A Letter from Rebecca
Dear Friends, As you will read in this first issue of the new school year, autumn is off to a great start on 16th Street. In this issue, you will read about topics ranging from a new Grade 9 course requirement on Quaker values and practices to the launch of more than 40 clubs in Upper School. The newly appointed Interim Head of School, Rich Nourie, has been given a warm welcome. Rich brings the wisdom of more than 40 years of Quaker educational experience and deep expertise i
A Joyful Close to the Year at Friends Seminary
As another school year comes to a close, Friends continues to honor its cherished traditions while embracing new ones. Across all...
Bold Steward of a Mission in Motion | Celebrating Bo Lauder
After 23 years of stewardship to Friends Seminary—as the longest-serving principal/head of school in the institution’s 239-year history—Robert “Bo” Lauder retires from leading a community that speaks more loudly in its pursuit of justice, dreams more boldly, stands on firmer ground, and reflects a vibrant culture as layered and complex as the world around it.
What the Caterpillars Taught Us | Celebrating Courtney Retzler
In Courtney Retzler’s classroom, wisdom grew wings. Released early in gratitude, this feature will appear in our next print issue of...
Remembering Staff Emeritus Gordon Hulse
With deep sadness, we share the passing of our beloved friend, Gordon Hulse, August 10, 1945 - July 3, 2025.
Reflecting on Year One of the Renovated Annex
A highlight of 2024-25 for Upper School was the successful renovation of the Annex. Home to Math, Science and the Performing Arts,...
The City as Classroom: Expanding Learning Beyond the Walls of Friends
At Friends Seminary, the city is more than just a backdrop—it’s an extension of the classroom. This spring, students across divisions...
Bearing Witness: A Deepened Study of The Diary of Anne Frank in Middle School English
This spring, Grade 6 students at Friends Seminary have been engaged in a powerful and multifaceted exploration of Anne Frank: The Diary...
Inspiring Inquiry: NYPL Visit Prepares Students for Capstone History Projects
As part of the lead-up to their culminating independent research projects, Susannah Walker’s Advanced U.S. History students took a...
Where Language Meets Life: A Joyful Immersion in Spanish Culture
A boat tour of Barcelona’s bustling port, a guided visit to Antoni Gaudí’s breathtaking Sagrada Familia, and an excursion to the...
Friends Students Connect at Inaugural NY Quaker Schools Conference
On March 3, eight Upper and Middle School students — William K. '27, Michael '27, Adela '28, Gloria '28, Maya '29, Theano '29, Mila '30,...
A Stylish Lesson in Sustainability
Students in Susannah Walker’s Fashion, Dress, and Style class visited FABSCRAP in Brooklyn — a nonprofit tackling textile waste by...