Quaker Values
We integrate the values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship in a nurturing community that encourages mutual respect, personal responsibility, and the fulfillment of each person’s potential, based on the Quaker belief that there is that of God in everyone. |
Academic Excellence
We are focused on developing each student’s ability to apply knowledge, solve problems, and use critical thinking skills in developing life-long learners. Friends School is one of the few schools in the area to offer Singapore Math, a globally top ranked math program. In addition we maintain a low student to teacher ratio. |
Athletics
We provide a cooperative environment which encourages and allows every child the opportunity to participate, compete, and become part of a team. Good sportsmanship is emphasized and is the cornerstone of our program. Our competitive team sports include volleyball, basketball, baseball and coed cross country. |
Mindfulness: An Integral Part of Friends School Culture
Teacher Charisse
Much has been written recently about the practice of Mindfulness. Anderson Cooper featured the subject on his program recently and NBC News broadcast a piece on the positive impact of meditation on students. This concept is not new to Friends and is integral to our School Culture. Teacher Charisse Spencer currently guides Mindfulness activities at Friends School.
As a Mindfulness Trainer I work with men and women of all ages and races. Participants include individuals of various educational and economic levels: students and teachers, workers and executives, technicians and healthcare professionals. The practice of Mindfulness can enhance creativity, team building, and stress reduction. It may represent a creative way to reach a child or person for whom traditional learning is ineffective.
What I love about working with Friends School is that Mindfulness is already an organic component of the Quaker Philosophy. The Quaker practice of “Silence” lends itself to Mindfulness, whether it is found within the individual or group. At Friends School all meetings begin in silence, whether the focus is students, faculty and staff or parents. Meeting for Worship, held once a week, allows time for students and faculty to share the silence as a community. It is amazing watching the little ones look around at their older peers, seeking to emulate what they've seen. They are not intellectualizing, they are learning experientially, a core principal of Mindfulness.
Before I was ever introduced to Quakerism I found it intriguing that at our Teen Mindfulness Retreats, no matter where they were held, there were always a few participants from Quaker Schools. They had been introduced to Mindfulness as part of the Quaker philosophy and wanted to extend their experience. Once I began working at Friends I could see there was a natural correlation between the two.
As I listened to the participating business leaders on the recent 60 Minutes Mindfulness report, I thought about Friends School. These executives talked about their desire to pass these skills on to their own children to help them maneuver effectively through our loud, hectic world. This is a road on which Friends School students travel daily.
Teacher Charisse has been a Mindfulness consultant and trainer for the past seven years. Among others, she works with iBme (Inward Bound Mindfulness Education) based out of western Virginia which works with teens throughout the U.S. She specializes in the .b Curriculum Program (stop, breath, be) based out of the UK, which trains teachers and professionals internationally. She specializes in Mindfulness and the Arts and carries a BS MCV/VCU and an MA from NYC Tsich School of the Arts.
As a Mindfulness Trainer I work with men and women of all ages and races. Participants include individuals of various educational and economic levels: students and teachers, workers and executives, technicians and healthcare professionals. The practice of Mindfulness can enhance creativity, team building, and stress reduction. It may represent a creative way to reach a child or person for whom traditional learning is ineffective.
What I love about working with Friends School is that Mindfulness is already an organic component of the Quaker Philosophy. The Quaker practice of “Silence” lends itself to Mindfulness, whether it is found within the individual or group. At Friends School all meetings begin in silence, whether the focus is students, faculty and staff or parents. Meeting for Worship, held once a week, allows time for students and faculty to share the silence as a community. It is amazing watching the little ones look around at their older peers, seeking to emulate what they've seen. They are not intellectualizing, they are learning experientially, a core principal of Mindfulness.
Before I was ever introduced to Quakerism I found it intriguing that at our Teen Mindfulness Retreats, no matter where they were held, there were always a few participants from Quaker Schools. They had been introduced to Mindfulness as part of the Quaker philosophy and wanted to extend their experience. Once I began working at Friends I could see there was a natural correlation between the two.
As I listened to the participating business leaders on the recent 60 Minutes Mindfulness report, I thought about Friends School. These executives talked about their desire to pass these skills on to their own children to help them maneuver effectively through our loud, hectic world. This is a road on which Friends School students travel daily.
Teacher Charisse has been a Mindfulness consultant and trainer for the past seven years. Among others, she works with iBme (Inward Bound Mindfulness Education) based out of western Virginia which works with teens throughout the U.S. She specializes in the .b Curriculum Program (stop, breath, be) based out of the UK, which trains teachers and professionals internationally. She specializes in Mindfulness and the Arts and carries a BS MCV/VCU and an MA from NYC Tsich School of the Arts.
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