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Training, Facilities, Initiatives Music, Sports, Drama
 Students enjoy a number of after-school activities at Friends School.
Virtually all students are involved in at least one activity, and most commit themselves to two or three. Orchestra and private music lessons are offered, both after school and during the school day. Sports are coached by both Middle School and Lower School teachers and include field hockey, soccer, girls’ and boys’ basketball, track and softball. Our drama program, led by the Lower School Spanish teacher, Sophie Ragone, is on-going throughout the year, with a drama presented in the Fall, and a full-scale musical in the Spring.
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Interscholastic Sports Program
Our interscholastic sports program offers Middle School students the opportunity to compete in soccer, field hockey, basketball, softball and spring track. The program stresses the value of being a good teammate through cooperation and unselfishness. The sports program recognizes the need for Middle School students to develop their athletic skills through participation and experience.
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Student comments
The drama productions give people a chance to be involved in a big way. A lot of times, people end up being more confident after they’ve worked on one of the productions and have seen what they can do. It changes people, even those who never thought they would act.
Being involved in the school’s drama program is a great experience. The spring musicals are always a lot of fun with crazy and exciting props and sets (that we make ourselves). Acting at this school provides you with a chance to step outside of yourself and away from the pressures of school and other things.
I look forward to sports every year. You don’t have to feel bad if you are not the best in any of the sports or that you are inferior. It’s just having fun. There are no try-outs and no cuts. It’s great to interact with your friends this way.
I joined the basketball team this year and have learned a lot. It is hard, but a good experience to be on a team.
I joined the basketball team a few weeks ago. It is a great environment to be in, because everyone is supportive. Also, you don’t have to try-out, so everyone who would like to play can. It’s great for everyone to have a team like that because, even if you just started and don’t feel like you’re too good, everyone cheers for you.
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Middle School Academic Advisory System
Every teacher in the Middle School serves as an advisor to a small group of Middle School students. Time is set aside in the schedule each week for advisee groups to meet. During this period, an advisor will check in with his or her students to make sure that they are completing assignments on time, and to hear any concerns that they might have.
A small group of students also volunteer prepare special topics for discussion during advisee period. These discussions tackle important social or cultural issues either directly related to school, or regarding the broader world.
As a mixed age group, advisee time also allows students from different grades and classes to know one another better, thereby strengthening the overall sense of community in the Middle School.
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Student comments
I like our Advisee groups because each Middle School teacher gets a couple of kids from each grade, so that everyone gets to talk to people of other grades. Sixth graders are able to ask questions about 7 th grade, and 7 th graders can ask about 8 th grade. When you are in Advisee, you can talk about stuff that is happening around the world and problems that people are having.
You get to do activities or skits together, and while doing them you learn something. You eat lunch together on Friday.
Advisee period is good because you get to know more people and learn all about them.
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