Our Program

The How and Why of Classroom Design
Friends School designs its classroom groupings according to the developmental needs of children. In the early years of a child's schooling, we create multi-age classrooms to respond to the wide range of children's talents, abilities, and needs. Educational research, as well as our 25 years of experience, confirm that young children thrive in a classroom where they can learn at their own pace, teach others, and feel comfortable and confident in school. Multi-age grouping gives the classroom teachers two years to know their students.

As academic content and skill-building become increasingly important in elementary and middle school, we move to single-grade classrooms 4th through 8th. Usually, math classes are grouped by performance and ability, each with an instructor. When necessary, we offer individualized remediation and enrichment math instruction. Reading and writing are taught in large and small groups as well as individually. Science instruction is inquiry-based, emphasizing hands-on experience, vocabulary-building, and scientific thinking. Theme studies integrate the humanities through a deep investigation of a topic. Activities like reading buddies, field trips, special events, and electives in the middle school mix ages to reap the social benefits of multi-age grouping.

The Early Years at Friends School
The focus of our K-3 program is language literacy, including reading, writing, and speaking. We strive for familiarity and facility with numbers, particularly emphasizing word problems and conceptual development. We present age-appropriate themes to which children can relate, such as community, our bodies, our senses, family, neighborhoods, shelters and buildings, water, and recycling. Please see the academic curriculum guides for more information.

The Intermediate Years at Friends School
In 4th and 5th grades, we strive for reading and writing independence, a broadening experience with literature, and a deepening sense of math concepts and computation through the study of fractions and decimals, measurement, and introductory geometry. Math word problems and problem-solving strategies continue to be emphasized. History, geography, social studies, and literature are combined in theme studies such as Feudal Japan, Freedom, Navigating Your World, Ancient China, The Silk Road, and Immigration, and The Greeks. Science instruction is incorporated into thematic study when possible and taught alone when necessary to assure a well-rounded familiarity with topics and methods of scientific inquiry. Please see the academic curriculum guides for more information.

The Middle School Years at Friends School
Grades 6-8 are organized to respond to the educational needs of early adolescents. During this time of rapid growth and increasing independence, middle school students explore their personal identities and relationships to others. To meet their diverse needs, our program offers a balanced curriculum that addresses the academic, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of the growing adolescent. The middle school team of teachers facilitates and provides developmentally appropriate activities and projects that lead to self-discovery, skill building, and abstract thinking. Academic classes (Math, Science, English, History, and Spanish) are departmentalized while elective classes are multi-age and experienced-based.

In keeping with the practices that have been found effective for this age group, students will also have choices in their learning and will be given the opportunity to assume the role of a teacher. Studying examples of and role models for social justice and action is a primary focus throughout the curriculum as this is an area of both high interest and enthusiasm for adolescents.

The overall goal of the middle school program is to create a learning community that emphasizes Quaker testimonies, self-expression, and connection to real-life concerns. As older middle school students prepare for high school, it is our hope that each and every student leaves Friends School confident and believing in their capabilities and goodness. Please see the academic curriculum guides for more information.

Areas of Educational Enrichment
Several subjects span all our classrooms. Spanish, choral singing, yoga, art, and physical education round out our academic program. We design all-school theme weeks around topics such as Bridges, Diversity, Community, Trees, Light, Energy, and Peacemaking.

Friends School considers conflict resolution an essential part of our curriculum, from early instruction in conflict identification and de-escalation strategies in Kindergarten to peer mediation in the middle school.

Drama is incorporated into classroom instruction with many opportunities for informal skits, plays, and full-scale productions or dramas, comedies, mysteries, and musicals.

On Being a Friends (Quaker) School
Friends School does not require students or teachers to be members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), nor do we proselytize one faith perspective. We believe the essence of Quakerism is caught, not taught. We welcome all faiths and points of view in support of our core values of simplicity, harmony, community, and equality. We study world religions and cultures from our youngest classrooms to our oldest. Once a week we gather for all-school Meeting for Worship in which spoken messages are welcomed in silence and song. Throughout the grade levels, students learn about notable Quakers and the contributions of Friends to our nation's history.

All students have opportunities to become involved in age-appropriate community service activities within the school and locally. Our Peace Choir sings for local events. Our classes sponsor fundraising events to support local and national organizations in need. Our students work as volunteers in the community. We ask students to do chores around the school such as composting, recycling, gardening, and light cleaning, believing that work in the service of our school teaches appreciation and respect for our building and fosters responsibility.

Our Academic Curriculum
We invite you to read our academic curriculum guide, arranged by grade level and by subject.
Grades K-1 Curriculum Guide
Grades 2-3 Curriculum Guide
Grade 4 Curriculum Guide
Grade 5 Curriculum Guide
Grades 6-8 Middle School Curriculum Guide
Grades K-5 Subject Curriculum Guide