The Residential Life Program at Olney gives students the opportunity to build the skills that help them thrive in community. By sharing public and private spaces with their peers, students learn to understand and respect cultural differences, work through conflicts, and share ideas about current local and global issues. Building trust is a fundamental goal of the Residential Life Program. We do not lock dorm rooms which we believe helps students to learn to trust each other as well as take responsibility for themselves.

In addition to its long-standing boarding population, Olney Friends School embraces the day student population into the residential life program. Day students often participate in many of the dorm activities.  The weekend activities often center around residential activities. During the first semester returning students room with new students, and this integration encourages members of the community to become acquainted with each other, as well as offering a new student a more experienced peer to help guide them through life at Olney.  Students appreciate the small, family-like atmosphere, the relationships they enjoy with each other, their many interactions with teachers, and the pursuit of a tight-knit safe place to play.

At Olney, students learn perseverance and teamwork through physical fitness. Our students are required to participate in “Sports Block” four times per week in the afternoon hours. Olney Friends School offers a variety of sports that vary depending on interest, season, and expertise of our faculty. Previous athletic offerings have included activities such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, Gym-EX, and yoga.

At Olney Friends School, we believe in the Quaker testimony of Stewardship. Stewardship means taking good care of our resources so that they are around for others to use. Through the Office Work program, every aspect of our daily operations is supported by our students and faculty, from washing dishes to mopping the floors. Students develop leadership and responsibility through the daily maintenance and upkeep of their community.

At Olney, you will practice leadership and learn through experience. You will help with office work, have the opportunity to be a dorm leader, and participate in “Self-Gov” and Community Meeting—where you will find yourself in lengthy conversations about how to develop policies and programming that can have a real impact on the community. There are many opportunities in which students are leading their fellow students to complete tasks, accomplish goals, and make real change.