Friends Academy

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.

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

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

• Private K-8 education
• Independent school
• Summer day camps
• Dyslexia tutoring
• Early childhood education

Headquarters

HQ city

North Dartmouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Challenger SportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFencing 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 AcademycoreTechnology or IntegrationFriends 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.
• ClaritycoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-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 ApproachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational 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 EnvironmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative Art campers explore the Lloyd Center in South Dartmouth and create large-scale art piece highlighting the center's values and mission.
• Mystic AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Friends campers visit Mystic Aquarium during 'Under the Sea' theme week as part of weekly field trip program.
• Providence PlanetariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Friends campers visit Providence Planetarium during 'Blast Off' theme week.
• Providence Children's MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Friends campers visit Providence Children's Museum during 'Mad About Science' theme week.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/friendsacademy1810
• Instagraminstagram.com/friends1810

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Friends Academy