Mission & Philosophy

Our Mission

Friends Academy provides the educational foundation needed for a lifetime of learning and personal growth by instilling in our students:

• Academic knowledge, skills, and understanding
• Responsible citizenship
• Respect for diversity and differences
• A sense of well-being

This mission is based on the beliefs that:

• Academic knowledge, skills, and understanding include the areas of English, mathematics, natural and social sciences, world languages, and the arts and the skills of reading, reasoning, computing, investigating, writing, speaking, problem-solving, and creating.
• Responsible citizenship includes honesty, commitment, and respect for others, the environment, and the community.
• Respect for diversity and differences involves building a community and creating programs and curriculum that are attentive to issues of learning, race, ethnicity, family configuration, sexual orientation, gender, religion, and economic status.
• A sense of well-being is nurtured through the development of self-esteem, self-confidence, and healthy social interactions.

We believe the goals of this mission are best met by:

• Achieving academic excellence by challenging students at an appropriate level.
• Nurturing development within a school community environment.
• Stimulating curiosity and desire to learn.
• Offering a wide range of individual and collaborative learning activities.
• Providing opportunities for service to others.
• Working in partnership with families.

Accomplishing the mission of Friends Academy is the shared responsibility of the whole school community. For that reason, Friends expects of students, teachers, staff, trustees, and families a dedication to academic excellence, a willingness to work energetically and cooperatively toward common goals in all activities, a respect both for themselves and for the individual differences of others, and a determination to reach beyond merely comfortable limits of knowledge and experience.

Our Philosophy of Teaching & Learning

Friends Academy is a child-centered school that emphasizes a balanced approach to developing the intellectual, social, physical, and artistic growth in each child. We offer a rigorous, progressive education, which embraces a culture of diverse learning and expression, honoring each member’s unique contribution to the larger community.

Lower School provides an education rooted in solid academics defined by active, experimental, inquiry-based learning. Middle School builds upon this foundation to support the developmental growth and independence of our adolescents. Our teachers cultivate joyful, informed, inspired learners equipped with the ability and inclination to be courageous, empathetic, and reflective citizens of their community.

We foster a nurturing environment where children feel safe, where their individuality is celebrated, and where they are encouraged to take risks.

We teach for understanding in order to develop flexible thinkers who are able to actively and skillfully reflect upon what they have learned and apply it in new situations.

We blend innovative research-based teaching practices with fundamental skill development, creating a curriculum where children and teachers co-construct their educational journey.

We subscribe to the principles of global citizenry and are committed to promoting social justice and service learning in our community.

We recognize that each child enriches our community with their unique skills, perspectives, learning styles, and experiences.

We believe in an education that empowers children to become independent thinkers who can transform ideas into meaningful action.