Friends Seminary

Friends Seminary describes its teaching philosophy as a Quaker education that connects students’ spiritual, social, and intellectual growth. It emphasizes curiosity, imagination, keen observation, unhurried reflection, critical thinking, and clear expression, while grounding learning in silence, study, and service so students can put values like integrity, peace, equality, and simplicity into practice.

Friends Seminary directs families to apply in Ravenna by creating an account, submitting the Application for Admission with a $75 nonrefundable fee (with waivers available for financial-aid applicants and faculty/staff), and then scheduling the required interview/visit steps; Kindergarten and Grade 9 are the annual entry grades, while Grades 1-8 and 10-12 depend on attrition. (friendsseminary.org) For the posted 2026-2027 cycle, applications opened on August 25, 2025, the application deadline was November 17, 2025, financial-aid applications in Clarity were due December 15, 2025, and supplemental documents were due January 8, 2026. (friendsseminary.org) Requirements vary by grade: Kindergarten includes a student group visit, parent/guardian meeting, parent statement, and ISAAGNY confidential school report, while Grades 5-12 generally require a tour/interview, writing sample, current and prior school reports, current English and math recommendations, a graded English or History essay, and ISEE or SSAT scores for Grades 5-12. (friendsseminary.org) On waitlists, Friends says applications received after interview spots are filled are placed on an active interview waitlist, families applying after the main deadlines may be put on hold pending openings, interview waitlisted families are contacted as space opens, and applicants placed on the post-notification waitlist may remain active until the beginning of the school year. (friendsseminary.org) The main priority categories explicitly listed are the Early Notification groups for Kindergarten and Grade 9: children of current sibling families, current faculty and staff, alumni, and Members of the Religious Society of Friends. (friendsseminary.org)