Brooklyn Friends School, founded in 1867 by the Religious Society of Friends, positions itself as producing graduates who become “compassionate, curious, and confident global citizens.” Whether this mission justifies the investment depends partly on what families prioritize.
Parents drawn to Brooklyn Friends School often seek more than academic preparation. They want an environment that emphasizes character development alongside intellectual growth. The Quaker values known as SPICES—Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship—permeate daily school life.
Notable Alumni Outcomes
Brooklyn Friends School has produced graduates who achieved distinction across multiple fields. John Knowles Fitch founded Fitch Ratings, one of the major global credit rating agencies. Francine Prose built a career as a celebrated novelist, essayist, and literary critic, serving as president of PEN American Center. Stacey Plaskett serves as the U.S. House of Representatives Delegate for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Adam Yauch, known as MCA of the Beastie Boys, attended Brooklyn Friends School before achieving fame as a musician and filmmaker.
These examples represent diverse fields—finance, literature, politics, music—suggesting that Brooklyn Friends School does not funnel graduates toward predetermined paths. The commonality lies in how alumni engage with their chosen work rather than which careers they select.
Academic Performance and Distinguishing Features
Brooklyn Friends School reports that 100% of graduates gain acceptance to four-year universities. The school became an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the IB Diploma Programme to eleventh and twelfth grade students. College admissions officers recognize IB credentials globally, with over 300 U.S. universities accepting IB course credit.
Brooklyn Friends School differentiates itself through features that families value differently, influencing how they determine if Brooklyn Friends School is worth it. The weekly Meeting for Worship brings the entire school community together in silence, with anyone free to speak if moved to do so. Classroom arrangements frequently use circular formations rather than traditional rows, reflecting pedagogical philosophy emphasizing dialogue over lecture.
The school’s methodology for conflict resolution employs restorative practices rather than punishment. Head of School Crissy Cáceres rejects the term “bullying” in favor of “mistake making,” acknowledging developmental realities while holding children accountable. During her tenure beginning in 2019, zero students have been asked to leave for behavioral reasons.
Parent Perspectives
Brooklyn Friends School serves families from all five boroughs of New York City. The geographic diversity reflects the school’s reputation beyond its immediate downtown Brooklyn location. Parents make significant logistical commitments—lengthy commutes, complex scheduling—suggesting they find value justifying these inconveniences.
The school’s commitment to diversity manifests in student demographics. Racial and ethnic diversity, combined with socioeconomic diversity through financial aid, creates a student body reflecting broader New York City demographics more closely than some peer independent schools.
Parents considering Brooklyn Friends School’s worth frequently compare it to other Brooklyn independent schools including Packer Collegiate Institute, Saint Ann’s School, Berkeley Carroll School, and Poly Prep. The distinguishing factors center on culture and values rather than academic rigor, which remains high across these schools.
Long-Term Value and Faculty Quality
Head of School Crissy Cáceres articulates a measure of success that extends decades beyond graduation. “The measure of our success is who they are as 30, 40, 50, 60-year-olds in the world, it’s who they are and continue to be in relation to the privileges that they hold,” Cáceres states. “All of us hold privileges in different ways, the question is, how are they utilizing it?”
Brooklyn Friends School employs educators who have received national recognition. Frank Cabrera, Director of College Counseling, received the Inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Award from the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools in 2021. History teacher Vlad Malukoff received the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award the same year.
Brooklyn Friends School continues to focus on its stated mission—producing graduates who engage with the world through lenses of justice, compassion, and service. Families seeking this outcome, who value small class sizes, progressive pedagogy, values-based education, and diverse community, often find the investment worthwhile.
“Be the light. See the light. Shine the light,” is the Brooklyn Friends School motto. “If we want to be global changemakers, we must start with ourselves.”
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