United Friends School ends middle school program

PENNSYLVANIA — The United Friends School, an independent K-8 Quaker school and the place where the UFA was founded, has announced that it will no longer offer instruction for the sixth, seventh, and eight grades, instead prioritizing preschool and K-5 education.

United Friends School

This announcement marks the end of an era. UFS has taught middle schoolers since 1987, according to the school's website. The class of 2026 will be the last graduating class, and sources indicate that it will consist of only three people. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, there will be no middle schoolers. It is unclear whether the fifth grade will be eliminated along with the other grades currently classified as middle school or reabsorbed into the elementary school.

UFS is known for its unique curriculum that emphasizes social justice, community stewardship, and Quaker values. Students are taught standard subjects such as science, humanities (English and social studies), and math, as well as art, music, Spanish, robotics, and Quakerism.

During the 2020s, the school faced many challenges. A combination of factors including lack of enrollment may have contributed to the termination of middle school programs. DEMOCRACY! News is not authorized to determine the precise series of events that led to the decision at this time.

The United Friends School has added the following announcement to their website:

Dear United Friends School Community,

As valued members of our beloved community, we are writing to share an important update about the future of United Friends School. We know our school holds a meaningful place in your life, and we share this news with care, respect and awareness of the feelings it may bring forward.

After months of thoughtful reflection on our philosophy, mission and the long-term well-being of our school, the Board of Trustees has decided to end our middle school program at the conclusion of this academic year. This means that after the 2025-26 school year, United Friends School will no longer offer 6th through 8th grade classes and instead will focus exclusively on early childhood and elementary education.

As a Board charged with overseeing the long-term strategic direction and stability of UFS, we did not make this decision lightly. This transition, while difficult, is a direct response to the shifts we have seen in both our school and in the community. In recent years, UFS has experienced a surge in growth through 5th grade due to growing community demand for more access to quality, early childhood education. In contrast, families must evaluate several targeted options as their children approach higher grade levels. This has resulted in a decline in enrollment in 6th through 8th grade, and we recognize our middle school program is no longer financially sustainable.

Now that we have determined the path forward to best serve our community, we have directed Head of School Daena Remondelli to lead this charge, and we have full confidence in our leadership team to guide the school through this transition with sensitivity and purpose. In making this decision, we sought to balance clarity and compassion and to center on what children need most in their early years — an educational environment where young learners feel supported, curious, safe and deeply known.

While we are confident in this direction, we recognize that moving away from middle school education represents a significant change that may bring about mixed emotions. We are committed to supporting our community throughout this transition, and we will be working with impacted families and faculty members to discuss placement support and next steps. Our goal is to ensure students have a stable learning environment and continue to receive a quality UFS education. As we near the end of this school year, we will share plans on ways in which we will celebrate our current middle school students and honor the program’s history.

We remain guided by the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace and social justice, integrity, community, equality and stewardship and care for the Earth. These values shape every classroom experience and steer us forward as we make these decisions that strengthen UFS’s future.

Thank you for your support, your trust and your belief in this community.

With care and appreciation,

United Friends School Board of Trustees 

 

It is unknown what the future holds for UFS. Currently, it seems that UFS will continue offering classes for preschool through fourth grade and potentially fifth.