Princeton Friends School

Progressive Quaker Education

The Princeton Friends School admissions process is designed to allow us to get to know you and your child as deeply and completely as we can in a short time. It is a multi-step process, requiring:

An online application that asks questions about your child and your family.
A teacher recommendation from the current school year; a personal recommendation from an adult who knows your child well; and, for children applying for first grade and above, a school transcript. These documents are mailed or emailed to the school directly.
A casual playgroup or interview with your child and a parent interview.
A half- or full-day school visit, for children entering first grade and up only.

Submit an Application

Please begin by going to the online application . You will be asked to create an account for your family that will allow you to submit one or multiple applications. As we receive recommendations, and as you complete the interviews and visits, your progress will be noted on your account.

Applications are due on January 30. The first round of admissions decisions are communicated by a post on your parent admissions portal and a personal letter on or around March 10. Applications received after January 30 will be considered if there is space in that class.

If you do not have access to a computer, please call the admissions office to request a paper application sent to you by mail.

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

Q: What happens at a school visit day?

After the interviews, students entering 2nd to 8th grades are invited for a one- or two-day school visit. Rising 1st graders visit with our Kindergarteners for a half-day. This visit gives us a chance to get to observe prospective students in the classroom and for those students to experience a school day at Princeton Friends. Visiting students are asked to bring a snack, a lunch (if staying for the full day), and be dressed in clothes to play. Visitors should plan to arrive at 8 a.m. and check in with the Director of Admissions in the main Schoolhouse. Pick up is at 3:20 to 3:30 p.m. outside of your child’s advisory.
Q: When and how will I be notified about admissions decisions?

Admissions decisions are communicated by both a personal phone call and by letter on or around March 10th. Financial aid decisions are sent out by email and mail around the same time.
Q: What happens during school interviews?

After the applications are received, our teachers conduct interviews and playgroups with students and parents in the month of February. While the students speak with teachers, parents attend a question-and-answer session with our Head of School, other administrators, and parent representatives. Students applying for pre-kindergarten to second grade will attend a small playgroup, where teachers and administrators will spend time getting to know each child as they play, read, and talk with one another. Students applying for grades three to eight will be invited to attend two, short interviews with teachers. They will then attend our After School Program while the same teachers interview their parents. Our interview and playgroup sessions run from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday afternoons. These interviews are casual conversations and allow both the family and school to get to know one another better.

If, for whatever reason, you cannot attend a scheduled interview session, we will find other ways to conduct a personal interview for you and your child.
Q: What if my application is later than January 30th?

While we would prefer all applications to be submitted by January 30 to allow the most time to get to know your child, we understand that circumstances can come up. Please contact the admissions office to discuss your situation. If there are unfilled spots in a class, we will continue to accept applications until the class is full.

“I’ve learned how to strongly state opinions on difficult topics while still being respectful. I’ve overcome many academic struggles, like how to study effectively for a test, write more efficient vocabulary sentences, take good margin notes in literature, and write a strong essay for a timed quiz…I’ve learned to accept humility and ask for help.”

-Kai Amali Clarke James, class of 2014