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Building a Better Future for Humankind

Frankford Friends is a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just learning environment, welcoming students and families from all backgrounds and identities to our school. We best serve children who enthusiastically accept challenges, love to learn, and who positively contribute to the classroom and school community in a variety of ways.
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Welcome from our Coordinator of Admissions,
Sharon Oliver

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in Frankford Friends School. I am thrilled to share this amazing school with you. Selecting the right fit school for your child can be a daunting task, leaving many parents feeling overwhelmed with their options. As both an FFS employee and parent, I can give you a unique perspective as to why FFS may be the perfect fit for your child. I am here to help you navigate through the admissions process, from your initial inquiry through enrollment. I welcome you to take a look around and explore Frankford Friends School. Please get in touch to discuss your needs or schedule a visit today.

In friendship,
‍‍

2021-2022 Tuition

Pre-K - 1st Grade: $12,800
Grades 2-4: $12,000
Grade 5: $12,200
Grades 6-8: $12,400

Important Dates

September 1, 2020: Application Opens for the 2021-2022 Academic Year
‍
October 19, 2020: Tuition Assistance Application Opens for the 2021-2022 Academic Year

Admissions Deadlines

We are thrilled that you are interested in applying to Frankford Friends School!

‍September 1st Apply early! The 2025-26 school year application review process begins!

‍October 15th Tuition Assistance application opens. (PreK to 8th Grade)

‍December 15th Early decision notifications are sent for previously identified openings.

‍February 1 Regular decision notifications begin.

Apply⇢

A Day at FFS

7:55 am

Good morning!

Our school buses pull up to the gate on Orthodox St, transporting students to our campus from all over the Philadelphia area. Puppet in hand, Mrs. Cook greets each of the Lower School and Early Childhood students as they enter the building.

8:00 am

Morning Meeting

Morning Meetings in the lower school and early childhood classrooms prepare students to start their day. Middle schoolers build community, set meaningful goals, develop study habits, practice constructive communication, and prepare for a successful day each morning in Advisory.

8:30 am

Reading Buddies

Each week, students in 3rd and Kindergarten, 4th and 1st, and 2nd and Pre-K get together to read books aloud with a buddy from their partner class. This program is a school favorite and fosters an excitement for reading while building long-lasting relationships across grade levels.

9:00 am

IDEA Lab

In the IDEA Lab, eighth graders finished building their model bridges and testing their strength. The bridges are part of a full-year unit on water, where they study a local ecosystem while learning about sustainable design solutions, green infrastructure, technological advances, and human impacts on the environment.

9:30 am

Morning Recess

While Teacher Tara and a gaggle of Pre-K students observed a caterpillar eating a leaf, some other friends lined up for a game of “Red Light, Green Light.” Teacher Tuesday also brought out hula hoops and sidewalk chalk which was a huge hit with the other members of the class.

10:00 am

Strings Lesson

Learning a string instrument is one of the rites of passage at FFS. In 4th and 5th grade, students take small group lessons in violin, viola, or cello. In 6th through 8th grade, students can opt to take orchestra or jazz band as an elective. They practice twice weekly to better their individual skills and to experience making music together as a group.

11:00 am

Lunch

Walk through the halls of the lower school during lunch period and, over the din of the talking, you might hear a wacky question like, “does a platypus have toes?” leading to a spirited discussion and google search. After lunch, there’s a collective effort to clean up the classroom to get it back in shape for the afternoon.

11:30 am

Middle School Art

Middle school students in the Drawing and Printmaking elective spend the first half of the school year honing their drawing skills and practicing techniques. They then begin to focus on printmaking processes by starting with simple styrofoam radial block printing to create beautiful mandala inspired pieces.

12:00 pm

Project-Based Learning

Fourth grade has been discussing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and why these goals are so important in their work. After learning about the first five goals, students thought deeply about what the other twelve goals might be by discussing what the world is most in need of to be as equitable and sustainable as possible.

12:30 pm

Afternoon Recess

In The Nest, second graders marvel at the iced over mud kitchen, passing the giant pieces from hand to hand. Other friends joined a group of third graders on the play structure while a few others set up an adapted four square game on a large slab of rock, using the cracks in the rock as the boundaries of the game.

1:00 pm

History

The sixth grade class welcomed Dr. Jason and Virgina Herrmann, archaeologists and FFS parents. By hearing directly from experts and asking questions, students gain important knowledge to supplement their research. All of their findings will later be displayed in the end-of-the-year PBL presentation of their Ancient Civilizations Museum.

1:30 pm

Meeting for Worship

Each week, the divisions gather for Meeting for Worship in the Meeting House. Meeting begins in silence, so that students can settle and practice reflection, and then community members may feel moved to speak, raise an idea, or share an inspiration. The meeting ends when the elders (fourth and eighth graders) initiate a handshake.

2:00 pm

Library

With their library cards hanging on lanyards around their necks, a line of first graders holds hands and heads off to the library. The Frankford Library sits just three blocks from the edge of the FFS campus and serves as a vital link to our classrooms. It’s always a special treat when the librarian reads a story to the class!

2:45 pm

Advisory & Closing Circle

Early Childhood and Lower School students bustle about the classroom, packing their backpacks and making their way to the rug for closing circle. Meanwhile, in middle school, students reconnect with their advisor and wrap up the day through social, emotional, and academic group activities.

2:55 pm

Dismissal

It was another great day at FFS! Each student shakes their teacher’s hand to signal that they’re leaving, before moving to their designated line for bus, pickup, or Extended Day, our after-school care program. Four FFS buses transport students in grades 1-8 to their homes all over the city.

3:05 pm

Office Hours

After school, middle school students can sign-up for one-on-one and small group conferences to review specific skills and work on individualized practice for academic growth. Learning how to ask for help and to advocate for themselves as learners is an important part of the middle school experience at FFS.

6:00 pm

Extended Day

The last few otters listen to a story as they wait for their parents to pick them up at Extended Day. In Extended Day, students are fed a healthy snack and then have plenty of time to play in The Nest before spending time in the IDEA Lab in both teacher- and student-led centers such as arts and crafts, games, construction activities, science, and dramatic play.

Important Information

‍
Age Requirements
Preschool (Fishtown Campus): Students from 2 to PreKindergarten age.
Preschool (Main Campus): Students must be 3 years old by September 1st of the school year they wish to attend.
‍PreK: Students must be 4 years old by September 1st of the school year they wish to attend.
Kindergarten: Students must be 5 years old by the first day of the school year they wish to attend.

Fishtown Early Childhood Campus
Curious children ages 2 - 4 years old are invited to join us on our new campus in Fishtown, which opened in Spring 2024.

For more information, or to share your interest in enrolling your child, submit an inquiry.
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Tuition
Frankford Friends School offers a markedly reduced tuition, lower than that of any Quaker school in the Delaware Valley. We believe that a school environment where all socio-economic groups are represented contributes an important element to the diversity of our community, and provides an opportunity for students to develop the necessary skills to create and collaborate with peers from a variety of backgrounds. Frankford Friends School awarded over $400,000 of tuition assistance for the 2024-25 school year.
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Main Campus (Frankford)
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‍Preschool - Kindergarten: $14,800
1st Grade: $15,100
2nd Grade: $15,200
3rd Grade: $15,300
4th Grade: $15,400
5th Grade: $15,500
6th - 8th Grades: $15,750

Fishtown Preschool
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School Year: September through June (10 months)
5 full days: $14,800
5 half days: $10,580

Full Year: July through June (12 months)
5 full days: $18,400
5 half days: $13,150

Payment Plans

1 payment due in July
2 payments: 70% due in July and 30% in December
10 payments: installments from June through March; $55 FACTS fee required

‍Tuition Assistance
If you believe that Frankford Friends School is the right place for your family, we want to help you be a part of our community. Our tuition assistance program serves students in grades PreKindergarten through 8th grade. Applicants applying for tuition assistance are strongly encouraged to apply for additional aid through the Children's Scholarship Fund. The Admissions Office can share information about other sources of support as well.‍

More About Tuition Assistance

Register for an Open House

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

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Admissions

Now accepting applications for students in Preschool through 8th grade interested in joining a community dedicated to joyful learning, academic excellence, and building a better future for humankind. Register for a tour or apply now.

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2024-2025 admissions

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Building a Better Future for Humankind

Welcome from our Coordinator of Admissions, Sharon Oliver

Admissions Deadlines

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Resources

engage Magazine

Admissions

fast facts

Thank you for your interest in Frankford Friends School!

Since 1833, we have proudly offered a values-based Quaker education here in the heart of Philadelphia. In the city and of the city, we look forward to welcoming you to campus from one of the 30+ zip codes represented by our students.

Candice Moore

Director of admissions

Learn more about our admissions process, schedule a private tour, or attend a virtual information session.

A Day at FFS

7:55 am

Good morning!

Our school buses pull up to the gate on Orthodox St, transporting students to our campus from all over the Philadelphia area. Puppet in hand, Mrs. Cook greets each of the Lower School and Early Childhood students as they enter the building.

8:00 am

Morning Meeting

Morning Meetings in the lower school and early childhood classrooms prepare students to start their day. Middle schoolers build community, set meaningful goals, develop study habits, practice constructive communication, and prepare for a successful day each morning in Advisory.

8:30 am

Reading Buddies

Each week, students in 3rd and Kindergarten, 4th and 1st, and 2nd and Pre-K get together to read books aloud with a buddy from their partner class. This program is a school favorite and fosters an excitement for reading while building long-lasting relationships across grade levels.

9:00 am

IDEA Lab

9:30 am

Morning Recess

While Teacher Tara and a gaggle of Pre-K students observed a caterpillar eating a leaf, some other friends lined up for a game of “Red Light, Green Light.” Teacher Tuesday also brought out hula hoops and sidewalk chalk which was a huge hit with the other members of the class.

10:00 am

Strings Lesson

11:00 am

Lunch

11:30 am

Middle School Art

12:00 pm

Project-Based Learning

12:30 pm

Afternoon Recess

1:00 pm

History

1:30 pm

Meeting for Worship

2:00 pm

Library

2:45 pm

Advisory & Closing Circle

Early Childhood and Lower School students bustle about the classroom, packing their backpacks and making their way to the rug for closing circle. Meanwhile, in middle school, students reconnect with their advisor and wrap up the day through social, emotional, and academic group activities.

2:55 pm

Dismissal

It was another great day at FFS! Each student shakes their teacher’s hand to signal that they’re leaving, before moving to their designated line for bus, pickup, or Extended Day, our after-school care program. Four FFS buses transport students in grades 1-8 to their homes all over the city.

3:05 pm

Office Hours

6:00 pm

Extended Day

Request Information

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Get to Know Our Programs

Early Childhood

Lower School

Middle School

Important Information

Register for an Open House

Building a Better Future for Humankind

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News & Updates

Welcome from our Coordinator of Admissions,
Sharon Oliver