We switched our second grader to Friends Western in February 2024 after it became apparent that it was a better fit than our school. We are coming to the end of the third-grade school year, and our third grader has experienced increased confidence, a lifting up of strengths, and targeted support in areas that needed growth. Even though this is a small community, I'm awe-struck at the dedication of both the administration and the teaching staff. The school's overall approach intertwines tried-and-true teaching techniques, evolving educational modalities, social justice, and the needs of the students. Their enrichment and exploration programs aren't boilerplate; they are well thought-out. At first, the parent participation seemed daunting. Still, I realized that while families of all beliefs comprise this community, the school's social-justice-inspired Quaker philosophies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship have made collaboration seamless. read more

Friends Western School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Pasadena, California

This has been such a wonderful school for our son Gavin. Honestly we don't know where we would be if we hadn't found this amazing place for our son. The community and care this school gives our child cannot be found in any other school. This is truly a gem of a school. Gavin is excelling and thriving here. read more

If you are looking for an inclusive, welcoming, inquiry-based school that offers a REAL sense of community and doesn't cost nearly as much as other Pasadena private schools, come visit Friends Western! My son is wrapping up his 4th year at FWS which is also my second on the Board. We started after a year of "Kindergarten homeschool" during Covid and are so happy that we found a small school in the Pasadena area that offers so many of the things we were looking for: developmentally-appropriate play (lots of outdoor time!), a dynamic inquiry-based approach to learning, and an inclusive community. I grew up in the Northeast, so I knew about Quakers as abolitionists and social justice activists, but wasn't sure what sending my kid to a Quaker school really meant. I was pleased to find that the school is not religious at all, but that Quaker values or "SPICES" (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship) are truly integrated into the spirit and fabric of the school. My son loves going to school, which is a huge gift to me and his husband who both hated school. He has his close friends, of course, but since it is such a small school, all grade levels interact and play together which is wonderfully sweet to see, but also research shows is beneficial for all ages. Our community includes a number of kids who don't fit in at other schools for a variety of reasons, and all the kids love, respect, and support each other in a really beautiful way. As a parent, that makes me feel hopeful for the future. As a board member, I have done a lot of volunteer work for the school by choice, but the co-op aspect is definitely manageable for most families, and the option to "buy out" of time obligations (without judgement!) makes it a flexible experience for everyone, and we work hard to keep it so much more affordable than virtually every other secular private school in the area. I love this school and community. I want more families to know about Friends Western, it is a truly special place and I wish we could stay forever! read more

We love Friends Western School! The school and community have been incredibly supportive of our family. The school and teachers have worked with our family to meet my daughter's needs in beautiful and multifaceted ways. We are really grateful to be here. read more

I've left not so adoring reviews in the past because of a bad hire done by zoom during our time with FWS years ago and the political yuckiness that ensued. That being said, I noticed that there are new teachers, new processes of governance and I'm really excited and hopeful that the fresh new ways will be able to restore what once was with even new resources for families we didn't have in the early days. With Tim as head of school/teacher and Cameron on staff I was so encouraged. I had to update my post about FWS. Working in a cooperative has its struggles because of, well....all the parents. There are often five families doing the lionshare of labor with oodles of others offering critique. Which can be frustrating, But I've also seen the magic that can happen when a group of inspired people come together and work towards a common goal. My kid is 18 now, and the biggest takeaway on the positive side from FWS is Teacher Tim's teaching ability and the overall goal of teaching students HOW to think and not WHAT to think. Wishing the new families and staff the greatest success! read more

Our daughter is finishing up kindergarten at Friends Western. We feel so lucky to have found this community. The small class size and extraordinarily hard working teachers made for a quick transition to online learning during the Covid crisis. My daughter has reading and math groups of 1-3 kids multiple times a week, morning Zoom meetings, arts and crafts and coloring meet ups. Teacher Kate has provided numerous video lessons and sends us fun websites and resources that are popping up. Teachers are also working with kids on an individual basis if they have trouble with the online platforms. The ethos of the school is lived every day. My daughter thinks about the importance of kindness and community. The kids learn to articulate what they are feeling which instills a level of maturity and confidence that is rare. Of course they are still kids and figuring out how to be in the world, but when co-oping I've seen some of them be so kind and understanding to other children (particularly the ones having a hard time). The teachers are fantastic and committed. In addition to Reading and Arithmetic, my daughter has had units on Geology, Geography, Space, Evolution, as well as Arts and Crafts, Spanish and Music. I was a bit nervous about all the parenting duties, but it hasn't been overwhelming. Every so often there will be a big event that requires a lot of work, and while it can be tiring, people always pitch in because they care. It's totally worth it. I got the feeling from other some families that the school went through a few organizational growing pains, but this was our first year with a new head of School and Teacher Kate heading up academics and I didn't feel like any of that was an issue. The leadership feels solid, the academics are strong. My daughter loves going to school here. We look forward to being back on campus with all our friends as soon as we can. read more

We came to Friends Western mid-Kindergarten. The school our son was at just wasn't what he needed, and the stress and sense of impending catastrophic academic failure led us to find something that actually worked for him. He is thriving at Friends. When we were experiencing stress, the Friends community was the safety net we didn't know we needed, let alone existed. He is making huge strides socially/emotionally and academically, which we attribute to the amazing staff and school community. read more

FWS has met and even exceeded our expectations! When we chose FWS, it was mainly for the class size (max. 7 kids in TK and max. 14 in other classes), for every single teacher's commitment to excellence, and for the very reasonable tuition. It was a top priority that FWS has regular, specialized instruction in visual art, music, theater, and what we old folks used to call "P.E." (Our "excellent" public elementary, instead, prioritizes typing and standardized test prep.) Friends Western has exceeded our expectations in a few important ways. The social-emotional curriculum and "responsive classroom" approach are key. Mixed-age classrooms and all-school activities are also of great value. The older children are unbelievably kind to the younger kids, without exception. My five-year old considers fifth graders and second graders among his best friends because they read with him, challenge him to matches in chess club, and hold his hand (when he wants a hand to hold) on their Monday walks to the library. When I talk to FWS students as a chaperone or yard volunteer, they're articulate, intelligent, spirited, and kind -- just like I want my child to be. They're engaged and happy -- just like I want my child to be. read more

This school is so wonderful ! My son is so engaged in what he's learning- he's lit up everyday. It's a big change for a kid that didn't want to go to charter school he was going to the year before. We thought- "how could our child hate school already?? He's only in kindergarten!!" So grateful we found this gem! read more

We switched our kids to Friends Western last year. Our kids had been going to the best public school in Silverlake, but my eldest son was miserable. Every year was worse, with huge classes, mountains of boring homework, and kids that were increasingly mean. Had he stayed at the school, he would have been the 39th kid in his fourth grade class. Instead, he's the 11th kid in a 4th/5th class. Friends Western has been TRANSFORMATIVE for him. He went from hating school and being so unhappy that one teacher told us to put him on anti-depressants, to loving school. For the first few months he literally thanked me every week. Why? Curriculum mumbo-jumbo aside, here are some concrete things that have made a difference for us: CLASS SIZE. Even private schools that cost twice as much can't match the class size at Friends Western. There are no more than 14 kids in a classroom, and often fewer. PLUS teacher's aides. A really small class size means teachers can focus on every child, helping those that are struggling as well as those that are ready to move ahead. Kids are less stressed. And teachers can give kids the freedom and respect that my son craved. SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL The kids are really nice to each other here, in large part because during playground time there is a wonderful instructor and multiple parents working with the kids and helping them negotiate conflict. Plus, all the teachers take time in the classes to work on social emotional development and any issues that come up. MOVEMENT The kids spend less time sitting at desks, and more time engaging with the world. This includes: monthly hikes, weekly walks to the local library, weekly theater and yoga classes, weekly park day where kids do sports for every kind of kid (even Quidditch for non-sporty types like my son). Even in the classes, the teachers incorporate regular movement breaks. LESS HOMEWORK Our last school started homework in kindergarten. It was tedious stuff, and it didn't work. Despite years of spelling homework, my son is a terrible speller. Friends Western has no homework until third grade, and then it's really interesting. He now has time for other interests, like reading. QUAKER VALUES This is NOT a religious school. But the Quaker values help provide a sort of moral compass for the school. Kids are given time to reflect on issues outside themselves, and find ways to give back to the community. And then there's the Co-op part. Honestly, this was the part I was least excited by. But the school works with parents to find a job that suits them. If you work full time in the day, you can join a committee that only meets at night. I've been able to help out on the playground once a week, and my kids love to see me at the school. I like being part of their school day; it helps me know whats going on with them. Another Yelp reviewer complained that the school feels like a Start-up. And there's truth to that, both good and bad. The school has only been a Co-op for 6 years (it was run by the Quakers before that). In that time it went from 8 kids to 48. And while every year great progress is made, there are still bumps. This September we hired a wonderful administrator which is helping a lot. But if you want to join a school where everything has been decided and figured out years ago, this is not the place for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for something truly different for your kids, where you can have real input, then come check out this amazing little school. read more

When I first found out about this school I thought I had stumbled on a hidden gem. However, having spent a year there in an involved role within the co-op I can tell you that things are not what they seem. The parent administrators running this school are not equipped to be in the business of managing the education of children. There is no one in charge, no one to hold accountable when something goes awry. We pulled our child out before the end of the school year due to a very serious incident that was poorly handled by the "administration" and Friends Western School proved to be an unsafe environment for him. But even if that horrible incident never happened we would not have returned. Here's a little taste of why - * After last year they lost half of the kindergarten class. Year after year the attrition is consistently terrible and for good reason. * They lost half of their teachers as well, including the Lead teacher. This isn't the first time there was a teacher exodus. * The school has students who are grade levels behind, something they won't tell you on the tour. I don't think I'm reaching when I say that this could have something to do with their complete lack of a solid educational plan. * They don't have anyone other than the teachers properly fingerprinted or live scanned as they are required to do by law. * They NEVER started the day on time, children were routinely unsupervised in the morning and during recess on a campus with several unlocked entry and exit points that lead to a very busy street and parking lot. They consistently lacked the appropriate number of parent volunteers for recess supervision, leaving Delonte, who is a saint, to supervise more children than possible. * As of 2015 they had no real business plan. They did a strategic planning retreat over the summer, but if the board and member meetings are any indication of their ability to affect actual change, I have little hope that they cemented a viable plan. BUT! they love psuedo-kindness, long winded meetings where nothing is ever resolved, and vision boarding, so there's that. The bottom line is you can't run a school with a "staff" of part time, unpaid parent administrators who refuse to hold themselves accountable. But if you are down for enlisting your child in what my experience has shown to be a wacky, unstable social/educational experiment then be my guest. But don't say I didn't warn you. I only wish someone had warned me. read more

Our son has proven to be above and beyond his grade level in math and other subjects and it's a school where they aren't told to just sit and listen. The kids chose to come and be in class as opposed to bells that scare them into getting in there on time. This is a rare gem in a city of our size. We drive farther than we would like to get him here but we can't pick it up and move it. The community that surrounds this school is incredible and the families who are now close friends help us out more than we could have ever imagined possible. It's really something unique. read more

FWS is a wonderful elementary school. Both of my kids, one of whom has already graduated, have gotten a stellar education that includes academics, the arts, outdoor ed, and explicit and implicit social-emotional learning. I love the fact that Friends Western is a Quaker school. My kids have been taught to understand that they are just one part of a larger community and that they can play an active role in that community through the Quaker SPICES, which stand for simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. I love that the school is grounded by these tenets. The fact that it is a cooperative school, but also now has a Head of School and duty buy-out options for families, has provided it a stability it's been needing for a while and now has. read more

Hi, i'm a student at friends western school and it's awesome!!!!!!! I remember 7 years ago when I first visited, I thought it was a normal school and I thought that for about another 3 years,And I loved it, at some point I found out it wasn't exactly like other schools some people said it was the best thing that ever happened to them I seen some kids come in from other schools saying it change their lives. FWS has been about half of my life at the time I'm writing this review, I take pride in this school, it's my school I'm graduating this year, and it's going to be the hardest thing I've ever had to do, I'm going to miss it so much. I've made almost all of my best friends there, it will always have a special place in my heart . veronica read more

We are grateful to have found FWS. We have two kids at the school and have been there almost four years. Though this is a Quaker school, most families are not Quaker. It means however, that the 6 Quaker values (including simplicity, peace and integrity) are part of the curriculum. The focus on academics and interpersonal skills at FWS is a unique combination -- one we searched for in looking for the right school. And when I say "community" I mean it. I moved to LA 20 years ago from the midwest without knowing a soul - FWS is a truly caring community (bringing meals to people who've had a baby or a loss in the family for example). Because, by its nature, a school is an organization with many members, it must juggle a wide range of people's wants and needs. Adding to that, this school is a co-op and each member is considered a stake-holder. All this means multiple things that are hard to summarize but I will try: The co-op means that the tuition is lower than another private school of this caliber. Because of that it means the school is dependent on all parents volunteering time every semester. Everyone (except teachers) who is running the school is a volunteer - giving their own time to try and help others and their children. Though FWS is up front about being a co-op, people can struggle to grasp this fully and not realize that if they have an issue, people are taking their own personal time to try and help resolve it. That said, I have never seen such a dedicated group of people focussed on providing a strong foundation for their children in a school. The founders of the FWS co-op did an amazing job of establishing a balance between academics and teaching skills like communication, leadership and conflict resolution. On the academic side... I had a strong educational upbringing with two parents involved in academics, yet I went to a school that spent time in nature, taking field trips, having hands on learning, etc. I know that strong academics and a child's enthusiastic engagement can go hand in hand and be fun. We felt strongly about having a balance between academics and enriched experiences that you don't find at a lot of schools but we did at FWS. Both of my children LOVE their teachers and their teachers are deeply and personally dedicated to their learning. Finding instructors this engaged began with the co-op founders and hasn't faltered from that mission. I could not be more impressed or happier with my childrens' teachers. On the interpersonal skill set side... The school focusses on developing these skills in the children. For example, teaching children the concept of community comes in school lessons but also through observation since the parents must come together due to the co-op nature (most parents are transformed by this experience as well, being forced to learn new life skills to help run a school!). Kids learn skills such as how to take turns speaking during a conflict so that everyone feels heard. My six year-old daughter is already putting these skills into practice. During a recent family discussion she suggested that not all discussions need to have a definitive decision - sometimes the discussion can be returned to at a later point once people have had a chance for reflection. Seriously, she talks about things like that. With all that said, this school is not for everyone. If you think the small size and the co-op aspect will allow you to have a say in every aspect of your child's day and schooling, this is probably not the best fit for you. The co-op depends on parent involvement as much as it depends on an acceptance and trust in a Quaker process which encourages open dialog with members and collective decision making. So... If you have an idea or an issue, it may or may not be embraced by the other members of the co-op. For some this process can be very difficult to accept. However, the process can be a rewarding experience and one that allows the parents to grow and learn along side their kids. This school is not just about your kids education but the education of us, as parents, in our abilities to work with others that have differing points of view. Though we're never all on the same page, I always appreciate all of the members and am constantly impressed by how much people care about creating a loving and inspiring school for their kids. Every school must deal with an entire student body, not just one family. So there will always be things that aren't 100% tailored to you. But, if education, community and life skills are qualities you are looking for, I recommend you come to an open house where parents are present to discuss and answer any questions. Alumni and current families, along with the past and present teachers at FWS, have nurtured an adventurous spirit and thirst for learning in my children. It is the only Quaker co-op school in the world. It's a pretty unusual school and we feel lucky to have found it. read more

Friends Western is a wonderful match for our family. Our daughter loves school and we are proud and excited to be members of a community of parents building a values-based environment for our children. We continue to marvel at the high adult-to-child ratio and focused attention to the children's needs throughout the day. Our daughter is thriving as a student and as a whole, well-cared-for growing person. When it comes to the volunteer hours, we find it important to pace ourselves and maintain a sense of humor. With those in hand, we relish being part of this unfolding, noble endeavor. read more

I'm giving FWS 5-stars for its exemplary teaching staff. My son started 3 years ago in the 1st grade and knew very little phonics having been at a play-based Kindergarten. Now as he wraps up the 3rd grade, he is at grade level, and he actually seems to enjoy writing, which was something my husband and I hoped for--he's always gravitated towards Math but shunned Language Arts. He also was just accepted to our school of choice for next year (we are moving), and he had to give a writing sample as well as do a one-on-one, 30-minute interview with the school administrator. We were pleasantly surprised how well he did on both accounts because adapting to new people, as well as writing, has been challenging for him. We can see how the work done, both academically and interpersonally at FWS, has contributed significantly to this outcome. The small classroom size has helped, but the dedication of his teacher, Tim, and his playground supervisor, Delonte, has been nothing short of heartwarming. Having taught for years myself in the PUSD, I know what a sacrifice it is for a teacher to give up his lunchtime and even weekend time in order to talk and/or email with me about how to best meet my son's needs and individual style of learning. This kind of access and attention has been the norm for us over the past few years, especially this year, and we are very grateful for this. Grateful these dedicated teachers have taken the time to get to know our child, who at times can be quite challenging, and not only accept him, but allow him to shine using his strengths. Grateful they haven't stopped there, but have helped him learn to see the gifts that others have to offer so he can truly connect and be part of a community. In regards to the safety issues a couple commenters have raised-- this just isn't the case for the majority of parents at our school. I have always felt my son was safe, and I'm hardly lackadaisical about such things. The parents and teachers are very dedicated to a student/adult ratio that is superior to any other school I have worked at or had my children attend, and when there's been a safety issue raised, parents and teachers come together with viable and sustainable solutions. I would encourage any parent curious about FWS to come see for themselves. Sign up for a tour or an Open House. Ask questions and see if this is the right place for you. Don't take the word of people who are disgruntled for things outside of the school's control. I would hate for a family whose child would thrive at this very special place to miss out on the opportunity! read more

I am another parent who was very happy with our experience at the school. I have a very sensitive child who is a bit of a "canary in a coal mine" when it comes to group educational experiences--if the class is not a happy place, this affects her greatly. Two (very expensive) preschools were basically negative experiences for her. Teacher Tracey's class at FWS was the first educational experience she had that made her happy and, in my opinion, really helped her grow as a human being and gain confidence. I think this comes down to the small class sizes and the school-wide environment of kindness, caring and intense respect for children. As for academics, well, my daughter is an advanced reader. We have since moved her from FWS to a much much more expensive and established private school (more on that below), and in the area of reading I will say that our FWS experience was far better: Teacher Tracey did more to customize a curriculum to her ability level than our current much-better-resourced school has done. This school is DEFINITELY not for everyone. The co-op structure, small size and low tuition mean it is not for people who need a school to be a well-oiled machine or just don't have the time or energy to devote to the co-op project. There are also some parents out there who are more vigilant about things like safety than I am, and I can see FWS not working for those: the campus is unlocked, and I think most parents who are happy at the school are those who have chosen to err more on the side of giving their children freedom and independence. And I want to address the attrition issue other reviewers have raised because we were part of it: FWS charges much, much lower tuition than other private schools. This means that the school often attracts families who would do public school if they had a good public option and then loses those families when they get off of charter school waitlists. The recent opening of several high-quality charter schools in Pasadena and northeast LA has therefore taken its toll on enrollment. For us, the issue was geography (we live quite far away and found another attractive option that was just much closer to home). In short, yes, there is a lot of attrition, but the majority of it is not because parents were disgruntled enough with the school to uproot their kids. read more

My son is in his third year at Friends Western School and it has been such a wonderful experience for us all. It is a real community where parents, teachers and children work together. Because it is small, each child's academic needs are met. You don't need to be a Quaker to attend, and it isn't a religious school by any means. Some of the Quaker values (peaceful resolution, simplicity, love of nature) are instilled. The students hold weekly 'business meetings' and learn peer mediation. read more

My two boys are students at FWS, and I could not be more pleased with their progress. Project based learning, field trips, hikes. It's because of these elements, and the enrichment programs that has them eager to go to school everyday and discover the world. I could have only dreamed to of had this when I was young. Kudos to the teachers and families of Friends Western School. You've created something really special!!! read more

My son just finished his first year at this school. He loves going to school. We are so impressed with the teachers. They are highly creative and the multi-disciplinary approach is incredibly effective. I feel like my son learning by living his education, instead of by drill and repetition. He has always had a good imagination, but it is soaring in this environment. The morning are quite traditional, with the basic subjects covered. The afternoons are all about applying multiple disciplines while learing a variety of topics. I am also impressed with the parents. There are an interesting variety of professionals who are generous with their time and talent. Parent involvement is high and facilitates many of the extras in the school. read more

This will be my son's third year at FWS. We were first interested in a progressive education for our child. It was by chance that we heard of FWS. We then took a tour and spent a morning in the classroom, and my son loved it. From our experience, FWS has provided a perfect blend of progressive and developmental education approach, which I believe is an amazing program for almost every child. The school also provides outstanding extracurricular activities, such as drama, music, yoga, and hiking, while keeping its tuition affordable. The school became a co-op last year and we have benefited so much from parents' passion and talents. The bottom line is our son loves the school and our family loves FWS community. read more

This is our second year at Friends Western School, and we are so grateful to have found this little gem of a school where our 2 children love learning and are happy and thriving. We wanted a school where our children would get a lot of individual attention and care, and we found it here. The small class size is a tremendous advantage that doesn't exist anywhere else in LA. The teachers my children have had are talented and caring and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure our kids get exactly what they need. No school is perfect, including this one, but the advantages so outweigh the disadvantages that I need to give the full 5 stars. The teachers have innovative project-based programs that engage the students in many capacities. There are frequent school hikes and field trips that take advantage of the many learning opportunities in our area outside of school. High parent involvement means that the community truly feels like a family, especially to the children. My children are sad when the weekend or holidays come and they can't go to school. So what are the disadvantages? Well, anytime a group of parents get together to work on their children's education, there are going to be challenges. Passions run high, and people don't always agree on what is best (anyone who has ever been at a PTA meeting knows what I am talking about). As a democratically run co-op, the parents at Friends Western make all the decisions about the school's direction and how it is run, and it is inevitable that there will be some who don't agree with the majority. On the whole, though, I have found that this group of parents are easy to get along with and work tirelessly to provide the school they want for their children. One of the advantages to being a parent-run co-op is that anyone can propose a new program or policy directly to the whole group at any time. If it's something that appeals to the majority, then you can get it implemented right away. At any other school, public or private, this process would take a lot longer, if it happened at all. read more

Our children will be graduating this year (twins) and after 6 years at FWS it will be hard for our family to leave this wonderful school. Our children have loved every day of their elementary education. We are grateful, knowing that they are prepared and have the confidence and skills to do well when they move on to middle school. Our kids are different learners. One needs more supports in academics and the other has struggled with shyness. Both have had their individuals needs met and been given supports and challenges as necessary. Our child who needed academic support is at or above grade level in language arts and math and has developed a strong work ethic. Our child who needed social support is confident and outgoing and able to befriend anyone. If you are looking for a community centered school where children are seen holistically check out FWS! read more

As a mother of three children and a former school teacher one thing I know for sure is that all children learn and develop in their own way and time. Another thing I know is that there are many school choices and many different types of people out there, every school is not for everyone. My family has been at FWS for 4 years and we love it. Our children are thriving, we have had the independently assessed and they are beyond grade level in many academic areas. Emotionally they are confident, have empathy and compassion for self and others, a strong sense of belonging and have maintained a good balance of social and solitude time. The classroom environment that the accomplished teachers at FWS provide aid in strengthening their social and emotional well being. Our family has found a wonderful community of friends that are like family to us in this big city! I highly recommend checking out this school if you are looking for a responsive innovative approach to education. read more

Our son graduated from FWS, and has transitioned wonderfully to his new middle school. FWS provided him with an intimate learning experience, tailored to his abilities, punctuated by field trips and camping trips that he will always remember fondly. read more

Just wanted to update our last review. After leaving FWS, moving to another state and choosing to attend a rigorously academic middle school, our daughter has taken all she learned at FWS and is excelling! We received her mid-year grades today and could not be more pleased. The skills she learned at FWS shaped her into a fine student and a wonderful human! With all of the choices in the Greater Los Angeles area, Friends Western School is the best by far! read more

Excellent small school where teachers really get to know your child as an individual learner. Community atmosphere, terrific outdoor ed program, parent participation is fun and flexible. Project-based learning is deep and meaningful. We are so glad we found it!!! read more

FWS has been an amazing experience for my daughter (9) who has been attending for the last two years. She has grown into a confident, out going and socially aware young lady. She is having FUN learning and surprises me every day with her math and writing/reading skills, as well as her knowledge (and interest) of history, science and so many other subjects. They also have a business within her class where they apply what they've learned in math and study marketing and all aspects of business management. Art, yoga, P.E., drama and specialty clubs every week, including monthly hikes. The teachers here are top notch AND connected to each child, which ultimately was very important to our family. The classes are small and intimate. We are very happy and, more importantly our daughter loves school. read more

After researching and talking with many families in our search for a new school, we grew concerned about Friends Western School's high turnover rate. The majority of families we spoke with were initially impressed by the student to teacher ratio. Of those we spoke with so far, ten families either transferred to other schools or returned to home schooling once they experienced the reality of FWS first hand. Their preliminary research, prior to enrollment, didn't yield sufficient information to make properly informed decisions. Issues most often noted by both current and former parents include an array of governance problems stemming from the absence of an objective principal/school director. They found a lack of organizational transparency, reckless student behavior unparalleled with what they experienced at other schools previously attended or subsequently enrolled in and a teaching staff overburdened (despite the impressive ratio and educational theory) by the high number of students with discipline problems / special attention needs. The overall compounding factor is the parent run board struggling to keep serious leadership misconduct from being exposed. read more

Friends Western School is the best thing that could have happend to us ! Our son ( 5th grade) rediscovered the love of learning and comes home with a big grin on his face and stories to tell.FWS is what school should be all about. read more

My son has just begun his third year at FWS and he couldn't be happier! This school facilitates an enthusiasm and excitement for learning that I have yet to see at any other schools I have toured in the area. The children are happy, and actually love coming to school! Programming includes weekly yoga and art lessons from contracted teachers. A unique feature is the Outdoor Education program, which allows children to go out "into the world" (hiking, trips to musuems, JPL, gardens, etc) two times per month. Trips are planned so as to reinforce the multi-disciplinary learning experiences which are presented in weekly "in-sessions". A liberal arts education for elementary school children. Teacher ratio averages 1:7! Visit and find a very happy little school! read more

Friends Western School is a gem. The teachers and head of school are the most hard working, caring educators I have ever encountered. Their individual approach to teaching has resulted in a school full of kids that love to learn. It is a wonderful community to be a part of. read more

If you are looking for a place where your child can grow and be part of a wonderful community this is the school for you! After trying public school and becoming very disillusioned we found a home here not only for our daughter but for the whole family. The curriculum is colorful and creative and the children learn joy in learning. We can highly recommend it - please come and visit one of our open houses to see for yourself! read more

I am an alum who went to Friends Western for seven years. It was the best environment to propel me through primary school. I am now at a rigorous middle school in Pasadena and I have straight A's. Friends Western is so good because you can do so many things, theater, yoga, physical education, art, and after-school clubs once a week. These clubs include gymnastics, cooking, chemistry, pinewood derby cars, Pokemon, Dungeons and Dragons, chess, and foreign languages like French and Spanish. The teaching staff is excellent, teachers, Karen, Brooke, Tim, and Jenny are absolutely wonderful and all the kids love them. The theater teacher Leilani is possibly the most kind and patient person in the world, making sure that every student gets to do what they want in the play, whether it is off or onstage. There is at least one hike every month, going to places like Hahamonga, Eaton Canyon, Monrovia Canyon, Malibu, Earnest E. Debbs nature park, and the Santa Monica Mountains. FWS also has field trips every month to places like JPL, Olvera Street, Watts Towers, and a gold rush town recreation in Castaic. Every student who has left have been prepared for their new schools but always say that nowhere quite compares to FWS. read more

Friends Western School has given my daughter such an amazing foundation for her life. Yes, I said life. The teachers and staff are BRILLIANT and make the time for every student (14 max per class!) Every aspect of her being is met, whether it's socially, academically, spiritually or emotionally. With project and inquiry based learning... these kids are learning (not to mention having so much fun) and they don't even realize it! The kids have art, music, yoga, theater and amazing clubs like Karate, cooking, fashion design, Spanish (the list goes on and on) every week! They are taught inclusion, sportsmanship, team building and how sit quietly and look within. There is no Red, Yellow, Green behavior system displayed to shame your child. It's such a lovely environment for any child to grow. She never wants to miss a day of school and never wants to leave at the end of the day. We are so pleased, thank you FWS! read more

I have two children at FWS. This is our fourth year there. We are very happy, but more importantly, our children are happy. The teachers are conscientious, creative and hard-working. The student body is friendly and connected. Families that are interested in FWS are generally looking for their children to be nourished and educated holistically and the school provides this. Our children have yoga, meditation, field trips, monthly hikes, drama, art and music as well as weekly enrichment clubs that the kids get to select (such as: fashion, lab, engineering, and kenpo). The language arts, math, science and history curriculum is excellent as well and teachers work hard to assure that each child is firmly grounded in these areas. My children are different learners and I feel confident that they are both receiving the supports and challenges that best serve them. The students social and emotional development is also deeply considered. We are grateful to have our children spend their formative years in an environment that both awakens a love of learning and nurtures their sense of integrity and confidence. read more

I was a student at FWS between 2009-2014 and the second I stepped in that school I already felt like it was my second home. The kids there were very nice and they all had great spirits. It's such a small community that even the parents know your name. When I was there there were a total of 35 students. All of the teachers from different grades have a great attitude with the kids. When I started my 5th grade year we would sit down either on the floor or in our seats talking about what we were going to do that day. And what's also great is that every Thursday we would walk down to a local park about 5 minutes from our school. And we would either play football, soccer, basketball or just have fun on the play structure for at the most an hour. FWS has prepared me mentally and physically for middle school. And because of that, I got into one of the best middle schools in LA county. Everyone got to go to their first choice middle school because of FWS. read more