The Friends School of Atlanta

What The Friends School of Atlanta does

The Friends School of Atlanta (FSA) is a private, nonprofit, Quaker independent school operating a single campus at 862 Columbia Drive in Decatur, Georgia, serving approximately 132 students across PreK3 through Grade 8. Founded in 1991 as the only Quaker school in Georgia and one of 78 nationwide, the school delivers a values-based progressive education grounded in the Quaker SPICES framework (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship), with a 12:1 average student-teacher ratio and a student body that is 52% students of color, supported by a 41% tuition-assistance rate. The core academic product comprises three divisions—Little Friends (PreK3–PreK4), Elementary School (K–Grade 4), and Middle School (Grades 5–8)—supplemented by co-curricular special areas (Innovation Lab, Spanish/Latin, Visual Arts, Music, Gardening, Physical Education), after-school clubs, learning support services, extended-day care, and a high school placement program.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual tuition subscriptions ($15,147 for PreK3 to $28,815 for Grades 5–8 in 2026-27, plus $500 instructional and $250 technology fees), with secondary streams from summer camps ($300/week, 60+ themed offerings open to the broader community), extended-day drop-in fees, facility rentals, and a diversified fundraising portfolio including the Annual Fund and the Apogee Georgia School Choice Scholarship Fund. The school's go-to-market is admissions-driven and event-led, executed through the Ravenna application platform, recurring parent tours and Open Houses (December–February), and credentialed memberships with SAIS, AAAIS, and the Friends Council on Education. Operational infrastructure is built on standard independent-school SaaS—Finalsite for the website, FriendsNet for the parent portal, Blackbaud for financial aid and donor management, and UltraCamp for summer registrations—with no proprietary technology or AI/ML components disclosed.

Name

The Friends School of Atlanta

Legal name

The Friends School of Atlanta

Website

https://friendsschoolatlanta.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Friends School of Atlanta is a nonprofit Quaker independent school in Decatur, Georgia, serving approximately 132 students in PreK3 through Grade 8 through a values-based progressive curriculum, with 41% of families on tuition assistance and a 12:1 student-teacher ratio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic/School-Readiness Preschools (EDACABAB)

Keywords

• Independent school education
• Quaker K-8 education
• Private preschool education
• STEAM summer camps
• After-school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Decatur

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for PreK3 through Grade 8 students. Tuition varies by grade level, ranging from $15,147 for PreK3 to $28,815 for Grades 5-8 for the 2026-27 academic year. 41% of families receive tuition assistance.
2. Summer Camps: Weekly STEAM-inspired day camps offered across eight weeks in June and July for rising kindergarteners through rising eighth graders at $300 per week. Additional revenue from aftercare at $80 per week.
3. Extended Day Program: Aftercare services from 3:15-6 p.m. with drop-in rate of $20 per day and discounted rates for families receiving tuition assistance.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Annual Fund, Apogee Scholarship Fund, Quaker Education Fund, Legacy of Light Fund, Waman French Scholarship Fund, and planned giving programs. School is a 501c3 organization with tax-deductible donations.
5. Facility Rental: Indoor and outdoor spaces rented on campus when available for non-FSA related activities through the Business Office.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Friends School of Atlanta delivers a PreK3 through Grade 8 independent school education rooted in Quaker SPICES values (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship) through three divisions — Little Friends, Elementary School, and Middle School — supplemented by Summer Camps, Extended Day aftercare, After-School Clubs, Learning Support Services, and High School Placement guidance. Programs emphasize small class sizes (12:1 ratio), differentiated instruction, diversity (52% students of color), and accessibility (41% of families on tuition assistance).

Product overview

The Friends School of Atlanta is a Quaker independent school offering a unified educational program for PreK3 through Grade 8 students. The core educational product consists of three division programs—Little Friends (PreK3-PreK4), Elementary School (K-Grade 4), and Middle School (Grade 5-8)—delivered through differentiated, developmentally-based instruction rooted in Quaker SPICES values (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship). The school supplements its core academic program with co-curricular offerings including Innovation Lab, Spanish/Latin language instruction, Visual Arts, Music and Movement, Gardening and Environmental Education, Creative Dramatics, Health, and Physical Education. Additional products and services include Summer Camps (60+ STEAM-themed weekly camps), Extended Day Program (before/aftercare), After-School Clubs, Learning Support Services, High School Placement support, and Service Learning. The school operates on a 1:1 Chromebook program for grades 3-8 and uses Ravenna for admissions, Blackbaud for financial operations, and Finalsite for its website platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Little Friends (PreK3-PreK4) Full-day preschool program for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds in a loving learning environment with developmentally appropriate curriculum emphasizing learning readiness, play, and introduction to Quaker SPICES values. Annual tuition is $15,147 for PreK3 and $19,890 for PreK4 (2026-27); Little Friends applicants are not eligible for tuition assistance.
• Elementary School (Kindergarten - Grade 4) Academically challenging elementary curriculum (Kindergarten through Grade 4) with small student-teacher ratios, differentiated instruction, conflict resolution, creative problem solving, and meditation. Annual tuition is $23,970 for Kindergarten and $27,387 for Grades 1-4 (2026-27); eligible for tuition assistance.
• Middle School (Grade 5 - Grade 8) Middle school program (Grades 5-8) meeting the educational and emotional needs of early adolescents, fostering study habits, academic growth, individual creativity, community activism, and successful high school placement. Annual tuition is $28,815 for Grades 5-8 (2026-27).
• Summer Camps

Quantifiable outcome

• 52% students of color - among the most diverse of any independent school in the Southeast
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cherry Street EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCherry Street Energy helped install solar panels on the FSA campus, reflecting the school's commitment to stewardship and sustainability. The solar installation serves as a living classroom for students to learn about real-world sustainability.
• Amphibian FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns Critter Camp on FSA campus for its 12th year, offering science-based reptile and amphibian education. A separate organization from FSA providing hands-on experience with tropical and Georgia native species for conservation education.
• Apogee Georgia School Choice Scholarship FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState-approved 501c3 nonprofit SSO (Student Scholarship Organization) allowing donors to contribute and receive dollar-for-dollar credit on Georgia State taxes. Partnership enables increased tuition assistance and school diversity.
• RavennacoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline application system hosting all admissions applications, registration forms, and admissions events registration from October through April enrollment season.
• BlackbaudcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides financial aid application system (Blackbaud Financial Aid) and donor management platform for the school's tuition assistance program and fundraising efforts.
• National Wildlife FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarden certified by National Wildlife Federation as part of FSA's environmental education program, demonstrating commitment to wildlife habitat and environmental stewardship.
• Monarch WaystationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSA garden certified as Monarch Waystation for butterfly conservation education and environmental learning.
• Birds Georgia Wildlife SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSA garden certified as wildlife sanctuary by Birds Georgia for environmental education purposes.
• Eco-Schools GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSA garden certified by Eco-Schools Global for environmental learning and sustainability education.
• SAIS - Serving and Accrediting Independent SchoolscoreOthersMember of SAIS, an association of independent schools. FSA abides by AAAIS Principles of Best Practice for admissions, including common admissions procedures and notification policies.
• Friends Council on EducationminorOthersNational organization representing Quaker schools. FSA is one of 78 Quaker schools nationwide and aligns with Friends Council educational philosophy on service learning and civic engagement.
• Atlanta Friends MeetingcoreOthersThe Quaker community that founded FSA in 1991. Members played significant role in Civil Rights Movement and desegregating public schools. School emerged from committee at Atlanta Friends Meeting. Board aims for 50%+ Quaker representation.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Woodward Academy: Large Atlanta-area independent PreK-12 school and AAAIS member. Competes directly in the same metro market with substantially larger enrollment and broader programmatic offerings.
• Sidwell Friends School: Washington D.C. Quaker PreK-12 school and the most prominent Quaker school in the U.S. A broader incumbent with much larger endowment, broader brand recognition, and full K-12 offering versus FSA's PreK-8 model.
• The Westminster Schools: Large Atlanta-area independent K-12 school and AAAIS member. Competes for the same admissions pool and donor base with significantly larger scale and resources.
• The Lovett School: Prominent Atlanta-area independent K-12 school and AAAIS member. Competes for the same Atlanta families with a much larger endowment and brand presence.

Direct peers

• Friends Seminary: New York City Quaker PreK-12 school. Direct Quaker peer sharing SPICES values-based pedagogy, Silent Meeting practice, and urban Quaker educational tradition.
• Paideia School: Progressive, non-Quaker independent PreK-12 school in Atlanta with similar progressive pedagogy, DEI emphasis, and parent-driven values-based community. Most direct Atlanta-area peer given overlapping philosophy and catchment.
• The Galloway School: Atlanta-area independent school with progressive, individualized instruction philosophy and similar small-class ethos. Comparable mission and target demographic in the same metro market.
• Friends Select School: Philadelphia-based Quaker PreK-12 school and member of Friends Council on Education. Closest Quaker peer in mission, pedagogy, and governance model (board representation by Religious Society of Friends).
• Brooklyn Friends School: New York City Quaker PreK-12 school with similar size, mission, and Friends Council affiliation. Closest peer in terms of small-school Quaker independent school economics.
• Friends Central School: Suburban Philadelphia Quaker PreK-12 school aligned with Friends Council on Education. Direct peer in Quaker values integration, SPICES-aligned curriculum, and DEI-centered admissions philosophy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thefriendsschoolofatlanta4544
• Facebookfacebook.com/FriendsSchoolOfAtlanta
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fsatl
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsschoolofatlanta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 The Friends School of Atlanta