter’s classes and was so impressed. We have always appreciated our teachers, but they have gone above and beyond during this difficult time. We feel so grateful to be part of this community.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2021

Friends Academy has been our school and social community for 9 years and gets better each year. We are so happy to send our three children to an institution that values the partnership between parent and school to educate a child.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2021

My son graduated after a very successful 6 years from Friends Academy. His college process was seamless and very professional. The college office at FA did all they could to support him. He was given the opportunity during his 6 years to participate in sports, theater, and Trivia club. My daughter is currently matriculated in the school and they were on the ball as soon as school turned virtual in March, they did not skip a beat.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2020

The leadership at this school does not know how to address bullying nor do they effectively teach or model Quaker values.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2020

Thrilled not to be a attending Friends Academy anymore!
Submitted by other on May 28, 2020

Not the school it used to be. Glad to be done.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2019

I have never experienced a community like Friends Academy before and my children have definitely prospered. And I am so grateful that when there have been bumps in the road (as there always are) that they have had the adults and students in this community to help them through it. I look at my children, who are as confident as they can be, excited to go to school (and I mean excited) and developing into kind, compassionate, sensitive young people who throw their full selves into their classes and love learning so much that often it makes it into our dinner table conversation.
Submitted by other on June 16, 2018

I could not wait to get out of here.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2018

We do not see Quaker values here. My daughter is a senior. My son will attend a different school. As a Jewish family we have been made uncomfortable by the atmosphere here.
Submitted by other on October 03, 2017

My two daughters graduated from Friends Academy and they were so well prepared for college, at times they felt college was easy and not challenging enough...both have strong writing and communication skills, as well as kind souls, aware of kindness and service to others
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2016

I have a daughter currently enrolled in the lower school at Friends Academy and another daughter I plan on applying for the 3's program. My older daughter has been at Friends for 5 years now and I have never had an issue with any of the teachers, principal or school. She's been incredibly happy at FA and loves her class. The school has created a very balanced program as they do not only focus on academic/intellectual development, but also on social and emotional growth. The Quaker values, of which I knew very little about when we first became members of the school, align with our family values. I love the partnership I have with Friends in raising my daughter. Over the past few years, she has really blossomed as an independent learner and I have been quite pleased with her progress. I attribute her academic successes to the amazing faculty, strong program, and warm environment. My husband and I agree that this is one of the best decisions we made for our child and we look forward to having our youngest join the Friends Academy community.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2016

My two children have thrived at Friends. The teaching staff is nurturing and accessible. The lower school strives to adequately balance the childrens' needs for work and play. I admittedly did not know much about Quaker values when we started. We are working those principles into our lives and my children are much better for it. You will not find a more polite, respectful group of kids. All my interactions with the lower school principal have been positive. I have no issues with her work ethic or her treatment of the student body. She is fair and balanced in my opinion.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2016

The school has made a turn for the worst since the hiring of the new Lower school principal. The school keeps deleting my review. The lower school principal is disconnected to the values and testimonies of a Quaker school. The principal is unable to address everyone in a professional manner, is unable to use fair and appropriate discipline when needed. Has no vision for the school, has no plan to address the academic achievement of the students, does not visit the classroom or the playground, and fails to address students and parent that she see along the way, is arrogant and downright rude. Why become a principle if you hate people? The principal shows favoritism. It is obvious that certain teachers/parents have the ear of the principal,she has poor communication skills, and obviously hates her job. I hope she makes the sacrifice and give in her due resignation.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2015

Friends is just an "OK" school. Academics are not fantastic and the kids (and parents) are kind of clique-y. The diversity seems forced and not real. Pretty on the outside; not so pretty on the inside.