The essence of the “Tandem Philosophy” is captured in the school’s unofficial mottoes: “Freedom with Responsibility” and “Kindness and Wisdom.”

“Freedom with Responsibility” is an ideal simple to express, but difficult in practice. Freedom in an educational setting allows for the growth of the individual in ways often unforeseen by both adults and students. This unpredictable quality is the source of much of the excitement and joy in Tandem’s approach to education. Students at Tandem Friends learn that freedom is extended in a direct relationship to responsibility. Responsible freedom is not merely permissive. We require students to consider the consequences of their actions, not just for themselves but for their fellow students, their teachers, and the school itself.

“Kindness and Wisdom” reflects the Friends belief that the Inner Light of Wisdom exists within each human being. When we seek and then express that Wisdom, it is manifested as kindness towards others.

At Tandem Friends School we foster an inclusive community that values and celebrates the experiences of people of different races, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, family structures, economic positions, faith traditions, physical abilities, learning profiles, and nationalities. We believe that such inclusivity benefits our community and prepares our students to be culturally proficient, contributing members of the diverse and multi-faceted world they inhabit.

Guided by the Quaker principles of equality, mutual respect, and integrity, we recognize the innate worth and the "inner light" in everyone. The belief that we are all part of one human community influences all of our practices at Tandem Friends School and reinforces our commitment to multicultural education. The faculty and staff at Tandem Friends School model and promote an appreciation for diversity in our academic curriculum, advisory program, speaker series, Learning Resource Center, and experiential learning programs.

Admission and hiring committees at Tandem Friends School seek to attract and retain a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Financial assistance is available on a need basis to all in order to reduce socioeconomic barriers that might limit access to a Tandem Friends School education.

Founded on uniquely collaborative relationships among faculty and students, Tandem Friends offers an academic and intellectual education of the first order.

We nurture in each student an enthusiasm for discovery of knowledge, an appreciation for the beauty and power of ideas, and a hunger for masterful performance. Tandem Friends honors students by challenging them to discover critical skills for a complex world as well as their own unrecognized strengths, inclinations, and sympathies. Tandem graduates are well prepared to continue their formal education at the college level; some seek the added experience of a period of public service, international travel, or opportunity to address a keenly-felt personal challenge. We expect our graduates to lead lives of integrity, excellence and service.

Our Upper School offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses.

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Life in the Tandem community reflects the Quaker belief that there is an ineffable element of the divine in each person, and that the most fulfilling life is one in which we recognize this in ourselves and in others.

We strive to honor the traditional Quaker values of integrity, peace, reconciliation and community; a social order marked by equality and justice; simplicity in our personal habits; and an abiding commitment to service and environmental stewardship.

We encourage students to think deeply about what they believe and how their beliefs shape their lives.