UFS was founded as a cooperative school in 1983 by a group of parents and caregivers seeking an independent education for children based on the Quaker principles of care for one another, truthfulness, simplicity, community, and peaceful resolution of conflict. They sought to create a school where parent involvement would not only be welcomed, but expected. United Friends School began under the sponsorship of Lehigh Valley Friends and Richland Friends Monthly Meetings, and with the formation of a Board of Trustees. A year later, the school opened with one teacher and twelve students in Kindergarten through Third grade in the basement of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.
United Friends School purchased Bingham Hall, originally Quakertown’s first high school, on 20 South Tenth Street. The purchase allowed United Friends School to expand. Teachers and administrative staff were hired and new classrooms serving grades Fourth through Sixth grade were established.
The school grew quickly, and by the 17th year had over 100 students in Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Middle School. United Friends School needed a larger space to encompass the growth and purchased a separate campus in Trumbauersville, Pennsylvania. The school’s sponsorship included Unami, Doylestown, Richland, and Gwynedd Monthly Meetings.
The Board of Trustees approved the Unification Project, which included the purchase of two buildings at the current location on 1018 West Broad Street in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, and the original school on 10th Street in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, which is now the Middle School. A “link” building was constructed to connect the two buildings with the Unification Project. United Friends School was no longer divided between two campuses and gained five new classrooms; a Science lab; a library with computer stations; a Music room; the “Big Room” used for Physical Education, Meeting for Worship, and assemblies; and multiple administrative offices.
With continued dedication to students and academic integrity, United Friends School embarked on a major campaign called Raise the Roof to fund the renovations. These included creating a high-tech Middle School, redefining classroom space for Preschool and Kindergarten, providing wireless internet throughout the school, installing interactive whiteboards, enlarging the Music and Art rooms, and much more.
United Friends School celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a special celebration attended by alumni, parents, caregivers, students, staff, and the Board of Trustees. Over 200 UFS friends attended the event and shared fond memories of their time spent at UFS and the lessons they continue to value.
United Friends School is an established Preschool through Eighth grade coeducational, independent Quaker day school in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Serving and busing students in the Upper Bucks and Lehigh Valley regions, UFS has a progressive and dynamic exciting academic program that attains the highest educational standards. UFS assesses students’ achievements in authentic ways that do not rely on standardized tests and offers robust co-curricular programs from Art, Music, Spanish, Robotics, Model UN, and Quakerism. With an open-minded, loving, family-centered approach, UFS honors students of all cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. UFS cares for the local community and inspires students to social action, working within the foundations of democratic principles. Innovative, progressive academics enable UFS alumni to go on to attend the finest secondary schools.