Philosophy

FWS has built its program on three essential concepts: Core Values, the Multiple Intelligence Model, and A Spiritual Dimension.

Core Values: Curiosity, Engagement, Compassion

In discussion with parents, staff, and board, we have identified three values that we share with the staff, students and supporters of our school:

Curiosity motivates the intellect and motivates discovery and experimentation, which in turn, leads to true education.
Engagement means that the children, teachers, and parents are all involved and interested in the learning going on in the classroom and engaged with each other seeing it happen.
Compassion is how we see others as we grow in cooperation and collaboration, listening carefully, speaking truthfully, allowing time for reflection, and working together toward outcomes.

Multiple Intelligences

Our philosophy draws its fundamental inspiration from the multiple intelligence model. Friends Western School's curricula and practices are based on the belief that all children are intelligent in a variety of ways. This idea has been articulated by Howard Gardner in Frames of Mind (1984) and Intelligence Reframed (1999). He identified the following areas of intelligence: Language, Mathematical, Spatial, Musical, Physical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Natural.

—> See the Multiple Intelligence Inventory for a more complete explanation.

A Spiritual Dimension

Children have a natural spiritual curiosity that can be nurtured and brought forward as larger issues. Peace, family, community, and fairness arise in lived or mediated experience and in imagination.

Friends Western School is a unique gem among what I consider overly competitive, non-creative and over priced schools. Individualized curriculum, field trips almost weekly, yoga, community lunches, Spanish and a very small student body make this school more like a family. There is no obligation to fundraise like in many private schools, however almost 100% of parents participate with no pressure whatsoever. The academic director is someone I respect very much intellectually. Flexibility for homeschooled families, and flexibility in general make this a great school for families who travel, work or just live an alternative lifestyle. The focus on communication and social responsibility make it truly unique. We love it!
– Parent