Brooklyn Friends?

[Anonymous]

Considering a move to Brooklyn in the next two years. Our kids (2M, 4F) are currently in preschool but our friends in Brooklyn have kids at Friends. They seem to enjoy it and the kids are always happy -- and we would love to have our kids in school with theirs for adjustment & convenience reasons -- but their family prefers a less "traditional" educational style than we do so I figured I would solicit opinions here. Is BFS academically rigorous? Are kids getting acquainted (obviously not in kindergarten, but eventually) with what it feels like to complete homework on time, challenge themselves, and work hard to impress their teachers? Any feedback or other recommendations welcome as I grew up in DC and have very little familiarity with New York schools.

[Anonymous]

It’s not a strong school. Most good students leave before hs.

[Anonymous]

It’s a lovely school with happy students but not academically rigorous. You want Packer.

[Anonymous]

OP here; thank you both! I'll look into Packer.

[Anonymous]

Brooklyn Friends has very strong academics and offers the IB program in high school. It’s more progressive than Packer.

[Anonymous]

How would you compare Brooklyn friends to Berkeley Carroll for high school? Or, really just overall feedback?

[Anonymous]

Based on the things you say you want, I don’t think a Friends school is for you. I have a lot of experience with Quaker education, and we have friends there who have been happy but it’s a philosophical match.

[Anonymous]

Just from personal experience:

Visited and did the tour and felt underwhelmed. Did not end up applying.

Friends Seminary felt much better so it’s not a Quaker thing. We applied there.

DS now attends Collegiate.

Please visit - these are all very personal choices.

[Anonymous]

Brooklyn Friends and Berkeley Carroll have a similar progressive approach, but Brooklyn Friends offers the IB program. It has wonderful performing and visual arts, along with strong academics. I agree that the fit is personal with any of these schools. We toured BFS and loved it and our child is attending.

[Anonymous]

Brooklyn Friends is definitely a progressive school, but one that challenges kids to think deeply. There is not a lot of rote memorization and busy work. They are very intentional in what they teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just from personal experience:

Visited and did the tour and felt underwhelmed. Did not end up applying.

Friends Seminary felt much better so it’s not a Quaker thing. We applied there.

DS now attends Collegiate.

Please visit - these are all very personal choices.

What year is this for? Kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just from personal experience:

Visited and did the tour and felt underwhelmed. Did not end up applying.

Friends Seminary felt much better so it’s not a Quaker thing. We applied there.

DS now attends Collegiate.

Please visit - these are all very personal choices.

What year is this for? Kindergarten?

Yes -K