Greenleaf Friends Academy, the small Quaker school that has served the rural Canyon County community of Greenleaf since 1926, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a community-wide open house and celebration on April 12, marking a century of faith-based education in one of Idaho’s most distinctive small towns. The school, which serves approximately 120 students in preschool through 8th grade, is believed to be the oldest continuously operating private school in Canyon County and one of the oldest in Idaho.
The anniversary celebration will feature a historical exhibit tracing the school’s century-long journey from a one-room Quaker schoolhouse to a modern educational institution, tours of the campus, a community potluck in the traditional Quaker style, recognition of distinguished alumni, and a time capsule ceremony with contributions from current students that will be opened at the school’s 150th anniversary in 2076.
A Century of Quaker Education in Canyon County
Greenleaf Friends Academy was founded in 1926 by members of the Greenleaf Friends Church, a Quaker congregation that established the community of Greenleaf in the early 1900s when Quaker families from the Midwest settled in Canyon County to farm the irrigated land made available by the Bureau of Reclamation’s Boise Project. The school was created to provide a values-based education grounded in the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship.
Over the decades, the school has evolved from a church-affiliated classroom to a fully accredited private institution with a curriculum that balances rigorous academics with character development, community service, and the Quaker tradition of thoughtful, peaceful engagement with the world. Despite its small size, the school has produced graduates who have gone on to careers in medicine, education, agriculture, ministry, and public service across Idaho and beyond.
Current headmaster Daniel Roberts said the school’s longevity reflects the enduring appeal of small-school, values-based education. “In a century when education has been transformed by technology, testing mandates, and political debates, Greenleaf Friends Academy has stayed true to its mission: educating the whole child — mind, body, and spirit — in a community where every student is known, valued, and challenged,” Roberts said. “That mission was relevant in 1926, and it’s even more relevant today.”
The Greenleaf Community
The town of Greenleaf, with a population of approximately 900, remains one of Canyon County’s most distinctive communities. Founded by Quakers and still home to an active Friends Church, the town maintains a quiet, rural character that contrasts with the rapid suburban development transforming much of Canyon County. Many Greenleaf families have lived in the community for multiple generations, and the school serves as a gathering point that binds the community together across age and background.
The school also draws students from Caldwell, Nampa, and other Canyon County communities, with families choosing Greenleaf Friends Academy for its small class sizes (averaging 15 students per grade), individualized instruction, strong community values, and the safety and belonging that a small school provides. Tuition is set below many private school benchmarks at approximately $4,500 per year, with financial assistance available to families who qualify.
What Comes Next
The 100th anniversary open house takes place April 12 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Greenleaf Friends Academy campus on Main Street in Greenleaf. The event is free and open to all Canyon County residents, alumni, and friends of the school. Alumni who would like to be recognized at the celebration can register at greenleaffriends.org/100years. Families interested in enrollment for the 2026-27 school year can schedule campus tours through the school office at 208-459-6346.