Quaker Schools - Friend's Council On Education

Friends Education

Challenging the Mind, Nourishing the Spirit

Friends believe that each person has the capacity for goodness and a responsibility to attain that goodness. Friends schools believe that education is preparation for the whole of life: the lively development of intellectual, physical, and social-emotional capacities as well as those of the spirit. Friends school teachers are facilitators of the learning process, using dialogue, reflection, and inquiry as tools for learning in the classroom. Students learn that all of life is sacred and resonates with meaning.

Academic and Moral Development

For more than 325 years, Friends schools have been recognized for fine academics as well as a whole-child approach to intellectual and moral development. Students are encouraged by word and by example to respect the talents and perspectives of others and include them in a cooperative search for knowledge. Friends Council on Education affirms that the core purpose of its member schools is to create deliberate learning communities that are centered on Quaker values such as simplicity, peace, justice, stewardship, and integrity.

Accessibility and Affordability

Friends Council on Education is committed to supporting the diversity of educational choices that make the American educational system unique. Friends schools operate on the founding Quaker principles of equality and diversity, and Friends schools seek to maintain financial aid programs to ensure accessibility, affordability, and socio-economic diversity..

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Friends schools value and embrace the diversity of cultures and religions in their communities. The curricular approach in Friends education is committed to the rich diversity of multiple perspectives, cultivated through each student's voice engaged in inquiry. Friends schools continually review and change curricula in ways that are responsive to the current world context through studies with artistic and intellectual value that are culturally diverse.

Institutional Independence

Friends Council on Education (FCE) affirms that membership in Friends Council is composed of schools and organizations based on the faith and practice of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). FCE is committed to the independence of its member schools, affirming the variety and diversity of these schools and supporting their prerogative to offer an extensive range of curricula and programs, to select quality teachers who meet their criteria, and to create values-based learning communities based on the unique educational missions of their schools.

Peace Education and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution

Friends Council on Education supports Friends schools in establishing communities that purposefully work with conflict, developing peace education curricula and practices for nonviolent conflict resolution. Friends school curricula and practices promote teaching each subject in a way that enhances student understanding of justice and basic human and civil rights.

Service Learning and Civic Engagement

Friends Council on Education affirms that outreach and service learning are embedded in the curricula of Friends schools. Through the civic engagement of service learning, students build and value relationships with others so that an appreciation of the similarities and differences across humanity can be experienced. Students gain an awareness of the world beyond their immediate environment, have exposure to broad societal issues, develop compassion for those struggling under difficult circumstances, cultivate an ability to view problems from a variety of perspectives, and recognize their own capacity to actively make a difference in the world.

World Citizenry

Friends Council on Education affirms that Friends schools teach values for world citizenry including the love of freedom, appreciation for religious differences, democracy, respect for human dignity, respect for diversity, and work to improve the lives of the oppressed. Following Quaker principles, Friends schools seek to incorporate these values into the life and culture of the school, rather than represent them in symbols and rote recitations.

In This Section

In This Section

Friends Education

Challenging the Mind, Nourishing the Spirit

Friends Education

Challenging the Mind, Nourishing the Spirit

Academic and Moral Development

Academic and Moral Development

Accessibility and Affordability

Accessibility and Affordability

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Institutional Independence

Institutional Independence

Peace Education and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution

Peace Education and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution

Service Learning and Civic Engagement

Service Learning and Civic Engagement

World Citizenry

World Citizenry