The Peer Education Program began at Friends School in 1997 and continues to provide students with opportunities to learn about the relationship between health, safety and their own behaviors.

After being interviewed and selected by Upper School faculty, approximately 21 Upper School students attend a training retreat to begin work on the lessons they will teach to the 5th and 8th grades. Based on need and experience, peer educators are placed into 4 teams of 3 students to teach the 8th grade in the middle school and 3 teams of 3 to teach the 5th grade in the lower school. Each team has at least one senior or experienced peer educator to act as the leader of the team.

We complete a total of 5 lessons for each grade with the last lesson as a transition to middle and upper schools. In the 8th grade the peer educators lead open and honest discussions covering a broad range of topics including: self-image, relationships, drugs and alcohol, sexuality and transition to upper school. In the 5th grade the peer educators give concrete instruction and lead discussion about bullying, friendship and cooperation, understanding your changing self, family dynamics and transitions to middle school.