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Curriculum at a Glance Curriculum policies are established by each division. Principals oversee meetings when curriculum policies are discussed. To ensure that curriculum reflects the mission statement of the school, each discipline is periodically reviewed during faculty meetings. After careful assessment by school personnel about the strengths and weaknesses of the program related to that discipline, an evaluation is made. Because of the mission of the school, the curriculum is constantly modified.
The language arts curriculum offers children the opportunity to expand their view of themselves and their world. Children are exposed to literature of different people, cultures, sciences, and historical times and learn to appreciate and respect similarities and differences.
The social studies curriculum focuses on the study of people and their relationship with their social and physical environment. Through the integrated study of geography, history, world studies, and civics, students are provided opportunities to develop a strong sense of intellectual growth, creativity, social conscience, and community. The program has the unique responsibility of preparing students to become interesting, knowledgeable, and thoughtful citizens.
The mathematics curriculum promotes cooperative learning. Students share ideas and strategies through partner, small-group, and whole-group activities. They come to appreciate their own strengths and unique perspectives and those of their classmates as they explore the wide variety of successful strategies employed by Friends School students.
The science curriculum encourages students to closely observe, question, test, and evaluate the physical world. Hands-on scientific investigations encourage each child to develop reliable observation techniques that they can use in problem-solving situations throughout life.
The computer curriculum offers students a chance to connect with one-another and the greater world. Through acceptable use, students gain access to a broad range of resources, information, and experiences that expand knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of similarities and differences.
The library curriculum exposes students
to a variety of resources and encourages reading and research
through the physical, intellectual, and equitable access of
information and ideas. As a critical element in students’
intellectual development, the library promotes a quest for
learning, conveys the importance of using and evaluating information
and ideas throughout life, and supports a life-long love of
reading through the exploration and discussion of a variety
of literature genres, authors, and illustrators.
The study of Spanish and Spanish-speaking cultures is integral to the mission of Friends School. The Spanish curriculum aims to develop the communicative and imaginative potential of each child through the language arts and cultural studies. As Friends seeks to engage and enrich the whole person, so too does the school’s foreign language education strive to bring about each child’s awareness of the world, so that the child sees her/himself as a part of both local and world communities. Each Spanish lesson stimulates critical and reflective thinking in students, thinking that leads to a heightened sensitivity to the environment and the people inhabiting it. It develops an appreciation for and confidence in the communicative abilities and cultural life of all people. Spanish actively involves the whole child in refining his or her personal expression, and increases each child’s ability to compassionately connect with others.
While fostering individuality and creating awareness of our diverse cultural heritage, the art program helps to build community with projects which give students the opportunity to work together, negotiate, and put their skills and creativity at the disposal of the group.
The physical education curriculum is designed to incorporate Quaker values of tolerance and respect for others. Students are taught to support one-another, to resolve conflicts peacefully, and to display good sportsmanship. Physical education class becomes a place where students compete not against one-another, but against their own best efforts.
The framework of the music curriculum is a vehicle for students to express themselves through singing, movement, creating, and performing, while developing the skills to work together in a community (musical ensemble), to reach personal and group goals and to have a heightened awareness and understanding of world cultures.
The Extended Day program provides a structured environment where students can have fun, complete homework in a quiet space, take part in arts and crafts projects, spend time outside playing games, go on nature walks, and participate in organized sports. Extended Day focuses primarily on fun, but many projects and activities enhance classroom and community learning, such as service projects both on and off campus. The Extended Day program allows students of all ages to form special friendships outside of the classroom and create their own community, regardless of age or grade.
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