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About Friends School

• Virginia Beach Friends School was founded in 1955 and carries on the 350 year tradition of Quaker education. From a one-room school, we have grown to a vibrant and diverse student body of 235 students. We offer programs for students aged three through seniors in high school.

• The educational programs at Virginia Beach Friends are characterized by rigorous academic challenge balanced with an emphasis on personal responsibility, leadership development, creative expression, social awareness, and spiritual development. We strive to create an environment that celebrates each individual's unique gifts in a safe and nurturing atmosphere while challenging students to exceed themselves, to try new things and to take risks in the pursuit of knowledge.

6:1 Student/Teacher

• Virginia Beach Friends School maintains an excellent faculty to student ratio of one faculty member for every six students. Small classes ensure that each student receives the individual attention that he needs to be successful. Direct engagement between student and teacher characterizes our school.

• Each School within the school has its own building for core academic instruction. Individual buildings for each division allow the school to tailor the buildings in age-appropriate ways, from the Cottage to the Upper School Building. This gives each age group its own identity while enjoying the advantages of being a learning community for all ages. Separate facilities for elective classes allow for a diverse range of elective offerings from pottery to video production and are shared by all ages.

Accreditation

• Virginia Beach Friends School is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and is a member of both the National Association of Independent Schools and the Friends Council on Education.

Physical Education

• The Wilson Center, dedicated in 2003, contains additional classroom space and a gymnasium. The campus also features two playgrounds for the Early and Lower Schools, a blacktop with a tennis court and basketball goals for older student recreation, and a regulation soccer field.

21,000 Books

• One of the jewels of Virginia Beach Friends School is the library. Located in the center of the campus, our library is a favorite meeting place for students of all ages. The library collection boasts over 21,000 volumes, nearly ninety books per student.
• Students at Virginia Beach Friends exude energy and enthusiasm whether doing artwork, studying, playing sports, or simply hanging out. They clearly care about each other and the world around them.