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 have ventured into New York and beyond, transforming sidewalks, museums, and institutions into spaces of inquiry and growth. Sixth graders deepened their study of The Diary of Anne Frank with a visit to the Center for Jewish History, where they stepped inside a life-size recreation of the Secret Annex—an experience made richer by English teacher Yuxi Lin’s firsthand research trip to Amsterdam. Eighth graders explored DNA at City Tech’s state-of-the-art labs, conducting forensic experiments aligned with their science curriculum. Upper School students in Advanced U.S. History learned how to navigate primary sources during a research trip to the New York Public Library’s main branch, while those in the Fashion, Dress, and Style class visited FABSCRAP to examine the life cycle of clothing and sustainability in the fashion industry. Meanwhile, students studying Spanish took their learning abroad to Barcelona, fully immersing themselves in Spanish language and culture through Friends’ growing exchange program. Others connected with peers from fellow Quaker schools at the inaugural NY Quaker Schools Conference, forming community through service and shared reflection. These wide-ranging experiences underscore Friends Seminary’s commitment to experiential learning, where the city—and the world—becomes a living curriculum.

The stories above were compiled by the Friends Communications Department. Follow Friends Seminary on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay connected.