BFS
Our Strategic Vision
 

Educating Minds &
Hearts Since 1867

Our School's Mission

Guided by the Quaker belief that there is a Divine Light in everyone, Brooklyn Friends School cultivates an intellectually ambitious and diverse community that celebrates each individual’s gifts. We challenge our students to value and embrace difference as they develop critical thinking skills and apply their knowledge and intelligence both in and out of the classroom. In this rich learning environment, we inspire all members of our community to voice their convictions, to discover and pursue their passions, and to seek truth. Our graduates are compassionate, curious, and confident global citizens who let their lives speak in the spirit of leadership and service.

Quick Facts about Brooklyn Friends School

  • 700

    students from all 5 boroughs

  • 1 of 3

    independent NYC schools offering the IB Diploma Program

  • 100%

    of our graduates accepted at four year universities

  • 2-18

    is the age range of students we enroll

  • 7:1

    is our student-to-faculty ratio

  • 39%

    of our students are students of color

  • 30

    sports teams proudly represent our school

  • 1 of 4

    Brooklyn Friends families receive tuition assistance grants

Who We Are

Brooklyn Friends is an independent, college preparatory Quaker school where the majority of the faculty holds advanced degrees, and the Upper School offers the academically challenging and highly esteemed International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Our school is proud of its active, supportive parent body, our enthusiastic teachers and dedicated staff, and our thoughtful and articulate students. Together, we form a community reflective of a unique combination of intellect, energy, and heart.

Our Three Pillars

Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

Values of equity, community, wholeness, imagination, learning and justice are enacted at BFS in authentic ways through the collective responsibility we all hold in our hands. In the spirit of centering all the ways we do the work, there are countless ways in which our school—and our individual Learning Communities— illustrate the ways souls, humanity, character, and criticality are nurtured in our school—as a collective experience. This is work that is the heart of the Brooklyn Friends School mission and takes us from where we have always been in ways that are grounded in the “now” of our world for learning that is timely and enduring. Learn more

Global Civic Engagement and Social Impact

Brooklyn Friends School has always been on the cutting edge of issues of the day and the current work of Global Civic Engagement and Social Impact is right on time. Led by Director of Global Civic Engagement and Social Impact, Kevin Murungi, BFS students and colleagues have been working on—and will continue to work on—many exciting projects and initiatives. All of them are directly aligned with BFS’ Strategic Vision—For BFS, For Brooklyn, For the World. Learn more.

Wholeness and Well Being

What does it mean for BFS to center Wholeness and Well Being as one of its Pillars? It means that our students and colleagues are healthy and thriving, our retention is strong, and our families are shining a light on the wellbeing that defines their children’s educational experiences. In our work we will continue to audit our health and wellness program, integrate a robust resilience & wellness curriculum within each learning community, invest in resources and professional learning for colleagues to best support students’ social-emotional and mental health needs, and always center the wholeness and wellbeing of our students, colleagues, and families