Friends Seminary

Friends Seminary educates students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, under the care of the New York Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.
Through instruction and example, students follow their curiosity and exercise their imaginations as they develop as scholars, artists and athletes.
In a community that cultivates the intellect through keen observation, critical thinking and coherent expression, we strive to respond to one another, valuing the single voice as well as the effort to reach consensus.
The disciplines of silence, study and service provide the matrix for growth: silence opens us to change; study helps us to know the world; service challenges us to put our values into practice.
At Friends Seminary, education occurs within the context of the Quaker belief in the Inner Light – that of God in every person.
Guided by the ideals of integrity, peace, equality, and simplicity, and by our commitment to diversity, we do more than prepare students for the world that is we help them bring about the world that ought to be.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • Top Ranked NY School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 769 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $65,400
  • Acceptance rate: 92%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Top Rankings

Friends Seminary ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for:

Category
Attribute
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
Year Founded
1786
Campus Size
4 acres

Student Body

Total Students
769 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
23%
State avg.: 40%
Students by Grade
Friends Seminary Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
113 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
15 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Acceptance Rate
92%
National avg.: 81%
Endowment Size
$40 million

School Notes

  • School Motto: We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be.
  • School Mascot: Owls
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Friends Seminary cost?
Friends Seminary's tuition is approximately $65,400 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Friends Seminary?
The acceptance rate of Friends Seminary is 92%, which is higher than the national average of 74%.
What is Friends Seminary's ranking?
Friends Seminary ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for: Largest student body and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Friends Seminary?
The application deadline for Friends Seminary is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • Top Ranked NY School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 769 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $65,400
  • Acceptance rate: 92%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in New York, NY is $46,385 for elementary schools and $49,402 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in New York, NY is 57% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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