Ramallah Friends School

"Ramallah Friends School stands as one of the most historically significant educational institutions in Palestine, offering families a rare combination of deep-rooted tradition and internationally recognized academic standards."

Grounded in Quaker values of integrity, community, and the pursuit of truth, the school provides a learning environment that emphasizes not only academic excellence but also character development and civic responsibility. For expat families and relocating professionals seeking a school with a principled mission and a global educational framework, Ramallah Friends School represents a distinctive and compelling choice. The school's history stretches back to 1869, making it one of the oldest continuously operating schools in the region. It was founded by American Quakers, beginning with the inauguration of the Friends Girls' School in 1869, followed by the Friends Boys' School, whose construction began in 1901 and which opened its doors in 1918. A Meeting House was built on campus in 1910, reflecting the centrality of Quaker spiritual life to the institution's identity. Over more than 150 years, the school has weathered extraordinary historical circumstances while maintaining its commitment to quality education, and that enduring resilience speaks powerfully to the strength of its community and mission. Today, Ramallah Friends School operates across two campuses in the twin cities of Ramallah and al-Bireh in the West Bank. Both campuses are co-educational and organized into Junior and Senior sections, allowing the school to serve students across a broad range of ages within a coherent and consistent educational philosophy. The dual-campus structure gives the school a meaningful presence across both cities, and families can expect a campus environment shaped by decades of institutional investment and community connection. Academically, the school is authorized to deliver the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, situating it within a globally recognized educational framework that prioritizes inquiry-based learning, international-mindedness, and the development of the whole child. The IB PYP is well regarded among internationally mobile families precisely because of its philosophical consistency with schools worldwide, offering children a strong foundation that travels well across borders and educational systems. English serves as the primary language of instruction, which is an important consideration for expat families seeking continuity with international schooling environments. What truly sets Ramallah Friends School apart, however, is the rare depth of its institutional identity. Few schools anywhere in the world can claim a founding history stretching back to the nineteenth century alongside a living connection to Quaker values and an internationally accredited curriculum. For families coming to Ramallah, the school offers not just a place of learning but an entry point into a community with extraordinary historical roots and a genuine sense of purpose. Parents evaluating schools in the West Bank will find in Ramallah Friends School an institution that takes seriously both the intellectual formation of its students and their development as thoughtful, ethical members of a wider world.