Following three weeks of virtual learning, classes at Friends are expected to return to campus by Jan. 25.

According to school spokesperson Alicia Porter, the private school pre-scheduled two weeks of distance learning back in December. Porter noted that officials “wanted a chance to evaluate the community health data after the holidays in case of a big spike.”

In the two weeks after the break, Dartmouth saw 567 new cases of the virus — with 300 in the first week of the new year. Officials for Dartmouth’s public schools extended a weeklong delay in the return to hybrid learning for a second week following the January surge in cases.

Before winter break, classes at Friends were held in person, with some held outdoors.

To prepare for the return to Friends, the private school extended online learning an additional week. Porter noted this also allowed the school to establish a testing program that will take place each week until at least March.

“In this time of very high community spread, it's an extra layer of safety that we want to bring in to continue with in-person learning,” Porter said.