Brooklyn Friends School
Coordinates: 40°41′33″N 73°59′17″W / 40.6926°N 73.9881°W
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| Brooklyn Friends School | |
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| Location | |
| Brooklyn, New York, 11201 United States |
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| Information | |
| School type | private |
| Denomination | Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) |
| Established | 1867 |
| Founder | Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) |
| Status | open |
| Head of school | Larry Weiss |
| Grades | Pre-kindergarten — Grade 12 |
| Gender | coeducational |
| Age range | 2 - 19 |
| Enrollment | 700 |
| Average class size | 11 students |
| Campus type | urban |
| Color(s) | Blue and Gray |
| Mascot | Panther |
| Publication | Scribe, Wordflirt |
| School fees | U.S.$3,000-US$4,000 |
| Tuition | U.S.$$15,700- U.S.$32,050 |
| Affiliation | Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) |
| Former name | |
| Website | http://www.brooklynfriends.org |
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Brooklyn Friends School is a Quaker school in New York City. Brooklyn Friends School (BFS) is an independent, college preparatory Quaker school serving a culturally diverse educational community of approximately 700 students, ages 20 months through 12th grade.
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History [edit]
Founded in 1867 by the Religious Society of Friends as a coeducational, nonsectarian school, Brooklyn Friends School is one of the oldest continuously operating independent schools in New York City. [1]
From an initial student body of 17, the school now enrolls 777 students from Preschool through 12th grade, with a faculty and staff of 180. While the percentage of Quaker families and staff is small, the school’s Quaker heritage has remained central to its mission.
Starting as a grade school, BFS added a kindergarten in 1902, a high school division in 1907, and a Preschool and Family Center in 1985 and 1992 respectively. The most recent addition, the BFS Preschool has gained prominence as one of the city’s premier early learning centers.[2]
Diversity [edit]
The school’s longtime, continuing commitment to ethnic and racial diversity has led to BFS being recognized as one of the most diverse[clarification needed] independent schools in the country.[citation needed] Students of color[clarification needed] comprise about 37% of the total student enrollment. About 20% of the faculty and staff are of color.[clarification needed]
Academics [edit]
Brooklyn Friends School is split into four academic levels: Preschool, Lower School (K-4), Middle School (5-8), and Upper School (9-12).
Lower School (K-4) [edit]
The Lower School curriculum includes classes in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, Spanish, dance, music, visual arts, woodworking, physical education, and health.
Middle School (5-8) [edit]
The middle school curriculum includes classes in the humanities (English and history), mathematics, science, languages, visual arts, performing arts, physical education, health/life skills, organization and study skills and information technology.
Upper School(9-12) [edit]
The Brooklyn Friends Upper School curriculum provides every student with a strong and broad foundation in the arts, humanities, sciences, and ethics. Over four years, students are continually encouraged to reach as far as their strength and talents will carry them.[citation needed]
Ninth and tenth grade students enjoy the support of a special program crafted for each class. In a coordinated approach, groups of ninth grade students take courses in English, history, and visual or performing arts together so that their teachers can converse and plan as they address their needs and encourage their growth. The approach is similar for tenth graders. In the ninth and tenth grades, particular attention is paid to community building, developing strong communication skills, and promoting a healthy lifestyle, good study habits, and effective time management.
Under the guidance of a faculty advisor and Upper School Head, students work out a rigorous program of study that meets their needs, interests and abilities. Initial placement in math and foreign language varies according to the level of accomplishment each student exhibits. Flexibility in course offerings permits those with particular ability in these areas to move forward at a pace that makes the best educational sense for them. As students progress, they are presented with choices so that they may fashion a largely individualized program in their junior and senior years. The depth of our[who?] faculty's strengths permits diverse elective offerings, with courses beyond the college entrance level in both the humanities and sciences.[citation needed]
Brooklyn Friends School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for students in the 11th and 12th grades. This internationally recognized program allows students to explore specific subjects with breadth and depth in six major areas. The curriculum encourages critical thinking through the study of traditional college preparatory curricula while at the same time offers an international perspective. In addition, IB students are required to participate actively in creative activities and community service, as well as completing an individual research project (extended essay) and an inquiry course that delves into the nature of knowledge (Theory of Knowledge course).[3]
The graduation requirements for The Upper School are:
- English (4 years)
- Mathematics (4 years)
- History/Social Sciences (4 years)
- Lab Science (3 years)
- Foreign Language (3 consecutive levels)
- Visual and/or Performing Arts (3 years)
- Quakerism (1 semester)
- Introduction to Ethics (1 semester)
- Study Skills with Computer & Media Literacy (1 semester)
- Life Skills (1 semester)
- Physical Education (4 years)
- Fulfillment of Community Service and CAS requirements[4]
Student Leadership and Activities [edit]
All students in grades 3-12 take overnight trips as part of the Outdoor Education Program and the foreign language curriculum. Leadership opportunities for Middle and Upper Schoolers include the Model United Nations, student judiciary, El Club Latino, the Social Action Committee, and the Building Committee.
Students take a “hands-on” approach in addressing social issues, participating in age-appropriate projects: Preschoolers might bake food for senior citizens, Lower Schoolers might hold a read-a-thon fundraiser for local, national or international humanitarian groups, Middle Schoolers might share their computer skills with senior citizens, and Upper Schoolers volunteer directly with community organizations. All Upper School students are required to perform 100 hours of community service— 20 hours in the school, and 80 out in the community.
The Middle School Student Council represents the Middle School in governing matters. The Upper School Student Senate, consisting of elected representatives from each grade, makes recommendations to the administration and conducts monthly “town meetings,” organizes dances and other social events. Work on the Student Senate helps students focus on their strengths and leadership abilities, improve their public speaking skills, and work collaboratively with others. Composed of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the president and senator of each grade, the Senate also coordinates student clubs and activities that meet weekly. Our[who?] Upper School students also annually participate in the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference, a nationwide conference affording students and faculty an opportunity to discuss leadership issues, school missions, and community issues both schoolwide and worldwide.[5]
Athletics [edit]
Brooklyn Friends also has an athletics program that includes soccer, volleyball, cross country, baseball, and basketball. In the year of 2003, the boys varsity basketball team won the New York State Championship.
A Quaker School [edit]
Every school day begins with a few minutes of silence in the classroom. Middle and Upper School students also attend Quaker Meeting for Worship once a week, in the historic Schermerhorn Street Meeting House.
At Quaker Meeting for Worship, students and faculty sit in silence, and if they feel moved to say something, they stand and speak. The practice is intended to add a spiritual dimension to the educational experience and encourages student to be thoughtful, active listeners.
At Brooklyn Friends School, Upper School students gain an intellectual understanding of Quakerism and world religions through required courses in religion, ethics, and Quakerism.[6]
Each week, a Friends school community gathers for Quaker Meeting. Each person having with him or herself the ability to discern the truth, Friends worship silently, waiting upon the spirit. Students and teachers are encouraged to speak from their hearts, if so moved. The unstructured nature of Quaker Meeting, with its focus on the power of the gathered group, gives everyone, regardless of a particular faith, a powerful tool for spiritual growth. They are asked to turn to their Inner Light for guidance in living their lives. Quaker Meeting makes explicit the connection between the inward and outward life that is unique in Quaker education.[7]
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This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. (January 2012) |
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- Notes
- ^ "Stats". Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ [=http://www.brooklynfriends.org/history "History"]. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ "Upper School". Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ "Graduation Requirements". Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ "Leadership". Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ "Quaker Meeting". Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ "Quaker". Retrieved 8 September 2011.
