THE FRIENDSHIP SCHOOL

The Friendship School is a Title I public elementary school that is part of the Learn school district, located in Waterford, CT with about 503 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten. Student demographics can be found below. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 44 teachers, The Friendship School has a student/teacher ratio of about 11:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The Friendship School, located in Waterford, Connecticut, is a unique interdistrict magnet school that serves students in pre-kindergarten through grade one. Operated by the LEARN regional educational service center, the school is specifically designed to foster diversity by bringing together children from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. By creating a shared learning environment for students from various towns across the region, the school aims to build a strong foundation of community, equity, and inclusion from the very beginning of a child’s educational journey.

The school’s curriculum is deeply rooted in the philosophy of the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasizes child-centered, project-based learning and the importance of the environment as the "third teacher." With a focus on social-emotional development and inquiry-based exploration, The Friendship School encourages students to be active participants in their own learning. By prioritizing strong relationships between educators, families, and students, the school creates a supportive atmosphere where young learners are challenged to think critically and collaboratively as they develop early academic and interpersonal skills.

For more information, contact The Friendship School at (860) 447-4049 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.