The Friends School of Atlanta

The Friends School of Atlanta is a small independent day school in Decatur, Georgia, serving 100–200 students in pre-K through eighth grade. Its Quaker heritage shapes educational philosophy through six concrete values: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. These aren't framed as abstractions; they appear in hiring decisions, classroom practice, and staff meetings.

Teaching here means building diverse classrooms where every student is known individually. Smaller class sizes let teachers adapt instruction to how students actually learn, rather than spending energy on classroom management. The school deliberately pairs academic rigor with attention to social-emotional growth. Faculty participate in meeting for worship and consensus-based decision-making—workplace practices that many educators find meaningful beyond their paycheck.

The curriculum includes Latin and Spanish language instruction, creating openings for educators with language expertise. Typical hiring covers elementary and middle school classroom teaching, plus specialty roles in languages, sciences, and arts. Pre-K and lower elementary positions grow as enrollment expands.

Working at a Quaker school in Georgia offers access to the independent school community without the cost premium of northern boarding school markets. The Atlanta metro area provides reasonable living expenses compared to major East Coast hubs. Staff genuinely engage with questions of equity and environmental responsibility—values embedded throughout the institution rather than added as programs.

For educators drawn to small-school work and Quaker values in practice, The Friends School of Atlanta offers a distinctive fit in the Southeast.