About: The ​History of Our School

The ​History of Our School

Major Milestones

September 1984

Our School Opens — Mary McDowell Friends School (MMFS) opened as Mary McDowell Center for Learning with a class of five students at the Brooklyn Meeting House on Schermerhorn Street.

January 1990

NYS Provisional Charter — We received our New York State provisional charter as a nonprofit educational institution.

August 1993

NYS Permanent Charter — We received our permanent New York State Charter.

September 1996

New Space for MMFS — We rented additional space at the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue to accommodate increased enrollment.

October 1998

First Accreditation — We received our first accreditation from the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS).

September 1999

Permanent Home for Lower School — Our first permanent home at 20 Bergen Street opened its doors to students.

September 2005

Middle School Opens — Our middle school opened with an expansion to 20 Bergen Street.

July 2006

18 Bergen Street purchased for future expansion.

September 2008

Permanent Home for Middle School — Our middle school moved to 133-135 Summit Street in Carroll Gardens.

September 2010

Upper School Opens — Our upper school opened with our first ninth-grade class, housed with the middle school.

September 2011

Permanent Home for Upper School — Upper school students started the school year in their newly renovated home at 23 Sidney Place.

June 2014

First class of seniors graduated from the upper school.

September 2020

Expanded and renovated lower school opened its doors at 18 Bergen St.

July 2023

André Del Valle becomes Head of School. 

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