Friendship Center

The Friendship Center at Schooley's Mountain is the very firstInter generational Child Care Center in Northwest New Jersey.
Thecenter is a model for other child care groups pursuing the intergenerational child care concept.
The Friendship Center wasconceived over a decade ago when members of the Heath Village Boardof Trustees saw a promising opportunity a chance to provide aunique learning and development experience for the children whileenriching the lives of Heath Village residents at the same time.That opportunity was inter generational childcare in a retirementcommunity setting.
With so many working parents and families sodispersed, the kind of individual attention that children needcould often not be adequately provided in a traditional day carefacility.
Why not draw on the rich pool of caring adults at HeathVillage who would be eager to volunteer their time to making eachchild seem special With the help of a grant from the Lorna W.Reynolds Children's Development Fund, The Friendship Center openedits doors in 1992 and was an immediate success.
Before the firstyear of operation was complete, the Friendship Center was at fullcapacity with a waiting list (a status that it has enjoyedcontinuously since), was receiving top ratings for the quality ofits childcare, had drawn the participation of dozens of seniors,and was on a solid financial footing.
Since that time, theFriendship Center has doubled its physical size while maintainingits maximum enrollment at 42, has been the subject of an awardwinning video (The Friendship Center Experience) and numerousmagazine and newspaper articles, and has continued to attractinterested visitors looking to us as a model they can emulate intheir own facilities.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
  • Grades: Prekindergarten
  • Enrollment: 7 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten
Year Founded
1992
Summer School Offered
Yes

Student Body

Total Students
7 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
29%
State avg.: 39%
Students by Grade
Friendship Center Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
1 teacher
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling

School Notes

  • The Friendship Center at Schooley's Mountain is the very firstInter generational Child Care Center in Northwest New Jersey. Thecenter is a model for other child care groups pursuing the intergenerational child care concept. The Friendship Center wasconceived over a decade ago when members of the Heath Village Boardof Trustees saw a promising opportunity a chance to provide aunique learning and development experience for the children whileenriching the lives of Heath Village residents at the same time.That opportunity was inter generational childcare in a retirementcommunity setting. With so many working parents and families sodispersed, the kind of individual attention that children needcould often not be adequately provided in a traditional day carefacility. Why not draw on the rich pool of caring adults at HeathVillage who would be eager to volunteer their time to making eachchild seem special With the help of a grant from the Lorna W.Reynolds Children's Development Fund, The Friendship Center openedits doors in 1992 and was an immediate success. Before the firstyear of operation was complete, the Friendship Center was at fullcapacity with a waiting list (a status that it has enjoyedcontinuously since), was receiving top ratings for the quality ofits childcare, had drawn the participation of dozens of seniors,and was on a solid financial footing. Since that time, theFriendship Center has doubled its physical size while maintainingits maximum enrollment at 42, has been the subject of an awardwinning video (The Friendship Center Experience) and numerousmagazine and newspaper articles, and has continued to attractinterested visitors looking to us as a model they can emulate intheir own facilities.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline for Friendship Center?
The application deadline for Friendship Center is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

Endorse Friendship Center. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
Endorse this school:

Recent Articles

Parents' FAQs About Private School
Parents' FAQs About Private School
For parents considering private school education, navigating the process can be overwhelming. From tuition costs to admission requirements, understanding the essentials makes a world of difference. This FAQ-style guide addresses the most common questions parents have when exploring private schools, helping families make informed, confident choices.
Pre-AP, PSAT/NMSQT, BlueBook, and More
Pre-AP, PSAT/NMSQT, BlueBook, and More
This article explains the College Board's programs designed to prepare middle and high school students for the SAT. It covers Pre-AP courses, and the PSAT Suite of Assessments, highlighting how these programs use technology to enhance learning.
Independent Schools in Africa
Independent Schools in Africa
Discover Africa's vibrant international education landscape with our comprehensive guide to private K-12 schools across the continent. From British and American curricula to French, German, and niche language programs, explore how expat families can find world-class education tailored to their needs. Learn about boarding and day schools in South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and beyond.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
  • Grades: Prekindergarten
  • Enrollment: 7 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Request Information

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in New Jersey is $16,103 for elementary schools and $21,738 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in New Jersey is 78% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

Related School Videos

Quick Links