Admissions

Welcome to Friends Academy!
Open a new door in your student’s academic journey with an educational experience committed to the highest standards of learning and living.

 

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Financial Aid

Setting the Standard

Why choose Friends Academy? Watch and discover.

Friends Academy is a PreK-12 private school in Long Island that is based on the Quaker school values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, stewardship, and service. Founded in 1876, Friends Academy is a nationally renowned coeducational, independent, college-preparatory school for students in preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school. 

As a private school built upon the foundations of Quaker education and values, Friends Academy achieves educational excellence by committing to the highest standards of learning and living. Our diverse community is welcoming to people of all faiths.

We empower our students to inquire, reflect, and engage in their classrooms, in their communities, and in the world. 

#1 Ranked

K-12 Private School, High School, and College Prep School

(In Nassau County)

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12:1

Student to teacher ratio

104

Faculty with PH.D's and master's degrees

Our Students Have Gone On to Attend

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Visit Friends Academy

Our Lower, Middle, and Upper school Open Houses were held throughout October 2023. If you missed any of the events, we invite you to get in contact with us to learn more about Friends Academy and schedule a private tour.

We invite you to RSVP and attend our 2023-24 Admissions Open Houses. These will be the only open houses of the 2023-24 fall season and an important step that we highly recommend in applying for our Early Decision deadline in December. Our Open Houses are a select opportunity to meet our outstanding faculty, listen to some of our accomplished and passionate students, and tour our stunning 65-acre campus.

If you miss any of our admissions events, you can feel free to get in contact with us to learn more about Friends Academy and schedule a private tour or request information about our Arts & Athletics programs.

Upper School Open House

Tuesday, October 24 at 9:30 am
(RSVP only)

Middle School Open House

Wednesday, October 25 at 9 am
(RSVP only)

Lower School Open House

Thursday, October 26 at 9 am
(RSVP only)

LEARN MORE & RSVP

Previous Open House Recordings

Lower School (Age 3-Grade 4)

WATCH: Recording of Lower School Open House

Our Admissions Process

Meet the Team!

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Taisha Thompson
Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid
taisha_thompson@fa.org

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Kim Jennings '88
Associate Director of Admissions
kim_jennings@fa.org

Kristin_Minuto

Kristin Minuto
Associate Director of Admissions
kristin_minuto@fa.org

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Ariana Fountain
Admissions and Enrollment Database Manager
ariana_fountain@fa.org

Joan_Phillips

Joan Phillips
Admissions Associate
joan_phillips@fa.org

Bill_Rueger

Bill Rueger
Admissions Associate
bill_rueger@fa.org

GAIL_BAKER (1)

Gail Kammerer-Baker
Athletics Liaison to Admissions 
gail_baker@fa.org

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Doreen Heyman
Admissions
Assistant
doreen_heyman@fa.org



Financial Aid: Affording Friends Academy

Investing in a Friends Academy education is a major commitment for a family and often requires great sacrifice. In alignment with our Quaker values, Friends Academy is committed to providing access and affordability to a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds to ensure that talented and highly qualified students can attend regardless of their ability to pay.

Creating a community of learners who represent diverse, lived experiences and perspectives is critical to achieving academic excellence. We offer need-based financial aid to families with students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 and all financial aid applications are treated with great care and respect.

2023 Financial Aid Workshop Series

Join us for one of our upcoming virtual Financial Aid workshops. Workshops are facilitated by leaders from ISAAGNY member schools and affiliates. 

All events are free, virtual, and designed for the parents/guardians considering an independent school education for their children. 

 

All About Assistance: Tuition Assistance and Affording Independent Schools

Thursday, October 12th: 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Email inquiry@isaagny.org to register. 

 

All About Assistance: Tuition Assistance and Affording Independent Schools

Thursday, October 19th: 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Email inquiry@isaagny.org to register. 

Financial Aid Timeline for 2024-2025 Academic Year

Please submit financial aid documentation by December 15, 2023 and follow the timeline below for uploading all required documents. You can click on this link to start your application: https://sssandtadsfa.my.site.com/schoolportal.  The SSS school code is 3286.

  1. October 2, 2023: School and Student Services (SSS) website will open
  2. December 15, 2023: Submit the Parent Financial Statement (PFS)
  3. December 15, 2023: Upload 2022 Federal Tax Returns and a Signed Form 4506-T
  4. February 5, 2024: Upload 2023 W'2 and/or 1099s
  5. April 18, 2024: Upload 2023 Federal Tax Returns

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible for need-based financial aid?
Friends Academy offers financial aid to qualifying families with students entering Kindergarten through Grade 12. Our financial aid program is need-based, and grants are awarded to families of qualified admission candidates who demonstrate financial need.

2. What makes a financial aid application complete?
A financial aid application is complete once the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), tax documentation (1040 and W2’s), a 4506 Form, and a recent pay stub are submitted.

3. How are financial aid grants determined?
Need-based financial aid is granted at the school’s discretion and takes into account each family’s unique financial situation as demonstrated through income, assets, expenses, etc. Financial aid awards are only allocated once the SSS file is complete. Upon review of the file, other documentation may be required.

4. Will my application for financial aid impact my admission decision?
Decisions about admission and financial aid are made separately, but information about an award will accompany the decision letter.

5. What do I do if I cannot afford the grant being offered?
Families may appeal their financial aid award by writing to the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid. A letter of appeal should include a detailed explanation as to why the decision is being appealed, along with any additional documentation that will support the request.

6. Will I continue to receive financial aid for the duration of my student's tenure at Friends Academy?
Financial aid grants are valid for that academic year only, and families must re-submit an updated PFS and documents annually to determine eligibility. Families receiving aid can reasonably expect continued support in line with what they have been receiving, assuming their financial circumstances remain consistent.

Inclusive Meal Plan

As part of our inclusive tuition plan, all students, from Kindergarten through twelfth grade receive a daily hot lunch in our Dining Commons. Students have a variety of choices, including salad bar, hot lunch, sandwiches and grill station. Click here for Weekly Menus.

Early Childhood children bring their lunch to eat in the Early Childhood Center kitchen space.

In-class Snacks: All students in Grades Kindergarten - 5th grade are served a light snack either mid-morning or mid-afternoon in their classrooms. Middle School students are offered fresh fruit during the day.

Purchasing breakfast and snacks: Both breakfast and afternoon snack items are available for purchase in the Dining Commons. All Lower School students receive a daily snack, which is eaten in the classroom. Middle School students enjoy fresh fruit at the end of the school day.

Questions: Contact Food Services Manager Christina Mariakais at 516-393-4233 or christina_mariakais@fa.org.

Friends Academy dining services are provided by Flik Independent School Dining. Flik and Friends Academy work in tandem to promote and enhance the school's health and wellness and sustainability programs.

2022 Financial Aid Family Night Presentation – SSS

Please click below to watch: 

Family Night 2022 - Understanding Financial Aid

How Private and Independent Schools Create Access to Educational Opportunity

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2024-25 Tuition & Fees

Friends Academy has an inclusive tuition plan (ITP). The stated tuition for grades K through 12 includes all mandatory fees and the meal plan.

Lower School:
PlayGroup: $20,900
PreKindergarten: $28,200
Kindergarten: $32,600
Grades 1-4: $38,400

Middle School:
Grades 5-8: $42,400

 

 

Upper School:
Grades 9-12: $46,500

 

 

For further information on tuition and financial aid, please contact us in the Admissions and Financial Aid Office at admissions@fa.org or visit our financial aid page.

 

Apply for the 2024-25 School Year

Early Notice Deadline: Dec. 15, 2023

Regular Application Deadline: January 15, 2024

Please follow the process below for all applications to Friends Academy:

Matriculation Fees

Note that a 10% deposit is required with all enrollment contracts.

Matriculation Fees for New Enrollees:

Playgroup/Pre-K: $300

Kindergarten – 4th Grade: $400

5th Grade – 8th Grade: $500

9th Grade – 12th Grade: $600

 

Apply Online

Online applications for 2024-2025 school year will be available early October through our online application system (Ravenna). To apply, kindly create a user account and search for Friends Academy in the Ravenna school directory. All required forms and steps are online. 

Interview

Once we receive your application, we will call you to schedule a virtual parent meeting.
And students applying to:

  • Early Childhood and Kindergarten: We will contact you to schedule an on campus assessment.
    • Playgroup: 3 years of age by September 1
    • Pre-Kindergarten: 4 years of age by September 1
    • Kindergarten: 5 years of age by September 1
  • Grades 1-4: We will contact you to set up an on campus student visit.
  • Grades 5-8: We will contact you to set up an on campus student visit.
  • Grades 9-12: We will contact you to set u an on campus student interview with an Admission Team member or Upper School faculty member. 

Required Forms

Transcript Release Form and Teacher Recommendation Forms are completed through our online application system. An applicant file is complete when all required forms have been received and the screening/interview is complete. Kindly notify your child’s school that we require the current year’s first-semester report card, report cards for the last 3 years, and all standardized test results for the last 3 years (if applicable). Additionally, students applying for Grades 5-12 must complete the Student Questionnaire online in Ravenna.

Register for SSAT (Student applying to Grades 6-11)

Information regarding the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) may be found at www.ssat.org. All test scores must be sent directly from SSAT to Friends Academy. The Friends Academy school code is 3286.

 

Start the Application

What Parents Need to Know

Want to learn more about who we are and what we value? Our viewbook includes more insights into our mission and philosophy, including:

  • How we empower our students to create change
  • What makes our community so strong
  • How we practice peace, justice, and understanding
  • Day-to-day life at Friends Academy
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Class of 2023 College Matriculation

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About Our Campus

Located on a beautiful 65-acre campus in the heart of Locust Valley, facilities include the Dolan Center, which houses a state-of-the-art 400-seat theater, art studios and our dining hall; separate buildings for Upper, Middle, Lower schools and the Little Friends Infant & Toddler Center; the Athletic Center with adjacent fields for soccer, field hockey, baseball, softball, football and track, as well as tennis courts; and the three-story, modern Kumar Wang Learning Commons that houses more than 50,000 volumes, a web-based catalog system, e-readers and laptop loan program.

We offer a campus-wide wireless network, various computer labs, a renovated gymnasium, field house (featuring brand-new locker room facilities) and extensive athletic fields.

Around Our Community

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Get ready to open a new door