The history of Scattergood Friends School begins when it was founded in 1890 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) for the education of Friends' children. Today, about 20 percent of staff and students are from Friends families. Scattergood continues to be guided by the tenets of Quakerism: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. We are dedicated to the growth of the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and to the stewardship of the earth.
Location and Campus
Scattergood is located in rural West Branch, Iowa, in the greater Iowa City area. It is about 3.5 hours by car from Chicago, and 5 hours from Minneapolis and St. Louis. The school's 126-acre campus consists of a 27 acre main campus and 26 acres of restored prairie. The farm includes 8 acres of certified organic vegetable gardens, a high tunnel (greenhouse), and various barns, outbuildings, and pastures. Livestock include cows, sheep (Katahdin heritage breed), pigs (Guinea Hog heritage breed), and turkeys (seasonally).
Accreditation
Scattergood is accredited by Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and is a member of the Friends Council on Education (FCE) and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). Scattergood is recognized as an independently accredited school by the State of Iowa Department of Education.
Academic Program
Scattergood offers a college-preparatory course load with progressive classes, experiential, hands-on learning and more individualized and self-reflective assessment. The core curriculum includes four years of all the academic areas including English, Social Studies, Science, Math, and foreign language. Critical reasoning and communication skills are emphasized, including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and the capacity to consider other points of view. Students also learn practical life skills through work on the farm, on campus and through projects courses that explore the fine and practical arts. Wilderness trips and service trips provide opportunities for adventure and personal growth.
The Faculty
Scattergood has a staff of 26 educators from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Many staff members serve as advisors to two or three students. Most of the staff and their families live on campus. All faculty serve as resources for the community in such areas as nutrition and health, the arts, peace and nonviolence, human rights, stewardship of the earth, and Friends' heritage
College Placement
Acceptance into a four-year accredited college or university is a graduation requirement at Scattergood. Recent Scattergood graduates have matriculated to:
Reed College, Mills College, Macalester College, Oberlin College, Bard College Berlin, Wake Forest University, Howard University, Earlham College, Cornell College, Syracuse University, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Wisconsin, and others.
Student Demographics
86% boarding, 14% day students
45% boys, 55% girls
17% International (Taiwan, Bolivia, Afghanistan)
27% from Iowa
20% Students of color
10% Quaker (or Quaker-affiliated)
Admissions Information
Students are accepted without regard to race, gender expression, color, or creed. Admission is based on previous school records, three written recommendations, a writing sample and an interview. Students enter in grades 6 through 12. Inquiries and applications are welcomed at any time. Admission is offered fall and spring semesters. For more information, call 319-519-1856 or email admissions@scattergood.org