A Private Boarding & Day School Focused on Character
Explore Olney Friends School, a private boarding & day school in Ohio, where Quaker values, structure, and community develop character for college and life.
What is Experiential Learning?
Discover how an Olney education fosters experiential learning through hands-on, interdisciplinary education to develop confident thinkers with meaningful lives.
Inclusion at School Through Holistic Education
Discover what inclusion at a small boarding school really feels like at Olney Friends School—where every student is known, valued, and supported.
Peace, Presence, and the Outdoors
At Olney Friends School, a Quaker boarding and day school in Barnesville, Ohio, students learn something different. Presence. Deep listening. Caring for living things and each other across our 350-acre USDA-certified organic campus. Outdoor learning isn’t a program here. It’s daily life.
How Agricultural Education Becomes Truly Transdisciplinary
It’s pretty rare for a high school to have a farm. Uniquely situated upon 350 acres of USDA certified organic farmland, our school is a working farm that also serves as our largest classroom!
How Experiential Learning Prepares Teens for Life Beyond the Classroom
Why Experiential Learning Matters More Than Ever More parents are seeking schools that offer experiential learning opportunities, as kids do not all learn the same way. This is why it is so important for parents to identify what type of learner their child is so that they can choose a school that caters to their specific needs. By doing this, parents are giving their teens a solid educational foundation that will carry them through life. What Is Experiential Learning? Experiential learning is an opportunity for students to learn by doing. This can be handled in several ways, but at Olney Friends School, we believe in providing hands-on experience for our students through our farm program. Students join the Farm Team, choosing to take part in our animal or vegetable crews. Through these activities, students have the opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture, livestock care, organic farming, and food production. Our transdisciplinary curriculum allows students to connect agriculture, science, and mathematics with real-life experiences. They get to witness the topics that they are taught being put into use on our 350-acre campus. We are USDA-certified and grow over 20 certified organic crops. Participating in the Farm Team enables students to see food production from the field to the table, providing them with a deeper understanding of the process of growing and harvesting food. What Do Students Gain From Experiential Learning? Every aspect of our campus provides learning opportunities for students. Teens who learn better through a hands-on approach will greatly benefit when attending Olney. Students benefit in several ways when learning through experiences. Hands-On Education Hands-on learning offers students a skill set that traditional learning does not. Students can connect lessons to real-life scenarios, which means they are gaining a deeper understanding of the curriculum they are being taught. Promoting Curiosity and Exploration The digital age has stifled imagination and curiosity because everything is readily available at our fingertips. Experiential learning promotes curiosity and creativity through exploration. Students will be encouraged to ask questions, conduct experiments, and explore topics more thoroughly outside the classroom. This approach helps enhance independent learning while creating a deeper understanding of the subjects. Personalized Learning Paths Learning through experience is a more flexible way of learning. Students will be more engaged with lessons and be able to explore topics more effectively. By providing students with experiences, they will gain a more personalized learning module. As a result, students will be more engaged in the topics that they are learning. Students will learn in a way that is best suited to their abilities and interests. Future-Ready Skills Gaining real-life experience will greatly help students succeed beyond the classroom. These experiences shine when applying for higher education. Rather than being a passive recipient of the topics that are being taught, students become active participants. Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are enhanced and encouraged in an experiential learning environment. Multidisciplinary Learning Experiential learning helps integrate multiple subjects, enabling students to find connections between science, technology, art, social sciences, and many other disciplines. When teens engage in meaningful experiences, they can develop practical skills, as well as a deeper understanding of the topics being taught. Learning Through Experiences Experiences can be created in various ways, including gardening and farming, nature hikes, hands-on exhibits, interactive workshops, and even role-playing activities. Through experiences, students can easily comprehend what they are being taught while fostering essential skills needed to thrive in the 21st century. Students are encouraged to become directly involved in the learning process. This type of learning not only promotes engagement but also helps motivate students to learn and enjoy the process. Knowledge Retention Hands-on experiences help students develop a deeper understanding of the topics being taught, while also encouraging them to retain the information that they learn. When you learn by doing, you have a higher success rate of remembering the information that is taught. Boost Self-Awareness and Confidence Students gain a greater sense of achievement through hands-on learning. This improves their confidence by participating in purposeful work. The greater responsibilities our students have, the prouder they are of the results. This creates individuals who are connected to their work and invested in the outcome, developing a lifelong love of learning. Fostering Experiential Learning At Olney Friends School Olney offers an exceptional learning experience for our students. We present opportunities to immediately apply the knowledge that is learned. This allows students to gain a deeper appreciation for the lessons that are being taught and their community. Schedule your campus tour today to discover how we can provide your teen a high-quality education with our experiential learning methods.
What to Consider Before Sending Your Teen to a Private Boarding School
What You Should Know About Private Boarding School What do you know about private boarding schools? Is this a schooling option that your family has been discussing? Are you feeling a little lost on what to look for and what you should know about this type of schooling? Do not worry, because you are not alone. Most parents start worrying about sending their teen away to school without really diving into the benefits that it has to offer their family. Fully researching your options will allow you to make the most informed decision on whether or not this unique schooling option is best for your teen. 5 Things To Know About Private Boarding Schools Parents face many challenging decisions when it comes to their children’s education, upbringing, and environment. Be sure that you do all your research ahead of time before discussing boarding school options with your teen. 1. Readiness and Willingness All children mature at different rates. It highly depends on the independence they have been given at home and how they handle that independence. You need to be honest with your teen and have open conversations about boarding school. Allow them to ask questions and gauge their willingness towards attending this type of school. If your teen is not ready, they may need more time. On the other hand, boarding school can be a safe and supportive environment where students can develop greater independence before attending college. Many students who initially feel hesitant about attending a private boarding school discover that the structured yet nurturing atmosphere helps them build confidence and maturity at their own pace. 2. Private Boarding School’s Reputation and Track Record Nothing replaces an in-person (or virtual) campus visit. Walk the grounds, sit in on classes when possible, and speak directly with current students and their parents. Schools develop their own personalities over time – something you can only sense by being there. If you can, connect with alumni. Discover how their experiences shaped their college and career paths. Read online reviews and see what other parents and students have to say about their time spent at the school. This approach will give you an inside look at what to expect for your teen. 3. Check Safety and Welfare There are many questions a parent may have about the boarding school’s safety and welfare policies: Understanding all the school’s policies will help ensure that you choose a school that can safely board your teen while gaining a higher-quality education. 4. Academics and Extracurricular Activities A private boarding school education should offer both academic excellence and opportunities for personal growth. Weekends and afternoons matter just as much to your teen’s development. During visits, ask specific questions about activities available outside class hours. Do students have access to music, arts, sports, or special interest clubs? At our private school in Ohio, our transdisciplinary approach means students work on our organic farm while learning vital math skills, participate in community service, and engage in creative pursuits, building well-rounded skills for college and life. 5. Tuition Transparency Private boarding school is a significant investment in your teen’s future. Before committing, understand exactly what tuition covers— and what it does not. Does it include books, activity fees, trips, and special programs? Some schools have separate charges for things you might assume are included. Ask for a comprehensive breakdown of expenses beyond the base tuition to avoid surprises later. More Private Boarding School Considerations Some other things to consider may include: Exploring Private Boarding Schools Finding the right private boarding school for your teen takes time and thoughtful consideration. At Olney Friends School, we understand this is one of the biggest decisions your family will make for your teen’s education, which will help determine their trajectory. We invite you to visit our historic campus in Ohio, meet our faculty (who maintain a remarkable 3:1 student-teacher ratio), and experience our community firsthand. Schedule a personal tour today to discover if our approach to education aligns with your family’s values and your teen’s needs.
Parents Discover the Benefits of Boarding School as a Life-Changing Education
How a Boarding School Can Benefit Your Teen As a parent, you may be considering whether your teen could benefit from a boarding school education. Choosing a private education for your teen may be the best solution for your family if you want to give them a unique experience that can help them prepare for life after school. Ten Benefits of Boarding School The digital age has brought many distractions for teens in general. Kids are gaining access to digital devices at younger and younger ages. Screen time is not always monitored, and it can cause numerous issues for a teen as they approach school age. Focus can be a major problem for many teens, which has led some parents to seek alternative schooling methods that work better for their teens. If you are unsure about why boarding school may be a good fit for your teen, Olney Friends School has you covered. 1. Independence As parents, it can be easy to do everything for your teen. After all, at the beginning of their lives, they are dependent on you for everything. However, as they grow into young adults, your teen must learn to be more independent. For a teen to learn how to cope and thrive in any circumstance means they need to make decisions for themselves. This can be a challenging process for both the teen and parent, but as time passes, this independence will help the teen mature and become more confident. Having a private school environment will give students the chance to develop skills while in a supportive and supervised environment. This experience will also help your teen live more comfortably with people from diverse backgrounds. This is an ability that all students will need when they become adults, where they will have to live, study, and work on their own. 2. Responsibility Responsibility is something that is learned, and it can be a tricky one for parents to teach if their teen is not interested. Boarding school takes away the constant monitoring done by parents and makes students responsible for their own actions. At this type of school, students need to keep their dorm rooms tidy and be respectful to all other students and staff. In addition, Olney offers hands-on learning, where students take responsibility for caring for crops and farm animals. Residential school allows your teen to encounter many different situations where they will need to consider their actions and their consequences. 3. Life Skills A conventional school setting typically consists of classrooms, books, and labs. The benefits of boarding school allow students the chance to learn real-life skills that can hugely benefit their career choice and make them more adaptable to University life. Olney offers a more holistic approach, one that goes beyond just reading books. Our 350-acre campus allows our students to partake in real-life skills that prepare them for their next steps after graduation. We offer sustainable agriculture, livestock care, organic farming practices, and food production. With USDA Certified Organic status, Olney offers a farm-to-table program where students will be introduced to over 20 certified organic crops and a multitude of animals. Students will enjoy time with classmates while engaging in these activities, allowing them to build stronger bonds and social networks. Olney is an international school, meaning your teen will meet people from a variety of cultures, ages, and personalities. This will benefit their future careers and personal relationships. 4. Individual Attention Residential schools tend to have smaller classrooms, allowing for more personalized learning. At Olney, we have a student-to-teacher ratio of 3:1., This allows educators to focus on the needs and performance of their students. As a result, students can easily identify their strengths and weaknesses. This means that problem areas can easily be identified and addressed early on, allowing students to achieve a better understanding academically. A closer connection between students and teachers ensures better mentorship and stronger communication. Students will feel more confident about speaking up during classroom activities and feel more encouraged to engage in the lessons being taught. 5. Networking The benefits of boarding schools allow students to live, study, and play together, fostering deeper bonds among them. Friendships made will carry over into adulthood. Cultural diversity will also help students be better prepared for the world. They will have a fond respect for different ethnic backgrounds and be able to converse with a variety of people when entering the workforce. Students will gain an appreciation for diversity and support it in all areas of their lives. Olney allows students to have a whole community of people who support their ambitions. 6. Higher Standard of Academics Academics are one thing that most private schools concentrate on. After all, parents are investing in their teen’s future, so they want to make sure they are getting a solid academic foundation. Another point to note is that the quality of teachers and educators in private schools tends to be much higher. Schools that operate on private funding place a greater emphasis on hiring highly qualified staff. These schools also tend to have well-equipped labs, well-stocked libraries or media centers, and various other activities and learning opportunities for students to participate in. 7. Focus Since classrooms are smaller, every student can interact with the lessons being taught. Living on campus extends learning time, allowing it to continue even outside the classroom. Also, it allows teachers the opportunity to understand what makes their students excited about learning. With this information at hand, teachers can focus lessons on topics that matter to their students. Intellectual stimulation is one of the many benefits of attending boarding school. This often leads students to be more motivated to focus, learn, and perform well in classes. Students will not have the distractions they often have at home. Instead, they canfill their time with reading books, exploring campus, or even getting tutored on subjects they find challenging. Overall, private schools allow students to focus on their lessons and a higher level of learning with a
Interdisciplinary Learning: Connecting Math, Science, and Ethics
Discover how interdisciplinary learning connects disciplines like math, science, and ethics to build critical thinkers prepared for real-world challenges.
The Importance of Character Building Through Education
Character building through education fosters responsibility, empathy, and leadership, helping students grow academically and personally for lifelong success.