Friends School Of Minnesota

Friends School of Minnesota is a K-8 independent Quaker school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
We offer a rich program rooted in progressive education where in-depth academic studies are supported by peaceful forms of conflict resolution.
We are celebrating 25 years. We are a diverse community with students from a broad range of religious and non-religious backgrounds, including eight percent from Quaker families.
We welcome ethnic and economic diversity; 31 percent are children of color and 34 percent of FSM families receive need-based financial aid.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • School Type: Alternative School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 146 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $13,850
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 18 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Friends School Of Minnesota ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Minnesota for:

Category
Attribute
School Resources

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Dyslexia / Language-based or Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
1988
Colors
White, Green
School Calendar
First Day of School
Mon. Aug 25, 2025

Student Body

Total Students
146 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
16%
State avg.: 22%
Students by Grade
Friends School Of Minnesota Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
13 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
35%
Average Class Size
18 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
2012-13 Tuition Kindergarten – Fourth $13455 Fifth and Sixth $13850 Seventh and Eighth $14720
% on Financial Aid
33%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$8,000
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Shane Zack
Application URL
Endowment Size
$50 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered
3 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
3 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
After School Music Program, Engineering Club, Spanish Club

School Notes

  • School Motto: Prepare children to embrace life, learning, and community with hope, skill, understanding, and creativity.
  • School Mascot: Falcons
  • Started by Quakers and peace activists in 1988, Friends School of Minnesota has a student body of 168 and a faculty of 20. In the tradition of the 80 Quaker Friends Schools across the United States, Friends School of Minnesota was founded to meet children's intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs in an environment that nurtures their social consciousness. "Our mission is to prepare children to embrace life, learning, and community with hope, skill, understanding and creativity. We are committed to the Quaker values of peace, justice, simplicity and integrity."
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Friends School Of Minnesota cost?
Friends School Of Minnesota's tuition is approximately $13,850 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Friends School Of Minnesota?
The acceptance rate of Friends School Of Minnesota is 90%, which is higher than the national average of 86%.
What sports does Friends School Of Minnesota offer?
Friends School Of Minnesota offers 3 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Soccer and Volleyball.
When is the application deadline for Friends School Of Minnesota?
The application deadline for Friends School Of Minnesota is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5  
FSM is simply the best school I''ve seen and experienced for my 2 children, and I have seen a great many. My children are happy to go to school in the morning, and are happy with school at the end of the day. The classes are small, well-organized, creative, nurturing, and are taught by highly engaged, highly educated teachers. We are not Quaker, but we love the Quaker values the school embodies. Somehow they have captured a "just right" feel meeting the developmental needs of the whole child (lots of outside time!) with a truly stimulating academic environment and curriculum. Their teaching is strong intellectually, individually, creatively, socially and emotionally. Wow, eh? It's the real deal.
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Quick Stats (2025)

  • School Type: Alternative School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 146 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $13,850
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 18 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Saint Paul, MN is $13,706 for elementary schools and $24,222 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Saint Paul, MN is 83% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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