Nestled in Downtown Brooklyn amid the metropolitan rush, Brooklyn Friends School (BFS) stands as both a historical landmark and an educational innovator, serving students from ages two through high school. Founded in 1867 by the Religious Society of Friends, the school ranks among New York City’s oldest continuously operating independent educational institutions, maintaining its commitment to Quaker principles while adapting to contemporary educational needs.
Historical Foundation Meets Modern Practice
The 157-year-old institution occupies a distinctive place within New York City’s educational landscape. Brooklyn Friends School began as a grade school, later adding kindergarten (1902), high school (1907), and preschool programs (1985 and 1992). Throughout these expansions, the school maintained its Quaker identity while evolving its approach to education.
“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,” reads the school’s mission statement.
The school serves approximately a 725-student community with diverse backgrounds, reflective of its Brooklyn surroundings. Though the Brooklyn Monthly Meeting of Quakers ended its ownership affiliation with the school in 2010, Quaker values remain embedded in the educational approach, with half the board of trustees required to be Quaker by charter.
International Baccalaureate: Global Learning Framework
Brooklyn Friends School distinguishes itself academically through its International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for 11th and 12th grade students. The program emphasizes critical thinking over rote memorization, encouraging students to develop as “inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and risk-takers.”
The IB curriculum consists of six subject categories alongside three core components: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity-Activity-Service. This rigorous framework prepares students for higher education while developing their capacity for independent research and civic engagement.
College admissions officers recognize IB credentials globally, with over 300 U.S. universities accepting IB course credit. The program’s emphasis on both intellectual rigor and community service mirrors Brooklyn Friends School’s dual commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility.
Structured for Student Development
Brooklyn Friends organizes its educational approach across four academic divisions:
Early Childhood: The early learning center serves children from age two, focusing on foundational skills through play-based learning methodologies.
Lower School (K-4): Students experience a diverse curriculum including language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, Spanish, visual arts, performing arts, physical education, and woodworking.
Middle School (5-8): The curriculum builds on foundations with humanities, mathematics, science, languages, and continued arts exposure, while introducing more advanced intellectual frameworks.
Upper School (9-12): Students engage with the IB program while pursuing personal passions through electives and extracurricular activities.
This structured progression supports developmental needs while maintaining curricular coherence across all grades.
Athletics: Building Character Through Competition
The athletics program at Brooklyn Friends exemplifies the school’s philosophy that physical education complements intellectual development. The school fields competitive teams beginning in 7th grade, with interscholastic competition continuing through 12th grade.
Brooklyn Friends School recently launched its “Junior Panthers” program for 5th and 6th graders, introducing younger students to athletic skill development earlier. The school maintains that sports participation builds confidence.
The athletics department emphasizes teamwork alongside individual achievement, with a commitment to inclusivity. The school “proudly encourages all of our students to compete on the team that best affirms their identity and self-expression,” reflecting its values-based approach to competition.
Students compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, squash, swimming, track and field, and volleyball, with schedules and results available through the dedicated BFS Athletics website.
Quaker Values in Contemporary Context
Meeting for Worship, a cornerstone of Quaker education, brings the school community together weekly. This gathering embodies the school’s philosophical foundation—the belief that each person possesses inherent worth and capability.
The Quaker values known by the acronym SPICES—Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship—permeate classroom practices and institutional decisions. These principles inform the school’s approach to conflict resolution, community service requirements, and environmental stewardship initiatives.
Current Head of School Crissy Cáceres, who joined Brooklyn Friends School in 2019 as the first head of color and first woman to lead in 33 years, emphasizes these values in her leadership approach. Her background includes leadership roles at Georgetown Day School and Abington Friends School, bringing experience from institutions with similar missions.
The school’s strategic vision focuses on three concentric circles of impact: improving Brooklyn Friends School itself, serving the Brooklyn community, and contributing to global education. This approach mirrors Quaker commitments to local action with global awareness.
Brooklyn Friends differentiates itself through circular classroom arrangements that reflect its pedagogical philosophy—educating students to become “compassionate, curious, and confident global citizens.”
The school’s teaching methodology emphasizes student voice development, with research indicating that “students who believe that they have a voice in school are seven times more likely to be academically motivated.”
