At a Glance
A Quaker IB High School Where Service and Self-Discovery Go Hand in Hand
Students who thrive in small, relationship-driven environments and are motivated by service and social impact. The IB program appeals to academically ambitious learners, while the Quaker framework suits students who value collaboration, reflection, and a school culture that prioritizes character alongside achievement. Best fit for families who want a college-prep experience rooted in values and community engagement rather than competitive achievement metrics.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program with college-prep rigor
- Required service learning for all 11th and 12th graders — not optional volunteer hours but structured engagement
- Quaker values woven into daily life: consensus decision-making, silent reflection, peace education
- Visual Arts, Music, and Dance programs integrated into the curriculum
- Small student-teacher ratios allowing for individual attention
- Located in a transit-rich neighborhood with easy citywide access
- Tuition of $62,750 places this among NYC's higher-cost private schools
- Application deadline is December 11 — families should plan ahead
- The school does not publish diversity statistics, so demographic composition is not easily assessed
- Quaker philosophy may feel unfamiliar to families without prior exposure to the tradition
- Service learning requirement is demanding but formative — families should weigh whether this commitment aligns with their student's capacity
A Quaker school with 140+ years of history in Brooklyn, now offering the IB Diploma Program to its upper school students. The Upper Division maintains the school's founding values — community, equality, peace — while preparing students for college through a student-centered approach that emphasizes interpersonal connections and social-emotional growth.
Families describe a tight-knit community where students feel known and safe. Teachers are praised for offering genuine individual attention, and the school's small size (typical of Friends schools) allows relationships to form across grades. The Quaker identity draws families who value intentional community and shared values.
Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill is a dynamic, evolving neighborhood where old Brooklyn brownstones sit alongside new high-rises. Lawrence Street places the school near major transit hubs (several subway lines, the Brooklyn Bridge), making it accessible from many parts of the city. DUMBO's waterfront and cultural spaces are within walking distance, and the area has become increasingly family-friendly with restaurants, cafes, and parks.
Highly walkable and well-served by subway lines 2/3/4/5/A/B/R at nearby stations. Families commuting from outer boroughs or Manhattan will find the location convenient, though parking can be challenging.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Parents express high satisfaction with the school. Reviewers describe the school as providing a joyful, play-based learning environment with excellent teachers who offer individual attention. Students feel a sense of safety and belonging. Notable mentions include strong language, English, and science programs.
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades 9 to 12 in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill.
- What grades does BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER serve?
- BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER?
- BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER public, charter, or private?
- BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER is a private school.
- What neighborhood is BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER in?
- BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL - UPPER is in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
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