Friends, also known as Quakers, have been in the "business" of education for nearly 400 years.
Believing that intellectual, social and spiritual growth are closely linked, Friends schools combine academic excellence and spiritual depth. Rather than espousing a particular doctrine, they endeavor to expose children to a structure of values -- a way of seeing the world -- in the hope that it will have a lasting impact upon their lives. Friends schools seek to nurture bright, confident young people who know that the material world is not all there is to life; who have a passion for the truth and concern for social justice; who have the courage to "follow the inward argument where it leads"; optimists who are equipped to make a difference in the world.
Every teacher and administrator in a Friends school is tasked with translating this aim into the daily life of the school and in the classroom. In a Quaker school, one could expect to find the following:
- engaged and creative critical thinkers
- a belief in the inherent worth of every individual
- peaceful conflict resolution and consensus-based decision-making
- diversity being embraced and celebrated
- the valuing of inquiry and pursuit of truth
- alignment of actions with beliefs
- active service learning
- care for the environment