United Friends School was founded as a cooperative school in 1983 by a group of parents seeking an education for children based on the Quaker principles of care for one another, such as truthfulness, simplicity, community, and peaceful settlement of disputes. The founders envisioned a school that would provide a nurturing environment where children would be encouraged to reach their full and unique potential through an extensive and flexible academic program. They sought to create a school where parent involvement would not only be welcomed, but expected.
The founding parents of United Friends School also envisioned a school where children learn by experience. They valued opportunities for children to learn, not only from their teachers, but from one another. They envisioned small classes allowing teachers the opportunity to interact effectively with children of different ages and abilities.
Consistent with Quaker values, United Friends School seeks to emphasize the Light of God within each individual. The school fosters the practices and principles of Quakerism as an experiential part of school life, focusing on the testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Service, and Equality. Students build this by attending Meeting for Worship, studying the history of Quakerism, participating in service and outreach projects, practicing non-violent conflict resolution techniques, making decisions by consensus, and participating in Meeting for Worship for Business. In this way, the school nourishes spiritual growth within each child and inspires a greater sense of self-worth and respect for others.
The school is located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.
Famous quotes containing the words united, friends and/or school:
“In the United States adherence to the values of the masculine mystique makes intimate, self-revealing, deep friendships between men unusual.”
—Myriam Miedzian, U.S. author. Boys Will Be Boys, introduction (1991)
“For character too is a process and an unfolding ... among our valued friends is there not someone or other who is a little too self confident and disdainful; whose distinguished mind is a little spotted with commonness; who is a little pinched here and protruberent there with native prejudices; or whose better energies are liable to lapse down the wrong channel under the influence of transient solicitations?”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)
“Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow,
And every where that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go;
He followed her to school one day—
That was against the rule,
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.”
—Sarah Josepha Buell Hale (1788–1879)