List of 21 frequently asked questions.

• What are the key entry grades at Friends?

  Kindergarten and Grade 9. Openings for all other grades are dependent on attrition.

• How do I register for Admissions Events?

  Registration for admissions events can be done through your Ravenna account.
  
  From your Ravenna homepage, use the School Directory tab to search for Friends Seminary and register for upcoming events. Note that if you are already within your Friends Seminary application, you will need to select the "Go back to applications" button to reach the School Directory.

• Does Friends have Covid-19 vaccination requirements?

  As of May 11, 2023:

  • Vaccination against COVID-19 will no longer be required for community members, visitors, and vendors. While identification is still required to enter the building, proof of vaccination will no longer be screened. 
  • Students and employees, both current and new, will no longer be required to be up-to-date with vaccination as defined by the CDC against COVID-19.  
    • Students will no longer be required to be up-to-date with vaccination against COVID-19 as part of the State’s immunization requirements to attend Friends Seminary. 

• Is an application required to tour the School?

  Click Lower School,  Middle School, or Upper School to learn how to schedule a tour.

• Do I have to submit an application to schedule an interview?

  Yes. The "Application for Admission" form must be submitted before an interview can be scheduled.

• How do I begin my application to Friends?

  Applications are available online to ensure a simple and accessible process and to support sustainability. Click here to apply.
  

• What are the application requirements?

  Click Lower School,  Middle School, or Upper School to learn about application requirements. 

• What happens to applications that are placed on hold because (1) interview slots for Kindergarten or Grade 9 are full, or (2) no openings are available in an attrition-based grade?

  On hold for Interviews:  If a scheduled interview is cancelled, we go directly to the on hold interview file.

  
  

  On hold for Grade Openings:  If we find out that current student is leaving Friends, we go directly to the on hold application file.

  
  Since we cannot always predict openings, we encourage interested families to submit the online application using our fee waiver code.  Please also upload a current school report, the June 2022 and June 2021 report cards, if available. Call the Admissions Office for additional information.

• When do applications for Academic Year 2023-2024 need to be completed?

  Applications should be completed by January 12, 2023. If families apply after this date, applications will be put on hold pending openings. We encourage you to submit the Application for Admissions form by November 1, 2022 as interview slots fill up quickly.
  
  For late K-12 applicants, no fee is required until the application is processed. Please reach out to the Admissions Office for more information.

• Does Friends require standardized testing?

  Friends Seminary has created its own internal assessment program. We do not require and will not accept standardized test scores.

• For Grades 5-12 current teacher recommendations, what if the same teacher teaches both English and Math?

  Please ask the teacher to fill out both forms, since each form asks different questions.

• Does Friends have a birthday cut-off date?

  Yes, for Kindergarten and Grade 1 only. 
  
  For Kindergarten, children must be five-years-old by September 1.
  For Grade 1, children must be six-years-old by September 1.

• Does Friends have an Early Notification Program?

  Friends has an Early Notification Program for Kindergarten only. The program applies to children of (1) Members of the Religious Society of Friends, (2) current sibling families, and (3) current faculty and staff. Please fill out the Early Notification Form.

• Does Friends have a Financial Aid and Affordability Program?

  Yes, Friends has a substantial Financial Aid and Affordability Program. For more information, click Tuition and Affordability.

• How does the wait list work?

  Students who are on the wait list can opt to remain on the wait list until the beginning of the school year.

• Does Friends have Before- and After-School Programs?

  Yes. Our before-school program is available for Kindergarten-Grade 4 at no cost. After-school programs are available for Grades K-6. Financial assistance is available for families receiving aid. Click here for more information.
  

• Where do Friends families live?

  Geographically, Friends casts a wide net -- students come from over 100 zip codes within the metropolitan area, including New Jersey.

• How do students commute to Friends?

  Kindergarten - Grade 6 families living in Lower Manhattan
  

  Free bus transportation is provided by the NYC Board of Education. For more information, please contact the Assistant to the Lower School Head at x5111.
  
  Kindergarten - Grade 6 families living on the Upper East Side
  Free bus transportation is provided by the NYC Board of Education. For more information, please contact the Assistant to the Lower School Head at x5111.
  
  Kindergarten - Grade 12 families living on the West Side (above West 20th Street)
  Bus transportation is provided by a private bus company in the morning, as long as the minimum number of students subscribe to this service. Please call the Admissions Office for more information x5042. Financial assistance is available for families who receive financial aid.
  
  Kindergarten - Grade 12 families living in Brooklyn 
  Bus transportation is provided by a private bus company in the morning, as long as the minimum number of students subscribe to this service. Please call the Admissions Office for more information x5042. Financial assistance is available for families who receive financial aid.
  
  Grade 5-12 students, city-wide
  Metrocards
  Parent Carpools

• What courses are offered in the Upper School?

  Click UPPER SCHOOL.
  

• To which colleges and universities do Friends students matriculate?

  Click COLLEGE COUNSELING.

• When will Friends begin accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year?

  Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are open August 22, 2022.
  Click here to apply.