Traditions

Buddies

At The Friends School of Atlanta, older students learn by serving younger ones. Through our Buddy Mentorship Program, each eighth grade student is paired with a Pre-K4 or kindergarten student. The partnership fosters belonging, empathy and joyful learning. 

The year opens and closes with two traditions. At the first Buddy Ceremony, eighth graders welcome their Little Buddies with flowers and a promise to look out for them throughout the school year. At the end of the school year, Little Buddies present flowers to their Big Buddies, celebrating growth, gratitude and the friendship formed along the way. 

The program helps younger students feel seen and supported as they settle into the school routines. Older students develop patience, communication and a sense of responsibility that extends beyond the classroom. It is one more way we practice our values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community equality and stewardship.

 

Mentorship Program

The 8th-grade Mentor Program is a beloved FSA tradition. Each student is paired with a faculty or staff mentor who checks in regularly during the final months of middle school. There’s no one right way to mentor—relationships are tailored to each student’s needs. Conversations might cover goal setting, time management, high school transition, or simple encouragement. The aim is consistent adult support from someone beyond the homeroom or advisor, strengthening each student’s sense of belonging and readiness for what’s next.