On what makes FCS unique….

A lot of issues that my friends from other schools say that they have don’t seem to happen here. From a young age at FCS (I’ve been here since kindergarten) I have been taught to work through problems by communication and figuring out how to best solve the issue at hand.

On meeting for worship…

It took some time for me to get used to meeting for worship in the middle school. In the beginning, I didn’t know what to make of the longer period of time in silence and reflection. But as I got older, I really began to appreciate the time spent together with other students and teachers, and all of the thoughtful things that were shared.

On service…

My service project involves me working at the FCS lower school with the current preschoolers, reading to them, playing games, and just keeping them company while I am there. I think that doing service is great because it gives you a new appreciation for what you are fortunate enough to have, and it gives you the chance to give back to others.

My favorite tradition…

My favorite tradition at FCS has been the Secret Sister gifts that the lacrosse team has been doing over the years. During this time, we buy gifts for other members on the team which really brings the team together and allows us to interact with people from various grades. We really focus on becoming stronger as a team first, then about the competition, and this makes the athletic experience an enjoyable one.

Favorite classroom activity…

So far, my favorite classroom assignment has been the Animal Farm project we did in Mr. Terrell’s class. During this project, we had to pick a song of our choice, and change the lyrics so that the new song gave us a better understanding of the novel. It was so much fun to see all of the different kinds of ideas that other people came up with, and then perform in front of each other.

Advice to a new student…

FCS is a very open and welcoming community. Of course there will be some worry about being in a new school, but that usually goes away in the first few days. Just relax and be yourself, and know that everyone is here to help.

On what makes FCS Unique…

One thing that I think is unique about Friends’ Central is that the teachers here always seem to be available. If you have a problem, teachers will change around their schedule to meet with you to help you find a solution. Also, there are many opportunities to make new friends here through sports, drama, and the different classes that we take, and I think this makes us a tighter community.

On meeting for worship…

Meeting for worship, to me, is a time to ponder your own thoughts as well as the things that other people may stand up and speak about. Because we are a Quaker school, we really focus on the Quaker testimonies and trying to better ourselves and others everyday. Meeting for worship is an opportunity to get together and share our ideas with each other in hopes that our own shared story will positively impact another.

On service…

Service is our chance to give back to someone else. Every Wednesday I go around the school and empty all of the recycling bins with other students. Though another student’s service project may take them outside of our own community, I think my service helps our own community become a more environmentally friendly place, which is also important.

On a favorite tradition at FCS…

My favorite tradition in the Middle School is the Color Games day. At the beginning of the school year, every student is placed on a different team and earns points for their teams throughout the year, and then at the end of the year, we have a huge competition dedicated to different games and activities. It is definitely something I look forward to.

Advice to a new student…

There are so many opportunities here at FCS inside and outside the classroom. My advice to a new student would be to use your time wisely and take advantage of everything that is offered. Try something new, because you never know if you might like it.

On what makes FCS unique…

One thing that I think that Friends’ Central does really well is that the school encourages students to strive for their best in the three A’s (Academics, Arts, Athletics). I also feel that teachers here at FCS are a lot more open and willing to meet with the students outside of class if they have issues with work or if they just want someone to talk to.

On meeting for worship…

I think that the queries we are given at the beginning of meeting for worship are helpful in that they get everybody on the same page in thinking about a certain topic or idea. Meeting for worship gives us time to think about things we may not think about during a busy school day, and I think that it is important to sometimes just have the silence the way we do during meeting.

On service…

My service is “Students of Culture” with Mr. Terrell, and during this time a number of students get together and talk about a range of topics. It’s a time to be open and honest about things we don’t necessarily have time to talk about in other classes, but that we make time to talk about every Wednesday.

On a favorite tradition…

My favorite tradition at FCS has been the musical and choral concerts. I really enjoy seeing what my friends have been up to throughout the year, and I really enjoy the music.

Advice to a new student…

It is certainly important to be organized and ready for the classroom experience, but FCS is a very diverse place, and it has something for each and every person outside of the classroom. Find something that you enjoy doing and make sure that you enjoy life here at FCS both inside and outside the classroom.

On what makes FCS unique…

The Friends’ Central community is a community in which you never have to be afraid to be yourself. Our teachers are really encouraging and supportive in whatever we choose to do, and they are always available to talk to you and help you through any sort of problems you may encounter.

On meeting for worship…

At first I didn’t really understand the need for a silent, reflective time. But once I really started to listen to the messages that others gave, I began to appreciate the things that were being said. When someone stands up to speak in meeting, you know that what they are saying means a lot to them, as it takes a lot to talk in front of others. I am now open and able to listen and take in the messages of others and make them a part of my own life, which is what I think meeting for worship is all about. It is about sharing and learning from each other.

On service…

My service is the “Students of Culture” service project in which a number of students gather every week to discuss issues in an honest and open community. Topics range from world issues, to issues that may arise in the classrooms or around the campus here at FCS. It is a wonderful chance to learn from others, and share your own ideas about all sorts of issues, big and small.

Advice to a new student…

My advice to a new student would be to relax, be yourself, and know that you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to others. If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to go to a teacher, advisor, or even a friend. Everyone is here to help each other succeed.

Middle and Upper School Visitors

Once you arrange a visit, the admissions office will match you up with a guide. Your guide is a student your age and your grade and he or she may have similar interests to you. Your guide will be your “buddy” for the day and will introduce you to his/her teachers and friends and be available to answer any questions that you have during the day

You should arrive on campus at 8:15 a.m. and go to the OPA Room in the Wood Building (the old stone building at the top of the entrance loop). An admission officer will greet you and introduce you to your guide. Your guide will take you to his or her homeroom and classes.

At some point, your guide will bring you back to the Wood Building so you can meet with an admission officer. You will talk with the admission officer about FCS, what you are interested in, and what you are doing at school now. You will also be asked to do a writing sample on one of several possible topics. Don’t worry too much–just be relaxed and be yourself!

You should wear comfortable school clothes (we don’t have a uniform) and you will be our guest for lunch.

Your day will end as we are getting ready for our after-school activities. In Middle School this is at 1:50 p.m. and in Upper School it is at 2:30 p.m.

Lower School Visitors

You and your parents should come to the Lower School lobby by 8:30 a.m. Mrs. Harris or Mrs.Ciglinsky from the admission office will take you to your teacher for the day and introduce you to everyone.

You do have to take a short test on reading, writing and math, but don’t worry. It is just to show what you have learned at your school.

You should wear comfortable school clothes (definitely sneakers for gym). If it is snowy, make sure you bring boots and snow pants because we have recess outside every day!

You will be our guest for lunch and can choose from the offerings in the cafeteria

Lower School Visitors (Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten)

You should arrive at the Lower School at 9 a.m. for your Saturday Play Day

You will be assigned to a classroom with other students your age

During the morning, you will probably hear a story, play with the other children, do an arts and crafts activity, and have a snack

While you are there, you will be asked to do some “work” with one of our special teachers who want to see what you can do APPLY NOW to Friends’ Central School