Friends Western School

524 E ORANGE GROVE BLVD

Pasadena, CA 91104

56 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-5
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 15, 2020

No school is perfect. But at this school, you as a parent have a say and you can make it better. The classes are extremely small. The environment is extremely loving. The academics are extremely interesting (in 1st grade my child got a real curriculum in science and social studies). If you're looking for a place where your child's mind and creativity can grow, and where they can learn to be a great citizen who cares about social justice, and where science and history and art are given equal importance to language arts and math, then this might be the school for you.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2019

Our experience has been amazing. The care that our child experiences at Friends Western is beyond compare. Our child looks forward to school and school related activities, and the academics are strong and keep my child challenged and interested in learning. We toured many (many!) schools, and are certain we chose the right school for our child.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2019

Our daughter started Friends Western for kindergarten and we love it. The community is warm and welcoming for both parents and students. It sounds like there might have been some ups and downs in terms of figuring out the best staffing structure and procedures before we enrolled (which seems normal for any community led cooperative organization), but they have come through it and developed a strong system. The new head of school is warm, professional, and comes from a strong administrative and teaching background. There is a teacher coordinator who also teaches K-1, and we love her. There seems to be a good mix of freedom and boundaries that the kids respond to. And the best part has to be the maturity and compassion I see in the older kids. It is such a comforting feeling knowing that our kid is in an environment that values kindness. Children with varying abilities are included and respected by the entire student body. Our daughter is enthusiastic about the curriculum. She is able to read to us after only a couple of months and loves the math and science units. The current crop of parents work so hard. We love Friends Western!
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2018

We've had two kids go through this school, and both loved it. Academically it teaches to state standards, but it balances that with outdoor time (monthly hikes, camping trips), theater, art, music, and community building. Also, the micro school size, and small class size (fewer than 15 kids in a classroom) allow for individualized learning. My kids tell me that every child at the school is their friend. Truly a hidden gem.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2018

Now in our 4th year at FWS and still so glad we found it. There have been great developments since we started, and we loved it then too! For example, our excellent Dean of Students, Leilani, brings a cohesiveness to the student body, while heading up the Drama Dept., whose annual production manages to involve every child in a way that suits his/her desires/abilities. Our teachers collaborate towards curricula that include both academics and outdoor & physical education - through all of which runs the thread of social/emotional development, something I am very thankful for. I love seeing the project-based learning in action -- from a student-run on-campus catering company, to enriching field trips & hikes, to a garden planted by students that provides greens for a class pet! I also love the community of parents, which is great, as we need to work together on all aspects of the school. The cooperative aspect can be a lot of work, but I find it to be such important and rewarding work that it proves worthwhile. While FWS, as any school, is not for everyone, to our family, it is nothing less than a beautiful, magical community that has provided a nurturing, stimulating home for my child to blossom and grow up strong in so many ways. I'm afraid we won't find anything close when it is time to search for middle school!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2018

I love the "micro-school" aspect of FWS. It allows for such a deep relationship between the teachers and kids,and between the teachers themselves - who know each and every student on campus. This environment encourages inter-age friendships and a really strong sense of community. Both of my kids absolutely love going to school every day
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2017

Thought it was progressive, but it is more of a small religious school. It is run by a few parents who may be well meaning, but they don't know what a progressive school should be. The demographic chart above isn't correct. It is almost 100% white kids, and maybe a couple of Asian kids. As others have mentioned there is a bit of nepotism with board members. You are expected to work on committees that will be more time than expressed in orientation. Some kids seem happy, some seem very unhappy. Parents almost all hide the unhappiness because they don't know where else to go.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2017

FWS offers smaller classrooms, individualized educational goals, and family engagement beyond our expectations. The teachers and families at FWS work together to meet our children's academic and social/emotional goals. As a former public school teacher and parent(s) we feel fortunate to have found a place where our children are respected for who they are and how they learn. The growth we have seen this year both emotionally and academically are immeasurable.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2016

Friends Western is a wonderful match for our family. Our daughter loves school and we are proud and excited to be members of a community of parents building a values-based environment for our children. We continue to marvel at the high adult-to-child ratio and focused attention to the children's needs throughout the day. Our daughter is thriving as a student and as a whole, well-cared-for growing person.When it comes to the volunteer hours, we find it important to pace ourselves and maintain a sense of humor. With those in hand, we relish being part of this unfolding, noble endeavor.
Submitted by other on January 20, 2016

It is a privilege to be a part of this community. Prior to FWS our son attended a nearby public school with high ratings on Great Schools. At that school we found the class sizes larger than claimed by the district. The homework for a 3rd grader was nearly unmanageable. We saw our son’s love of learning wane with each passing week. We were so fortunate to learn about Friends Western and made the transition last spring. Over the course of the year, our son is asking more challenging questions about the world around him. He is building his “toolkit” for how to go about answering those questions. These are habits of mind and skills that will he will carry with him a lifetime. Inquiry-based learning, one-on-one instruction, in a caring, nurturing environment where the Quaker values are not “taught” but lived by each staff member and cultivated in the children. It has not just been an education for our son, but for our entire family.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2016

This is our second year at Friends Western School, and we are so grateful to have found this little gem of a school where our 2 children love learning and are happy and thriving. We wanted a school where our children would get a lot of individual attention and care, and we found it here. The small class size is a tremendous advantage that doesn't exist anywhere else in LA. The teachers my children have had are talented and caring and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure our kids get exactly what they need. No school is perfect, including this one, but the advantages so outweigh the disadvantages that I need to give the full 5 stars.The teachers have innovative project-based programs that engage the students in many capacities. There are frequent school hikes and field trips that take advantage of the many learning opportunities in our area outside of school. High parent involvement means that the community truly feels like a family, especially to the children. My children are sad when the weekend or holidays come and they can't go to school.So what are the disadvantages? Well, anytime a group of parents get together to work on their children's education, there are going to be challenges. Passions run high, and people don't always agree on what is best (anyone who has ever been at a PTA meeting knows what I am talking about). As a democratically run co-op, the parents at Friends Western make all the decisions about the school's direction and how it is run, and it is inevitable that there will be some who don't agree with the majority. On the whole, though, I have found that this group of parents are easy to get along with and work tirelessly to provide the school they want for their children. One of the advantages to being a parent-run co-op is that anyone can propose a new program or policy directly to the whole group at any time. If it's something that appeals to the majority, then you can get it implemented right away. At any other school, public or private, this process would take a lot longer, if it happened at all.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2016

Don't judge a book by it's cover. FWS co-op is a diamond in the rough. This cozy little campus run by parents is filled with brilliant, engaged teachers and staff. We moved our son over to FWS in the 2nd grade because we saw that he was slipping through the cracks academically. His previous school had 28 kids with only one teacher in the classroom, which is simply unrealistic for any teacher to be all alone with kids that are still developing. We also wanted him to better understand accountability and conflict resolution. Again, its hard for one teacher with 28 kids to provide this. A large school has a larger staff to manage and it's hard to train everyone and have consistency when conflicts arise on the yard. We knew that our son didn't have a complete sense of control over his body and emotions. We wanted him to have strong mentors to guide him to make strong decisions and to have integrity with his actions. Well, we got exactly what we asked for. We are in a small mix, first and second grade classroom with 12 kids. We have a completely engaged, kind yet firm, loving teacher, who has time to attend to all the kids in the class. She also gets help from 2 aids who float between all 4 of the class rooms. When a conflict arises on the play yard, it's resolved with invaluable guidance from the staff. It's a combination of quaker philosophy and the children are held accountable. The parents know all the details of the incident and are able to get on the same page with the staff. There is art, yoga, PE, weekly club day, music and theatre. Every monday morning there is an all school meeting held in the Quaker house, where the community sits in silence for reflection time. Then a universal questions is asked; What do you do when your angry or sad? All the kids and adults get to share their stories. The staff then shares an offering of wisdom with productive ways to deal with anger and sadness. We have seen our sons confidence increase, he is engaged in school, he is doing his school work and is excited to go to school. He knows all the kids names in all grades and knows their parents names too. If you are flexible, a team player and a collaborator FWS co-op could be a nice fit for your family.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2016

We are grateful to have found FWS. We have two kids at the school and have been there almost four years. Though this is a Quaker school, most families are not Quaker. It means however, that the 6 Quaker values (including simplicity, peace and integrity) are part of the curriculum. The focus on academics and interpersonal skills at FWS is a unique combination -- one we searched for and felt lucky to find in FWS.The co-op means that the tuition is lower than another private school of this caliber. Because of that it means the school is dependent on all parents volunteering time every semester. Everyone (except teachers) who is running the school is a volunteer - giving their own time to try and help others and their children.On the academic side... I know that strong academics and a child's enthusiastic engagement can go hand in hand and be fun. We felt strongly about having a balance between academics and enriched experiences that you don't find at a lot of schools but we did at FWS. Both of my children LOVE their teachers and their teachers are deeply and personally dedicated to their learning. I could not be more impressed or happier with my childrens' teachers. On the interpersonal skill set side... The school focusses on developing communication, conflict resolution and leadership skills in the children. For example, teaching children the concept of community comes in school lessons but also through observation since the parents must come together due to the co-op nature. My six year-old daughter is already putting these skills into practice. With all that said, the small size and the co-op aspect will not allow you to have a say in every aspect of your child's day and schooling. The co-op depends on parent involvement as much as it depends on an acceptance and trust in a Quaker process which encourages open dialog and collective decision making. So... If you have an idea or an issue, it may or may not be embraced by the other members of the co-op. This process can be a rewarding experience that allows parents to grow along side their kids if they are open to it. Though we can't 100% be on the same page, I have never seen such a dedicated group of parents.If education, community and life skills are qualities you are looking for, I recommend you come to an open house.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2016

My daughter is in third grade at FWS and has been attending for two years. Her class consists of (14) children and an amazing teacher, as well as two teacher's aides that float between our school's (4) classrooms. She is happy, thriving and challenged. The teachers really see each child and because of the small class size they are able to pay close attention to any needs your child may have. Her teacher and I are able to text each other during the day if anything arises, and I really love that. Several times during the day her teacher will take all the kids to the gym to get their wiggles out and play a game or two, then it's back to class. The kids have organized a catering business in their class and have learned about design, marketing, production, quality control and basic money management. There are weekly clubs, yoga, music and monthly hikes. It is a Quaker school that teaches mindfulness and awareness, not religion. We love it!
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2015

We switched our kids to Friends Western last year. Our kids had been going to a good public school, but my son was miserable. Every year was worse. Had he stayed at the school, he would have been the 39th kid in his fourth grade class. Instead, he's the 11th kid in a 4th/5th class. Friends Western has been TRANSFORMATIVE for him. He went from hating school to loving school. Here are some concrete things that have made a difference for us: CLASS SIZE. Even private schools that cost twice as much can't match the class size at Friends Western. There are no more than 14 kids in a classroom, and often fewer. PLUS teacher's aides. It means teachers can focus on every child, helping those that are struggling as well as those that are ready to move ahead. SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL The kids are really nice to each other here, in large part because during playground time there is a wonderful instructor helping them negotiate conflict. Plus, the teachers take time in the classes to work on social emotional development. MOVEMENT The kids spend less time sitting at desks, and more time engaging with the world. This includes: monthly hikes, weekly walks to the local library, weekly theater and yoga classes, weekly park day where kids do sports for every kind of kid (even Quidditch). LESS HOMEWORK Our last school started homework in kindergarten. It was tedious stuff, and it didn't work. Despite years of spelling homework, my son is a terrible speller. Friends Western has no homework until third grade, and then it's really interesting. QUAKER VALUES This is NOT a religious school. But the Quaker values help provide a sort of moral compass for the school. This is a co-op, and therefore not for everyone. But if you are looking for something truly different for your kids, then come check out this wonderful little school.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2015

We are new parents to FWS this year with a son in K and a daughter in 3rd grade. The school is a co-op and can be hard work but the payoff is incredibly happy kids. Our son had a few tough experiences in his short life and always complained about be separated from the family, he didn’t like pre-school he even complained about going to summer camps. He’s a happy little guy now. Loves going to school, loves his teacher and new friends. The variety in the weekly schedule keeps our son engaged: theater, music, yoga, clubs, trips to the local park, monthly hikes and field trips. The small class size (8) mean he gets lots of attention and he is developing a love of learning and is excited about the world around him. Our daughter is very bright and loves to learn but got bored at her well regarded public school last year as they “taught to the test” and extracurricular activities were limited. She is challenged and energized by FWS. The school won’t be for everyone. But if you are even slightly intrigued my advice is to attend an open house and ask lots of questions.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2015

This unique little school has been fantastic for our family. I have one of those hard-to-fit "orchid children" (intellectually advanced, emotionally volatile, and very sensitive in social environments that are not a good fit). This is the first school we have found where our child thrives, and I think it's because of a few of the things that make FWS so special: small classes, a small school, a warm social environment in which kids interact creatively across different ages and parents/siblings are often integrated into the life of the school. As far as academics go, my child is young and very self-motivated, so we wanted a school that would be more about lighting a fire than filling a pail. FWS definitely fits the bill. For parents: the co-op structure is a big deal and not for everyone, but if it's for you you will know. It is a ton of work, but it means that you will get as much of an education as your child will from the school.
Submitted by other on June 27, 2014

I am a recent graduate of Friends Western School and I would have to say the experience so far has been out of this world. On the last day of school, we had an epic dance party and when it was time to leave, I COULDN'T STOP crying because I was going to miss my friends so much and the amazing people I met there. The small class sizes were excellent for children who needed more attention and the teachers were able to teach everyone who were all at different levels. Everyone was so kind and it was a surprising considering at the beginning of my time at FWS, I was the only girl Again, I just had the most amazing experience at Friends Western School and now that I'm moving on to a middle school, Westridge school for girls, I know what I have learned at FWS will further me in my career and I will always remember Friends Western School.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2014

Great school for parents who like to be involved and participate in their child's school experience. Coming from a highly sought after charter school, we are grateful to find a real school experience for our child. Great fieldtrips, small class sizes, and a community feel.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

FWS is a school where kids are respected and treated as individuals. In that kind of environment they thrive as learners and as friends. The classes are small enough that the children can be known for who they are, they can learn at their own pace without judgement, and they treat each other with immense kindness. My daughter loves to come to school here.