A Friends School Education
What sets a Friends School education apart?
Quaker schools are rooted in a tradition that values academic excellence alongside a commitment to justice, respect for all, and making a positive difference in the world.
Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, are a spiritual community that began in England in the 1600s. Quakers have played a significant role in shaping American history, including through Quaker schools, which have existed in the United States for over 300 years. There are over 70 Quaker elementary and secondary schools in the US, representing some of the nation’s most highly regarded educational institutions. On the college level, many respected schools like Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore were founded as Quaker institutions.
Quaker schools don’t just prepare students for college or careers—they prepare them for a life of purpose, integrity, and impact. That’s because a Quaker education fosters an inclusive and student-centered learning environment that emphasizes critical thinking, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.
A Friends education is set apart by:
- A Nurturing Community Built on Care and Connection
- Curiosity-Driven, Inquiry-Based Learning
- Experiential Learning that Incorporates Collaboration and Inspires Reflection and Growth
- Service as Core Value and a Passion for Environmental Stewardship
- A Deep Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice, Creating a Culture of Respect
- Teachers as Mentors, Guides, and Co-Learners
- Spiritual Reflection, Silent Worship, and Inner Growth that Foster Empowered Voices
Quaker (Friends) Education represents a unique combination of academic excellence and spiritual depth.
Quaker Values in Action: the SPICES
At SSFS, we have a profound sense of hope in the individual's ability to create positive change within the world, and we foster the values that create change:
Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship.
These values are sometimes referred to by their acronym, the SPICES.
FAQs About Quakerism
- Does a student need to be a Quaker to attend SSFS?
- What does it mean to be a Quaker?
- How is Quakerism experienced through an SSFS education?
- What does "Let Your Lives Speak" mean?
- Is religious instruction part of the SSFS curriculum?
- Is there a specific connection between Quakers and anti-racism?