Oakwood at a Glance

Situated on a picturesque, coed campus, infused with nature, surrounded in all directions by cultural enrichment, entertainment, and dining venues, Oakwood Friends School prepares students for lives of achievement, accomplishment, compassion, and conscience. The Oakwood experience, guided by Quaker principles, is summed up by the acronym SPICES:

Simplicity • Peace • Integrity • Community • Equality • Stewardship

Founded in 1796, Oakwood was the first co-ed college preparatory school in New York State. At every grade, classes focus on depth over breadth, stressing the development of well-considered analysis over factual recall. Students typically characterize life at Oakwood as caring, warm, accepting, engaging, nurturing, “family” and “home.”

The 55-acre campus of Oakwood Friends School is located on the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York – an integral part of the historic Hudson Valley region and one of the most picturesque areas of the United States – only a 90-minute train ride from New York City’s Grand Central Station via the Hudson Line.

Oakwood actively strives to instill in students an ethic of service while encouraging them to think for themselves. In seeking to fulfill its mission, Oakwood Friends School:

• Provides rigorous academic preparation based on primary texts and hands-on learning. Respects the mind and imagination of students, and focuses on intellectual skills and habits.

• Encourages powerful thinkers whose abilities are nurtured through artful teaching, thoughtful assessment, and individual attention.

• Fosters an accepting environment based upon the Quaker principle that each individual is worthy and capable of meaningful insight and truth.

• Provides an array of opportunities in the arts, athletics, and learning experiences beyond the campus to encourage creativity, self-expression, cooperation, and teamwork.

• Guides students toward the responsibilities of community life and community involvement, through leadership and service both on the campus and beyond,

• Creates and sustains a vibrant residential and educational community that embraces students in grades six through twelve as well as faculty and families representing every stage of life and a diverse range of experiences, backgrounds.

The Oakwood Friends School community is made up of students of many different faiths. Spirit is alive on campus and is open to the religious beliefs and practices of all.

In short, Oakwood is firmly committed to its long-standing goal of supporting an inclusive, diversified community of students and staff in an atmosphere of mutual respect and enrichment. Oakwood Friends School provides equal opportunity in the administration of its admissions, educational, and hiring practices.

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