Parents Share Their Experiences at Friends School
"For our daughter, the small class size and close-knit community in the Friends School Middle School allowed her to navigate those extremely formative years with grace and courage, paving the way for her to develop into the confident young woman she is now. "
Parent, Molly Countermine
Link: Seventh Grade Student Lucy Witzke Publishes First Novel
Lucy Witzke emerges from a chrysalis in Kindergarten.
Parent, Molly Countermine
Link: Seventh Grade Student Lucy Witzke Publishes First Novel
Lucy Witzke emerges from a chrysalis in Kindergarten.
Like many parents, I have two children with very different strengths. They have both thrived at Friends School because of the dual-focus on individual development and community. The children are encouraged to recognize and draw from each other’s strengths to accomplish shared goals.
This creates space for children who excel in mathematics, peacekeeping, the arts, writing, problem-solving, physical activity, humor and more to find their niche and develop their talents. It allows children who are struggling in one area to work on those skills while still having numerous opportunities to be successful. It also teaches the whole group to respect, appreciate, and benefit from different people’s talents.
Imagine if our workplaces were all full of this kind of thinking!
Parent, Kate Hynes
Alum, Kyle Hynes Wins $5000 Award in Redistricting Contest
This creates space for children who excel in mathematics, peacekeeping, the arts, writing, problem-solving, physical activity, humor and more to find their niche and develop their talents. It allows children who are struggling in one area to work on those skills while still having numerous opportunities to be successful. It also teaches the whole group to respect, appreciate, and benefit from different people’s talents.
Imagine if our workplaces were all full of this kind of thinking!
Parent, Kate Hynes
Alum, Kyle Hynes Wins $5000 Award in Redistricting Contest
Our third-grade daughter is in her fourth year at Friends School, and she loves to learn because of the environment that has been created for her. She comes home feeling proud of herself every single day.
She reads incessantly. She asks to do algebra problems during the car ride to school. The first thing she has wanted to do with her summer vacation every single year is finish her math book. By the time July rolls around, she is asking when she can go back to school.
Her teachers know her as a person so well. They help her grow academically and guide her in ways that support her school community. We have no idea how they fit all of this into a single school day.
Parent, Seth Blumsack
She reads incessantly. She asks to do algebra problems during the car ride to school. The first thing she has wanted to do with her summer vacation every single year is finish her math book. By the time July rolls around, she is asking when she can go back to school.
Her teachers know her as a person so well. They help her grow academically and guide her in ways that support her school community. We have no idea how they fit all of this into a single school day.
Parent, Seth Blumsack
Rhys' family has been volunteering in the classroom since Rhys began Kindergarten. Parents are welcome participants at Friends School.
During the first week of the year, my third-grade daughter and her friends started developing plans to improve the Friends School playground. Only days later, they met with the Head of School to discuss ways to make their dreams a reality. Was I surprised? Not at all.
At Friends School, children are wholeheartedly encouraged and supported in leadership endeavors. Where there’s energy and drive, there’s a teacher or administrator there to guide. My daughter’s excitement for the way their ideas were received was palpable. Since then, she has given me daily updates on how they are gathering input, hashing out specifics, and moving forward.
When students requested new structures on the playground last year, they proudly took ownership and helped raise needed funds. Everyone has benefited from those additions. I’m excited to see what my daughter and her friends make happen this year!
Parent, Jess Avery
At Friends School, children are wholeheartedly encouraged and supported in leadership endeavors. Where there’s energy and drive, there’s a teacher or administrator there to guide. My daughter’s excitement for the way their ideas were received was palpable. Since then, she has given me daily updates on how they are gathering input, hashing out specifics, and moving forward.
When students requested new structures on the playground last year, they proudly took ownership and helped raise needed funds. Everyone has benefited from those additions. I’m excited to see what my daughter and her friends make happen this year!
Parent, Jess Avery
Free from the rigid demands of standardized testing mandates, teachers are able to “follow the flow” of the students in their class. If someone finds an interesting insect during recess and the class is curious, they can take the time to study it. If there is a strong interest in sharks, it can become a science unit or maybe even worked into a math lesson. Teachers possess the autonomy to guide the delivery of their curriculum to most effectively engage and enliven students.
Parent, Lauren Tomasch
Parent, Lauren Tomasch
Friends School is developing young minds into the adult leaders we need to change our world!
Parent, Lynn Williams
Parent, Lynn Williams
. . . After my own middle school experience, I didn't think it was possible for an adolescent to come through 5th-8th grade with zero bullying, zero self-esteem crashes, zero school aversion, and zero cliquishness, but our kid found in Friends a place where they are continually challenged and supported not just academically, but as a social and political citizen of the community and the world. And the middle school teachers, Bailey Kellermann and Laura Beckley, are the most gifted, creative, ethical, and dedicated teachers I've ever seen. Looking forward to Adelaide's school project zine, How to Be an Ally to LGBTQ+ kids.
Parent, Hester Blum
Parent, Hester Blum
