It is the oldest private school in Baltimore, founded in 1784 by members of the Religious Society of Friends.

Classes were first held in the Aisquith Street Meetinghouse in the East Baltimore community of Old Town.

In 1925, Friends purchased its present site at 5114 North Charles Street.

[3] Sports offered include soccer, field hockey, cross country and track, basketball, volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, baseball, and softball.

[4] Declining student participation in tackle football, mirroring national trends, resulted in Friends dropping the sport in 2018.