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Carolina Friends School

4809 Friends School Road, Durham, NC, 27705-0277 -

School Notes Overview:

Carolina Friends School was founded in 1962 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Chapel Hill and Durham. Carolina Friends School is a vibrant and inclusive learning community empowering students to think critically, creatively, and independently. We foster active exploration and quiet reflection, individual endeavor and collaborative engagement. Inspired by Quaker values -- pursuit of truth, respect for all, peaceful resolution of conflict, simplicity, the call to service – we teach our children that it is possible to change the world....

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School Overview:

	Carolina Friends School
School Membership(s)	State or regional independent school association Friends Council on Education (FCE) National Association of Independent Schools
Religious Affiliation	Friends
Grades Offered	Grades Prekindergarten - 12
Year Founded	1962
County	Orange County, NC
Student Body
Total Students	493 students
Student Body Type	Co-ed
	This School	(NC) School Avg.
% Students of Color	24%	18%
Students by Grade
	Pre-K - 36 students
	Kind - 31 students
	Grade 1 - 26 students
	Grade 2 - 31 students
	Grade 3 - 29 students
	Grade 4 - 34 students
	Grade 5 - 31 students
	Grade 6 - 40 students
	Grade 7 - 39 students
	Grade 8 - 40 students
	Grade 9 - 42 students
	Grade 10 - 39 students
	Grade 11 - 38 students
	Grade 12 - 37 students
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers	64 teachers
% Faculty with Advance Degree	50%
Average Class Size	13
Number of AP Courses	5
List of Courses Offered	Link to List of Courses
Matriculation Data	Link to Matriculation Data
Classroom dress code	Casual
	This School	(NC) School Avg.
Teacher : Student Ratio	1:9	* Ntl. Public School Avg. » 1:16
School Days in Calendar Year	175 days	180 days
Hours in School Day for Students	7 hours	6 hours
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline	Jan. 4 / Jan. 15 / rolling
Tuition Notes	Tuition varies by level.
% on Financial Aid	29%
Acceptance Rate	35%
Head of School	Mike Hanas
Admissions Director	Kathleen Davidson
Admissions Associate	Kathy Kirschmann

School Notes:

Why CFS?
Opportunity for Continuity and Community. CFS enrolls children ages 3 through 18, which gives students the opportunity to continue their education through high school in the same environment.
Compelling Curriculum. Our integrated curriculum offers engaging projects that allow students to "connect the dots" and apply what they know to real life. For examples, use this website to check out "What's New?" (upper right corner) or click below on any unit of the school.
Academic Vigor: Steadfast Focus on a Child's Full Development. At CFS, we focus on strong academics and also on social, emotional, artistic, spiritual, and physical growth. All our students take dance, art, music, fitness, and foreign language. They engage in collaborative learning, practice conflict resolution, make meaningful choices, have regular jobs, and enjoy plenty of time outdoors.
Excellent Student-Teacher Ratio. Students benefit from a 9:1 student-teacher ratio, with highly qualified and imaginative teachers (not teacher assistants) who devote close individual attention to each child. Students are seen, heard, and valued for who they are. This allows them to develop the knowledge, values, and confidence they'll need to thrive – and make a difference – in the world.
Nothing Standardized About Evaluation at CFS. Individual uniqueness is valued and encouraged, and students receive the challenge and support appropriate to their abilities, interests, and needs. Instead of standardized tests or grades, we evaluate students through written narrative evaluations and parent-teacher conferences.
Meaningful Opportunities for Real Responsibility. CFS students are given responsibility – for academic choices, for personal relationships, and for their community. They are engaged in meaningful community service projects on campus and in the wider world.
Excellent Preparation for College and More. On average, 95% of CFS graduates go on to colleges of their choice, as close to home as NC-system schools and Duke, and as far away as Pitzer, Smith, and Wesleyan. (For recent college lists, click on "What's New?" and scroll down.)
Room to Learn And Grow. With 13 buildings and over 121 acres on the main campus, students have the facilities, space, and safety they need to expand their horizons, spread their wings, and thrive. "Green" values are incorporated into the curriculum and campus maintenance – e.g., through use of recycled materials, water reclamation, and solar power projects that include photovoltaic collectors returning power to the grid. All this within 15 minutes of Durham, Chapel Hill, or Hillsborough.
Commitment to Diversity—Then, Now, and Always. Founded by Quakers in 1962 as one of the first racially integrated schools in the Southeast, CFS maintains a commitment to diversity of many kinds: race, national origin, religious affiliation, family structure, sexual orientation, learning style, physical ability, and socio-economic background. 24% of CFS students strengthen diversity of race or ethnicity.
Tuition Aid Available. Over 20% of CFS families receive need-based tuition assistance. • Very Low Attrition We are fortunate to have low attrition – just 8%, so if you can imagine your child thriving here, please consider applying soon.
Profile last updated: 09/02/2009

In the News:

Soccer teams done with dress rehearsals (The Chapel Hill News)
posted on August 30, 2009 at 06:16:24 am
For Chapel Hill's soccer team, playing the non-conference part of the Tigers' schedule is a little like suffering Arturo Toscanini. There's lots of insults to the pride, but the end result should be beautiful.
Upcoming (The Chapel Hill News)
posted on August 17, 2009 at 03:14:38 am
(split times are JV/varsity)
Upcoming: August 10-16 (The Chapel Hill News)
posted on August 12, 2009 at 04:39:13 am
The first football scrimmages of the 2009-2010 school year highlight this week's upcoming sports events
Phish Philharmonic (antiMUSIC)
posted on July 14, 2009 at 05:16:59 am
The New York Philharmonic will give the New York premiere of Time Turns Elastic a work for vocals, electric guitar, and orchestra composed by Trey Anastasio, lead singer and guitarist of Phish
Sex ed to get a lot more explicit (The News & Observer)
posted on June 26, 2009 at 09:12:01 am
Sex education in North Carolina public schools, which for more than a decade has focused on abstinence, will soon include information about contraceptives and preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

View all past news stories

School Zip Statistics:

About This Zipcode (27705)	School Zip (27705)	(NC) State Average
Population (Approximate)	40,713 people	8,047,333 people
% (age 25+) w/College Degree	51%	24%
Population Average Age	32 years old	35 years old
Average Household size	2.2 persons	2.3 persons
Median Household Income	$38,470	$43,285
Avg. # of Rooms in Household	4.6 rooms	5.4 rooms
Median Age of Housing Structure	33 years old	31 years old
	View housing listings in 27705
Median Value of Housing Unit Zipcode (27705) What's a Zindex? Subject to Zillow Terms of Use
% Owning / % Renting	46% / 54%	65% / 35%