Quaker Education & Values

Challenging the mind. Nourishing the spirit.

Most students, parents, and staff at FSW are not Quaker. We follow varied religious traditions—or none at all—but our identity as a Friends School is central to who we are. Friends believe that each person has the capacity for goodness and a responsibility to attain that goodness. We regard education as preparation for the whole of life: the lively development of intellectual, physical, and social-emotional capacities, as well as those of the spirit.

Friends School teachers are facilitators of the learning process, using dialogue, reflection, and inquiry as tools for learning in the classroom, and students regard all of life as sacred and resonate with meaning. At its core, a Friends School aims to provide a holistic education that combines academic excellence with the development of ethical character, social responsibility, and spiritual growth.

Quakers collectively agree on a core set of principles to guide positive change in the world—within and beyond—an educational mission. The acronym SPICES, representing simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship, is commonly used to recall these values.

Quaker Education: Preparing Students to Transform the World

Quaker Education: What the World Needs Now

The Quaker's Cabinet of SPICES

Simplicity

The testimony of simplicity seeks to focus our attention on what is essential and eternal, without distraction by the transitory or the trivial. Plain and honest speech is an expression of simplicity. Respect for creation and, therefore, concern for the environment and the right use of the world's resources is another obvious expression of this testimony. A growth economy based on extravagance, wastefulness, and artificially stimulated wants is seen to be a fundamental violation of the testimony of simplicity.

Peace

The peace testimony has meant efforts to ease suffering of victims of war on all sides. It means efforts to be or to seek a reconciling force between peoples and nations in conflict. It means a constant search for nonviolent means of conflict resolution through institutions of law, such as international treaties and structures. It means a continuing search for peace and social justice through personal and group nonviolent techniques for mediation and social change.

Integrity

Community

Equality

We firmly hold that every individual possesses inherent worth and dignity, regardless of factors such as gender, race, sexuality, social status, or background. We acknowledge the Light within each person and strive to treat all individuals with respect, fairness, and justice, promoting equality in all aspects of life. For more than 370 years, Quakers have actively worked towards creating a world where everyone is recognized and valued as equal, striving to dismantle systems of oppression and fostering inclusive communities that embrace all aspects of diversity.

Stewardship

Friends worldwide recognize that the well-being of the earth is a fundamental spiritual concern. Our planet as a whole, not just the small parts of it in our immediate custody, requires our responsible attention. We are called to walk gently and avoid wasteful and extravagant consumption, instead acting as models and patterns of living simply with concern for the environment.

Unique Learning Outcomes

Whole-Child Development

We emphasize the development of the whole person. Academic excellence is complemented by a focus on character development, critical thinking, imaginative creativity, and interpersonal communion. Students are encouraged to explore their passions, develop their unique strengths, and grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Informed Decision-Making

We encourage students to develop independent and discerning minds, fostering critical thinking skills through open-ended inquiry, self-reflection, and respectful questioning. Students are empowered to explore diverse perspectives, challenge assumptions, and think carefully about complex issues to reach informed decisions. In so doing, we also uphold the tenants of peaceful conflict resolution which emphasizes active listening, constructive dialogue, and growth mindsets.

Service-Learning Model

We provide an education grounded in values such as integrity, equality, courage, and compassion. This fosters a strong moral compass, ethical decision-making skills, and a sense of responsibility towards others and the world. Students are encouraged to be actively engaged in their communities, addressing local and global challenges, and advocating for positive change. We foster a sense of civic responsibility that prepares students to be compassionate leaders through every stage of their life journeys.

Community Building

We prioritize creating a welcoming and inclusive community where every individual is valued and respected. Students benefit from a supportive environment that nurtures their social and emotional well-being, encouraging collaboration, empathy, and a sense of belonging. We emphasize collaborative learning models and value the contributions of each individual. Students engage in cooperative projects, discussions, and decision-making processes that promote teamwork, empathy, and shared responsibility.

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