Olney Friends School, founded in 1837, is a small, co-educational boarding school for grades 9 through 12 located in Barnesville, Ohio, in the beautiful Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio.
The school provides an intellectually challenging college preparatory program in a supportive Friends community that promotes traditional Quaker values such as integrity and simplicity, while encouraging freedom of expression, creative thinking and acceptance of individual differences.
Olney Friends School challenges students to grow. We celebrate intellectual rigor, provoke questions of conscience, and nurture skills for living in community.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Top Ranked OH School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 39 students
- Yearly Tuition: $20,500
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Average class size: 7 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Olney Friends School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for:
Category
Attribute
School History
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Year Founded
1837
Colors
White, Navy Blue
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
39 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
36%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
3:1
National avg.:
Average Class Size
7 students
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$20,500
Acceptance Rate
100%
National avg.: 81%
Application URL
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Olney Friends School cost?
Olney Friends School's tuition is approximately $20,500 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Olney Friends School?
The acceptance rate of Olney Friends School is 100%, which is higher than the national average of 84%.
What is Olney Friends School's ranking?
Olney Friends School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for: Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Olney Friends School?
The application deadline for Olney Friends School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
5 11/14/2025
Set on 350 acres of rolling farmland in Barnesville, Ohio, Olney Friends School provides a tranquil atmosphere where students in grades 9-12 can focus on the lesson at hand. With domestic and international students on campus, including both boarding and day students, the community includes a diverse mix of personalities and cultural backgrounds that allows its members to learn from one another in ways that supplement their formal studies. The farm nurtures mind, body, and spirit by producing much of the food students and faculty consume and by providing opportunities for place-based learning as they join forces to work the land and tend to animals such as cattle, goats, and chickens. The rigorous academic curriculum sets high standards for student achievement, while the faculty provides support and encouragement. Although the facilities are aging, they are well-maintained and constantly updated, offering comfortable learning spaces set against the backdrop of a long, rich history.
5 11/14/2025
Two of my sons attended Olney Friends School and both benefitted tremendously from their experiencs there. They grew in confidence, conscience, and compassion. They developed critical thinking skills and an understanding of the fundamental interconnectedness of all life -- as well as college-level reading and writing ability. Last but not least, they formed lasting friendships.
5 3/22/2017
Great School, I am so happy that both my children attended. Olney exposed them to International Cultures, Sustainability, and gave them a sense of Community, self confidence, and an Education they will use all their lives.
5 7/12/2013
I went to Olney, and I sent my son to Olney.
It was intellectually challenging, and the values of the Society of Friends are some of the most important spiritual values I ever learned.
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