Carolina Friends School

School Overview:	Carolina Friends School
School Membership(s)	State or regional independent school association Friends Council on Education (FCE) National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Religious Affiliation	Friends
Grades Offered	Grades Prekindergarten - 12
Year Founded	1962
Student Body
Total Students	496 students
Student Body Type	Co-ed
% Students of Color	21% (NC School Avg.: 22%)
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers	64 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio	8:1 (National school avg.: 13:1)
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree	47%
Average Class Size	13 students
Number of AP Courses	6 courses
List of Courses Offered	Link to List of Courses
	Advanced Courses
	Adv Biology	Adv Statistics
	Calculus 1	Calculus 2
	Adv French	Adv Spanish
Matriculation Data	Link to Matriculation Data
Classroom dress code	Casual
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline	Jan. 4 / Jan. 15 / rolling
Tuition Notes	Tuition varies by level.
% on Financial Aid	26%
Average Financial Aid Grant	$6,500
Acceptance Rate	35%
Admissions Director	Kathleen Davidson
Admissions Associate	Kathy Kirschmann
Sports
Total Sports Offered	8 sports
	Sports
	Baseball	Basketball
	Cross Country	Soccer
	Swimming	Tennis
	Ultimate Frisbee	Volleyball

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.
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• 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.
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• 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. We meet them where they are and guide them forward, differentiating instruction where needed. This allows our students 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.
• Our Upper School students do take standardized tests as part of the college application process, and our SAT score averages are higher than the averages for both NC and the NC Association of Independent Schools. Although we intentionally do not offer strictly designated Advanced Placement courses, we do offer a variety of advanced courses of our own design. In 2011, 19 students took 25 AP exams, and the mean score was 4 and median score was 5. The Class of 2012 (36 students) includes  3 National Merit semi-finalists and 5 National Merit commendations. Although we do not define Friends School by such honors, we are happy to share this good news.
• 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. 23% 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: 08/31/2012

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School Reviews:

• February 21,2013 - An outstanding school with an attentive, intelligent, caring and creative faculty. If one is looking for a place where their child will be known well by their teachers, and their child will be encouraged to grow as an individual while at the same time take care of their community, then CFS may be the right choice for you.*-Posted by Parent *

Note: Data has been gathered from the Dept. of Education, schools, and commercial data sources.