Friends Academy
Friends Academy is a nonprofit, AISNE-accredited independent school in North Dartmouth, MA, serving 212 students (Early Childhood through Grade 8) from 36 communities in southeastern MA and Rhode Island, with a specialized Sally Borden Program for language-based learning differences, 40+ summer day camps, and external Sally Borden Connect tutoring and teacher training services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1810
- HeadquartersNorth Dartmouth, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Friends Academy does
Friends Academy is a private, nonprofit, AISNE-accredited independent school founded in 1810 and operated from a 65-acre campus at 1088 Tucker Road, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The school serves 212 students from 36 communities across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island through three core academic divisions: Early Childhood (ages 3-4) at a dedicated Farmhouse facility using a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach; Lower School (Kindergarten-Grade 5) following the Responsive Classroom framework; and Middle School (Grades 6-8) focused on executive functioning and secondary school preparation. The school also operates the Sally Borden Program, an integrated Orton-Gillingham-based curriculum for students with language-based learning differences including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and runs 40+ summer day camps for ages 3-16 across Summer Friends, Creative, Enrichment, Sports, and SBP Academic categories.
The business model relies primarily on annual subscription-style tuition (Kindergarten through Middle School averaging $19,200-$23,260 per student per year) supplemented by need-based flexible tuition administered through the Clarity platform, with approximately half of families receiving individualized rates. Secondary revenue streams include summer camp registration through CampBrain ($300-$500/week plus Surround Care), extended-day and after-school care, Sally Borden Program tuition ($25,000-$32,900), the donor-supported Friends Academy Fund (annual giving, processed via Givebutter), and external-facing services under the Sally Borden Connect brand (virtual and in-person tutoring, educational assessments, and Orton-Gillingham teacher trainings). Go-to-market is sales-led through rolling admissions, inquiry forms, virtual tours, monthly Welcome Wednesday events, and direct outreach by the Director of Enrollment.
The technology stack is predominantly third-party SaaS: Blackbaud mySchoolApp for student information, learning management, and admissions; Clarity for flexible tuition assessment; CampBrain for summer program registration; Givebutter for fundraising; and Zoom for virtual Orton-Gillingham training. There are no proprietary AI/ML systems, no disclosed research output, and limited app or API surface. Strategic differentiation rests on the school's credentialed faculty, its 215-year operating history, regional AISNE accreditation status, specialized Sally Borden methodology, and the physical 65-acre campus footprint, rather than on technology products.
Friends Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Friends Academy
- Legal name
- Friends Academy
- Website
- https://friendsacademy1810.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1810
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Friends Academy is a nonprofit, AISNE-accredited independent school in North Dartmouth, MA, serving 212 students (Early Childhood through Grade 8) from 36 communities in southeastern MA and Rhode Island, with a specialized Sally Borden Program for language-based learning differences, 40+ summer day camps, and external Sally Borden Connect tutoring and teacher training services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Friends Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent K-8 Private Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special Needs & Learning Differences Private Schools (EDAJABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB), Transition-to-College/Independence Skills Tutoring for Learning Differences (EDANAFAJ), Special Needs-Inclusive Early Learning Academies (EDACADAI)
Keywords
Where Friends Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Dartmouth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Friends Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Tuition - Regular Programs: Annual tuition for Early Childhood through Grade 8 programs. Ranges from $15,200 for Early Childhood mornings to $33,200 for Middle School. Approximately half of families receive flexible tuition rates.
- Summer Camp Programs: 40+ summer day camps for ages 3-16 including Summer Friends, Creative Camps, Enrichment Camps, Sports Camps, and Sally Borden Program Academic Camps. Week-long and multi-week sessions with rates from $300-$500/week plus surrounding care options.
- Extended Day and After-School Care: Optional after-school program until 5pm, early arrival care starting 7:30am, and chef-made school lunches available for additional fees.
- Donations and Annual Giving: Friends Academy Fund annual giving campaign bridges gap between tuition and actual cost. Accepts major credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, checks, appreciated securities, corporate matching gifts, and planned gifts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Early Childhood (Ages 3-4) - Mornings Only |
| Subscription | Annual | Kindergarten |
| Subscription | Annual | Lower School (Grades 1-5) |
| Subscription | Annual | Middle School (Grades 6-8) |
| Subscription | Annual | Sally Borden Program Grades 3-8 |
| Subscription | Annual | Sally Borden Program Bridge (Grade 2 and earlier) |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Friends/Little Friends Day Camp |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Creative, Enrichment & Sports Camps |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | SBP Academic Camps (6-week session) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Surround Care (Before/After Camp) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Friends Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Friends Academy operates an independent, AISNE-accredited private school serving 212 students ages 3-14 (Early Childhood through Grade 8) on a 65-acre North Dartmouth, MA campus, with small class sizes, Responsive Classroom and Reggio Emilia-inspired approaches, and a specialized Sally Borden Program for students with language-based learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia). The school supplements core academics with 40+ summer day camps for ages 3-16, after-school extended day care, and Sally Borden Connect external services including tutoring, educational assessments, and Orton-Gillingham teacher trainings. Approximately half of enrolled families receive flexible tuition, and the school is funded through tuition, summer program fees, and charitable donations via the Friends Academy Fund.
Product overview
Friends Academy is an independent private school (Early Childhood through Grade 8) accredited by AISNE, offering a comprehensive educational portfolio centered on its core academic programs (Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School) and the specialized Sally Borden Program for language-based learning differences. The school extends its reach through summer programming (40+ day camps for ages 3-16 including Summer Friends, Little Friends, CIT, Creative Camps, Enrichment Camps, and Sports Camps) and Sally Borden Connect services (tutoring, assessments, and teacher trainings). The academic programs use the Responsive Classroom approach and Reggio Emilia-inspired methods, while the Sally Borden Program employs Orton-Gillingham structured literacy instruction. Summer camps run June-August on the 65-acre North Dartmouth campus, with Specialty Camps offered in creative arts, enrichment (science, coding), athletics, and academic support for students with dyslexia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sally Borden Program (SBP): Integrated program for students with language-based learning differences including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia
- Sally Borden Connect
- Summer Programs
- The Farmhouse
Products and services
- Early Childhood Program Preschool/pre-kindergarten program for children ages 3-4 located at the Farmhouse facility, using a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach with play-based learning and outdoor exploration on the 65-acre campus. Tuition $15,200 per year for mornings (8am-12pm) with optional Extended Day at $1,375 per weekday.
- Lower School (Kindergarten-Grade 5) Elementary school program (Kindergarten through Grade 5) with small classes and hands-on projects, following the Responsive Classroom approach with equal focus on academic skill-building and social-emotional development. Average annual tuition $19,200 (Kindergarten) to $21,450 (Grades 1-5).
- Middle School (Grades 6-8) Middle school program for Grades 6-8 shaping students into leaders with emphasis on executive functioning skills, mock interviews, and preparation for secondary school placement. Average annual tuition $23,260 per student with flexible tuition ranging $8,500-$33,200.
- Sally Borden Program (SBP) Integrated academic program for students in Grades 2-8 with language-based learning differences including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, using Orton-Gillingham structured literacy and science-backed literacy approaches. Average annual tuition $32,900 (Grades 3-8) and $25,000 (Bridge, Grade 2 and earlier).
- Sally Borden Connect Virtual and in-person dyslexia services for external students and educators, including one-on-one tutoring, small group classes, educational assessments, screenings, and accredited Orton-Gillingham teacher trainings/workshops.
- Summer Friends Day Camp Original day camp for ages 3-16 offering traditional camp activities including crafts, sports, music, water play, science experiments, and nature exploration with weekly themes, field trips, and special guest presentations. Full Day (9am-3pm) $450/week; Half Day (9am-12pm) $300/week.
- Little Friends Day Camp Preschool day camp for ages 3-4 located in the Farmhouse, providing a safe, nurturing first summer camp experience with age-appropriate outdoor and indoor activities.
- Counselor in Training (CIT) Program Three-week leadership development camp for teens ages 14-16, providing experiential learning for future camp counselors, educators, and community leaders at $1,215 for the three-week session.
- Creative Camps Week-long specialty camps focused on creative activities including art, crafts, games, design, sewing, music, dance, and nature for students entering Kindergarten through Grade 8. Full Day (9am-3pm) $500/week; Half Day (9am-12pm) $300/week.
- Enrichment Camps
Companies that use Friends Academy
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Friends Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature3 records
Friends Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Challenger SportsminorInternational soccer camp provider bringing top-level soccer coaches to Friends Academy for week-long soccer camps during summer. Camps open to children entering Kindergarten through Grade 9 with half-day and full-day options.
- Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club (RIFAC)minorFencing academy provides trained instructors for week-long fencing camps at Friends Academy. Camps teach basics of fencing focusing on coordination, concentration, self-esteem, resilience, and integrity.
- Orton-Gillingham AcademycoreFriends Academy's Sally Borden Connect offers Orton-Gillingham training courses accredited by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. Training includes Classroom Educator Level (30 hours) and Associate Level (70 hours) with optional practicum.
- ClaritycoreThird-party platform used by Friends Academy to determine flexible tuition rates by assessing family financial circumstances including income, assets, expenses, debts, and number of dependents.
- Reggio Emilia ApproachcoreEducational philosophy partner/approach for Early Childhood program. Empowers students to use natural curiosity to observe, research, analyze, ask questions, and solve problems.
- Lloyd Center for the EnvironmentminorCollaborative Art campers explore the Lloyd Center in South Dartmouth and create large-scale art piece highlighting the center's values and mission.
- Mystic AquariumminorSummer Friends campers visit Mystic Aquarium during 'Under the Sea' theme week as part of weekly field trip program.
- Providence PlanetariumminorSummer Friends campers visit Providence Planetarium during 'Blast Off' theme week.
- Providence Children's MuseumminorSummer Friends campers visit Providence Children's Museum during 'Mad About Science' theme week.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Friends Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Moses Brown School: Independent Quaker school in Providence, RI serving grades nursery through 12. Comparable as a regional independent school with Quaker heritage, competing for the same southeastern MA/RI family pool.
- Lincoln School: Independent school in Providence, RI serving nursery through Grade 12. Comparable regional independent school competing for Rhode Island families in the same catchment area.
Direct peers
- Landmark School: Independent school in Beverly, MA specializing in students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Directly comparable to Sally Borden's specialized LD curriculum and Orton-Gillingham methodology.
- The Carroll School: Independent school in Waltham and Lincoln, MA serving students with language-based learning differences, including dyslexia. Directly comparable to Friends Academy's Sally Borden Program in mission, methodology, and student profile.
- The Forman School: Independent boarding/day school in Litchfield, CT for students with ADHD, dyslexia, and executive function challenges. Comparable in its specialized college-prep curriculum for learning-different students.
- Eagle Hill School: Independent school in Hardwick, MA serving students with language-based learning disabilities, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. Closely mirrors Friends Academy's Sally Borden Program population and intervention approach.
Broad incumbents
- Dexter Southfield: Independent school in Brookline, MA serving Early Childhood through Grade 12. Comparable in its broad EC-12 independent school model and as a regional competitor for southeastern New England families.
- Buckingham Browne & Nichols: Independent PreK-8 (and 9-12) school in Cambridge, MA. Comparable as a high-end New England independent EC-8 institution competing for similar metropolitan-Boston families.
- Shady Hill School: Independent PreK-8 school in Cambridge, MA with a long-established progressive pedagogy. Comparable to Friends Academy as a New England independent EC-8 school, though without the specialized dyslexia program.
- Fenn School: Independent boys' school in Concord, MA serving Grades 4-9. Comparable as a New England independent middle-school program competing for similar higher-income families in the broader Massachusetts market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Friends Academy social profiles
Digital presenceFriends Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Friends Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Friends Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Friends Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Friends Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Friends Academy
What does Friends Academy do?
Friends Academy operates an independent, AISNE-accredited private school serving 212 students ages 3-14 (Early Childhood through Grade 8) on a 65-acre North Dartmouth, MA campus, with small class sizes, Responsive Classroom and Reggio Emilia-inspired approaches, and a specialized Sally Borden Program for students with language-based learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia). The school supplements core academics with 40+ summer day camps for ages 3-16, after-school extended day care, and Sally Borden Connect external services including tutoring, educational assessments, and Orton-Gillingham teacher trainings. Approximately half of enrolled families receive flexible tuition, and the school is funded through tuition, summer program fees, and charitable donations via the Friends Academy Fund.
Is Friends Academy a public or private company?
Friends Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Friends Academy founded?
Friends Academy was founded in 1810. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Friends Academy based?
Friends Academy is headquartered in North Dartmouth, United States, in the North America region.
How does Friends Academy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition - Regular Programs are the primary driver. The others are summer Camp Programs, extended Day and After-School Care and donations and Annual Giving.
Who are Friends Academy's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Moses Brown School and Lincoln School. Direct peers are Landmark School, The Carroll School, The Forman School and Eagle Hill School. Broad incumbents are Dexter Southfield, Buckingham Browne & Nichols, Shady Hill School and Fenn School.
Does Friends Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Friends Academy.
What industry is Friends Academy in?
Friends Academy's product category is Independent K-8 Private Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAH, Special Needs & Learning Differences Private Schools, with a secondary code of EDAKAAAB, Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.