What is Quaker Education?

The values-centered environment and character of a Friends school comes directly from the faith and practice of Quakerism. Quakers teach tolerance of and respect for all faiths, and Friends schools are open to children of all religious backgrounds.

A Quaker education is based on the values of simplicity, integrity, harmony, peace and equality, and a belief in "that of God" in each person. These values guide the actions and decisions of the faculty, students, and Board of Directors at Friends School of Portland. We combine academic excellence with a commitment to developing each person's self-worth, tolerance and respect for others, and a commitment to service to their community and wider world.

Do all students come from Quaker families?

No. The reality is that only a small fraction of students at Friends schools are Quaker. While our school is rooted in Quaker values, we do not teach specific religious beliefs. Friends School of Portland embraces students from all religious and cultural backgrounds and traditions.

Why send your child to Friends School of Portland?

We believe that a small learning community dedicated to living positive values openly and consciously is the best educational environment for children. In a consumer society where speed, material wealth and outer appearances seem to matter most, we offer time for reflection, simplicity and careful use of resources, and a continual search for the truth.

We look for each child's natural gifts and help the child develop the intellectual, social, and emotional skills to meet life's challenges. We provide a high standard of academic learning, a small student/teacher ratio that allows for appropriate individualization, multi-age groupings, community service, and a chance for parents to be involved in the school community. These values have been hallmarks of Friends schools for over 200 years.

For more information, visit the Our Mission & Quaker Values page.

Do you accept students with IEPs/special needs?

As part of our commitment to diversity, we seek students with a variety of learning styles and strengths. Some children with learning or other needs will succeed in small classes with close attention from teachers and minor modifications in program or environment. Some will need more than that. We assess the special learning needs of individual applicants on a case-by-case basis by reviewing all testing, evaluations and IEPs.

For some children, limited outside help may be enough for them to succeed within the school. For other children, another school or program may be the best solution. In all cases, we will weigh the needs of the individual child with the needs of the other students in the school to make the best decision for both.

How old must my child be for your preschool program?

To be eligible for our admission to our preschool program, children must be 3 years old by Labor Day. Our program requires students to be able to stay with a group on outdoor excursions, follow basic directions, and listen to a story with other children. Independent toileting is also a requirement for all children entering our preschool program.

How and when can I apply for admission?

Admission events begin in October each year and our priority applications are due in January. After that date we accept applications on a space-available basis only.

When can my child visit?

Before an individual visit, we require a completion of the application form, personal statement and related materials (including teacher reference, transcripts, and any testing/reports). Once an application is complete, it will be reviewed by our Admissions Committee. The Committee will decide whether to invite the applicant for a classroom visit, which is the next step in the application process. We have found it works best to get to know an applicant on paper before meeting him/her in person. Prospective students are always welcome to attend our Open Houses, held each year in October and January.

When are admissions decisions made?

Our first round of admissions decisions for the 2024-25 school year will be made on Friday, March 8. Letters will be mailed to families early the following week with the request that enrollment agreements and deposits be returned to us within two weeks. Applications received after our priority deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis, with admissions decisions generally being communicated within two weeks of a student’s visit.