Brooklyn Friends School has educated students since 1867, making it one of New York City’s longest-operating independent educational institutions. “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.” This profile examines the school’s distinct characteristics for families considering enrollment options.
Weekly Meeting for Worship forms the cornerstone of the Brooklyn Friends School experience. During these gatherings, students and faculty assemble in silent reflection—a practice rooted in Quaker tradition where participants speak only when personally moved to share insights. The format of the meeting is simple: Friends worship silently, waiting upon the spirit. Each person has within themselves the ability to discern the truth, and students and teachers are encouraged to speak from their hearts, if so moved.
The school frames its educational philosophy through Quaker testimonies abbreviated as SPICES: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. Simplicity: Focusing on what is essential, rather than material distractions. Peace: Resolving conflicts peacefully and working actively for peace. Integrity: Maintaining our beliefs in all parts of life. Community: Taking care of one another. Equality: Honoring each person and working against oppression. Stewardship: Giving ourselves up in service and being environmental stewards.
Head of School Crissy Cáceres describes her leadership philosophy not as theoretical, but practical. “I view myself as a way maker,” Cáceres says. “As somebody whose job it is to distill what the challenges at any given moment are, or the needs for someone or some people or a space, and creatively consider, what is it that my agency and my insight and my experience, and frankly also my power and positionality, allows for me to do in service to those needs that are present?”
Organizational Structure
Brooklyn Friends School serves approximately 725 students from all 5 boroughs. The school divides students into four distinct learning communities:
- Early Childhood (ages 2-4): Programs focus on imagination and discovery The curriculum for Early Childhood Twos, Threes, and Fours offers children activities and materials that stimulate the imagination, build independence, and present ample opportunities for exploring and discovering their world
- Lower School (K-4): Project-based learning with emphasis on student ownership Our academic program honors and centers children through a progressive approach
- Middle School (5-8): Preparation for Upper School with strong advisory system Small classes and a strong advisory system establish informal and close relationships between students and faculty and promote a strong sense of partnership with parents
- Upper School (9-12): College preparatory curriculum including International Baccalaureate program. The Upper School offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum for students in grades 9 through 12. ,
- The student-to-faculty ratio stands at 7:1 7:1 is our student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for substantial individualized attention.
Three-Pillar Framework
The current Head of School, Crissy Cáceres, who joined Brooklyn Friends School in 2019 as the first head of color and the first woman to lead the school in 33 years, implements a school structure built around three fundamental pillars:
- Diversity, Equity, and Belonging: Approximately 39% of students identify as people of color.
- Global Social Impact: Directed by Kevin Murungi, this program connects students with activism opportunities Led by Director of Global Social Impact , Kevin Murungi, Brooklyn Friends School students and colleagues have been working on—and will continue to work on—many exciting projects and initiatives
- Wholeness and Well-being: Focus on students’ social-emotional health through integrated programs 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, mental health and learning needs
Discipline and Conflict Resolution
Brooklyn Friends School employs restorative practices for student behavioral issues. Cáceres articulates a developmental approach to discipline: “In order for bullying to occur, there had to be active intent, there had to be a connection to what you thought you gained from the bullying, there had to be a measure of trying to hide or omit yourself from the impact of that. And their frontal lobes have not fully developed enough for all of those three things to be true. So that is not bullying, that’s mistake making.” This perspective frames student conflicts as learning opportunities rather than punishable offenses.
Admissions and Financial Considerations
The preliminary application deadline for the 2025–2026 school year has now passed, but you are welcome to submit an application for consideration in our Second Season process. In this case, your application will be held until we know we can accommodate additional applicants.
Financial accessibility remains central to the school’s mission—approximately one in four Brooklyn Friends School families receive tuition assistance 1 of 4 Brooklyn Friends families receive tuition assistance grants.
For families seeking education that balances academic rigor with character development, Brooklyn Friends School offers a distinctly values-based program. The school’s dual-campus setting in downtown Brooklyn houses comprehensive educational facilities, including arts studios, science laboratories, and athletic programs that field 35 sports teams. Prospective families should contact the admissions office at admissions@brooklynfriends.org.