Now in its fourth decade, Friends Community School is a purposeful and joyful school that engages and inspires young children through adolescence.
Located on 17 wooded acres adjacent to Greenbelt National Park in College Park, MD, FCS is a vibrant and nurturing community with strong Quaker roots, a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and community, and a progressive approach to education.
At FCS, students are respected, childhood is celebrated, and learning is experiential, relevant, and meaningful.
Our students are lifelong learners, courageous risk-takers, and joyous peacemakers who matriculate to rigorous independent, parochial, and public magnet schools in the greater Washington, DC area.
FCS lives at the unique juncture of Quaker values, progressive pedagogy, and K-8 education.
As a Quaker school, we believe that intellectual and moral education are inextricably interconnected.
Our values - simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship - are embedded in our curriculum, and we focus on fostering both academic and spiritual growth in our students.
As a progressive school, we recognize that children learn best through hands-on lessons, a child-centered curriculum, collaborative projects, and intentional reflection, and we foster deep learning over rote memorization.
Our inquiry-based approach to instruction and our practice of active reflection allow students to build skills that are important in academic and social settings alike.
FCS students are continually challenged with big questions about the world around them and given the space, resources, and time to pursue solutions--and even more questions.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Top Ranked MD School
- Grades: Kindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 210 students
- Yearly Tuition: $29,000
- Average class size: 14 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 8 / Jan. 9
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events
- Open House - Tue., October 28, 2025 - get more information!
- Open House - Sat., November 08, 2025 - get more information!
- Open House - Tue., November 18, 2025 - get more information!
- Open House - Sat., December 06, 2025 - get more information!
- Open House - Thu., December 11, 2025 - get more information!
- Open House - Thu., January 08, 2026 - get more information!
- Reception - Tue., January 13, 2026 - get more information!
- ...read more
Top Rankings
Friends Community School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
Year Founded
1986
School Calendar
Campus Size
17 acres
Student Body
Total Students
210 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
56%
State avg.: 38%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
26 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
14 students
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Dec. 8 / Jan. 9
Yearly Tuition Cost
$29,000
Tuition Notes
$29,000-32,000
Financial Aid available based on need
% on Financial Aid
39%
Admissions Director
Caroline deKieffer
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
4 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
13 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Chess ClubCoding Club
Debate ClubDungeons and Dragons Club
Stem ClubVarious clubs and enrichment activities each semester (e.g., art, drama, coding, debate, computer graphics, robotics, baking, etc.)
Arts and Music Programs:
ChoirInstrumental Music Lessons and Recitals
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Cross CountryGolf
TennisUltimate Frisbee
Various intramural sports opportunities
School Notes
APPLICATION DEADLINES
FRIENDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL
- Early Application Deadline: December 8 (1/2 application fee);
- Regular Application Deadline: January 9 (full fee).
- Held annually between October and January.
- See the Visit FCS page of our website for event details and registration.
FRIENDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL
- Our Mission:At Friends Community School, children are inspired to reach their full potential as individuals and engaged community members, discovering that of God in themselves and others. We nurture lifelong learners, courageous risk-takers, and joyous peacemakers.
- Our green, Silver LEED-Certified building and 17 acre campus adjacent to Greenbelt National Park embody our commitment to environmental stewardship and education.
- We teach using a progressive, child-centered instructional philosophy. We balance academic with social-emotional learning. Our academic program includes language arts, math, science, social studies, Spanish, visual arts, performing arts, art, music, physical education, digital citizenship, community-building, and community service.
- We challenge our students to question, explore, reflect, reason, and communicate effectively. We do so by using varied teaching methods and incorporating many hands-on activities. Field trips are integral to the curriculum, exposing children to rich learning environments that cannot be duplicated in the classroom.
- FCS offers after-school Extended Day, Enrichment Activities, and Instrumental Music Programs. FCS also offers Summer Camp.
- Energized students, dynamic and experienced faculty, experienced administrators, active parents/caregivers, and dedicated alumni comprise the FCS school community.
- In addition, we value our partnerships with Greenbelt National Park, the University of Maryland, NASA, local governments, local businesses, non-profits, service groups and individuals who share our commitment to education.
- You can find our high school matriculation list here.
- Students matriculate to a wide range of rigorous independent, parochial, and public magnet schools in the DMV-area and beyond.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Friends Community School cost?
Friends Community School's tuition is approximately $29,000 for private students.
What sports does Friends Community School offer?
Friends Community School offers 4 interscholastic sports: Cross Country, Golf, Tennis and Ultimate Frisbee.
What is Friends Community School's ranking?
Friends Community School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for: Lowest average acceptance rates.
When is the application deadline for Friends Community School?
The application deadline for Friends Community School is Dec. 8 / Jan. 9.
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Friends Community School also viewed these schools: Holy Redeemer School, New Hope Academy, Highland Park Christian Academy, Belair Baptist Christian Academy and Christian Academy of Laurel.
The nearest high school to Friends Community School is Al-Huda School (1.9 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is Holy Redeemer School (1.3 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Holy Redeemer School
(Catholic)
4902 Berwyn Road
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 474-3993
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 474-3993
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 220 students Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
7009 Varnum Street
Hyattsville, MD 20784
(301) 459-7311
Hyattsville, MD 20784
(301) 459-7311
3.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 162 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Highland Park Christian Academy
(Baptist)
6801 Sheriff Road
Hyattsville, MD 20785
(301) 773-4079
Hyattsville, MD 20785
(301) 773-4079
5.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 176 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
2801 Belair Drive
Bowie, MD 20715
(301) 262-0578
Bowie, MD 20715
(301) 262-0578
6.8 miles
Gr: K-12 | 53 students
15002 First Baptist Ln
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 490-1076
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 490-1076
8.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 190 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
School Reviews
5 3/21/2025
We love FCS. They focus on building student confidence and student voice, and they are 56% students of color, which is exceptional for us as a Black family. The community of faculty, students, and parents is kind and welcoming. We just established an affinity group for parents of black children, and many great activities will be happening. We are seeing our child grow and thrive in a beautiful and affirming environment steeped in nature and community and learning to value all people across differences. Our child's academic progress has been very apparent this year as well, and we are getting quality feedback from the teacher on how to support at home.
5 10/28/2024
We are absolutely thrilled with this school for our daughter, who is currently in second grade. The small class sizes, wonderful teachers, and attention to the whole child have all helped our quiet/pensive child grow tremendously in confidence. If you have the opportunity, visit the school. The values and vibe are real and you can feel it on campus. It's a special place!
5 10/28/2024
My husband and I visited several schools and were impressed but felt like we were HOME within the first 10 minutes of the FCS Open House. Our daughter is thriving from both an educational standpoint as well as emotionally. I would highly recommend!!!
5 6/29/2020
This school is sooo great would recommend.
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