Oakwood Friends School

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Oakwood Friends School Founded in 1796, Oakwood Friends School is the first coeducational college prep school in New York. Oakwood rings out with voices.

Throughout campus, student voices fill the air. We foster an environment where students are encouraged to try without fear and learn without apprehension. In classrooms, the voices of primary texts from many cultures and eras mix with the voices of students interpreting those texts and forging new ideas. At athletic contests, many voices become one to support and lead one another. Oakwood was founded on Quaker principles that emphasize the importance of individuality, not uniformity. Our vibrant community life nurtures the academic, athletic, artistic, and spiritual voice in each student. The collective power of Oakwood is dependent on the sum of all of our voices; we can't wait to get to know yours.

Happy World Quaker Day! 🕊️For over 200 years, Oakwood Friends School has been rooted in Quaker values of simplicity, pea...
10/05/2026

Happy World Quaker Day! 🕊️

For over 200 years, Oakwood Friends School has been rooted in Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. These values guide us in creating an environment to nourish and respond to the unique gifts of each student.

"Friends Schools teach young people, from all walks of life, habits of heart and mind, so that they may go forth to create a more just and peaceful world."
-Friends World Committee for Consultation - FWCC World Office

We are grateful for the support of New York Yearly Meeting and glad to host Poughkeepsie Friends Quaker Meeting at Oakwood every Sunday. The values, insights, and living work of the Quaker movement continue to support us in our mission to educate and strengthen young people for lives of conscience, compassion and accomplishment.

When a Nor’easter hits the Hudson Valley, our community wakes up early and runs in Rhinebeck! 🌧️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️Our Day and Boar...
10/01/2026

When a Nor’easter hits the Hudson Valley, our community wakes up early and runs in Rhinebeck! 🌧️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Our Day and Boarding students were up early to staff the water stations and cheer on runners at the Rhinebeck 5K and Half Marathon. They brought incredible energy to the course, keeping runners fueled and cheering everyone on through the wind and rain. At miles 5, 10, and the finish... Oakwood was there!

Meanwhile, XC Coach Sue ran the Half Marathon, and Athletic Director Morgan took on the 5K! 💪

We even got to reconnect with former Oakwood faculty member and ESL teacher Michael Sklaroff, who was crushing the 5K on his hometown course.

A wet, windy morning, but a great day to show up for our community! 💙

Last week, Oakwood Middle School students traveled to The Met Cloisters in upper Manhattan to bring their History and Ge...
10/01/2026

Last week, Oakwood Middle School students traveled to The Met Cloisters in upper Manhattan to bring their History and Geography studies to life. Exploring art and artifacts from 500–1500 CE, students deepened their understanding of the cultures of Europe and the Americas through firsthand experience beyond the classroom. Thanks to our amazing Middle School faculty for planning such an engaging experience!

This past weekend Oakwood students headed to University at Albany for the 9th Annual Albany Book Festival, where they ha...
09/30/2026

This past weekend Oakwood students headed to University at Albany for the 9th Annual Albany Book Festival, where they had the opportunity to hear from some of today’s leading authors.

English faculty member Aaron brought AP English Literature students and residential students to the festival, where they attended several panel discussions, including a conversation featuring renowned authors Carol Gilligan and Gish Jen.

Experiences like these invite students to listen, ask questions, encounter new ideas, and bring those ideas back into the classroom and into their own lives. It’s another way our students are encouraged to find their voices as readers, thinkers, and engaged members of the wider world. Thanks to Aaron for leading the trip!

We’re so proud of Oakwood students Max and Ra, whose philosophical writing has been published in Questions: Philosophy f...
09/23/2026

We’re so proud of Oakwood students Max and Ra, whose philosophical writing has been published in Questions: Philosophy for Young People, a journal published by PLATO - Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization.

Questions is unlike any other journal. It is the only journal in the world dedicated to publishing philosophical work by young people. Each year, students of all ages are invited to respond to the same philosophical question, offering a fascinating look at how young people at different stages of development think, question, and engage with big ideas.

We’re especially excited to see Max and Ra’s voices represented in this year’s issue and to celebrate their thoughtful work.

Read Max and Ra’s submissions here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zcs-YySGtmudb6h4lcmp9ypcMcup43j0/view

The school year is in full swing! 🏫It's hard to believe it's already been over a week since orientation, but we wanted t...
09/22/2026

The school year is in full swing! 🏫

It's hard to believe it's already been over a week since orientation, but we wanted to take a moment to share some highlights from that first gathering. Orientation is a special reunion after summer, giving students a chance to reconnect with friends, welcome new classmates, enjoy some sunshine, and get ready for the year ahead. It was a beautiful day of sharing as everyone asked the eternal question 'what did you do this summer'?

Students learned about electives, reviewed their schedules, selected sports, and met with their advisors. We're grateful for these moments and that chance to enjoy that last slice of summer as we now settle into our routines! Here's to a great year at Oakwood!

Throwback to a little over a week ago when we welcomed our Middle School students to campus for Orientation and an ice c...
09/21/2026

Throwback to a little over a week ago when we welcomed our Middle School students to campus for Orientation and an ice cream social!

For some students, it was a chance to reconnect with friends. For others, it was a first opportunity to meet classmates and begin getting to know their new Oakwood community. Together, students learned about all things Middle School, from what a typical day looks like and advisory assignments to academic expectations, sports and wellness options, and, of course, where to find the fun!

Now starting our second week it is great to see our students feeling included and engaged from the very beginning. We look forward to building our Middle School community throughout the year! Here's to a great year ahead!

Today is International Day of Peace, a time to pause and reflect on what peace looks like in our community and in the wo...
09/21/2026

Today is International Day of Peace, a time to pause and reflect on what peace looks like in our community and in the world around us.

At Oakwood, we believe peace begins with listening, understanding different perspectives, and treating one another with dignity and respect. Every day, our students are encouraged to find their voices, engage thoughtfully with the world, and consider how they can contribute to a more just and peaceful future.

May we all choose peace in our classrooms, our communities, and beyond.

To all who observe, we wish you a meaningful Yom Kippur. May the year ahead be filled with love, peace, and renewal. ...
09/20/2026

To all who observe, we wish you a meaningful Yom Kippur. May the year ahead be filled with love, peace, and renewal.

Address

22 Spackenkill Road
Poughkeepsie, NY
12603

Telephone

+18454624200

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