What We Do

Academics

The Whole Child

As a progressive school, FCS focuses on educating the whole child: socially, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, creatively, and physically. Students are supported in a multitude of ways in their learning journey from mastery of basic skills to higher-order thinking.

Curricula and instruction are informed by current thinking and research in education as well as the vast experience of our faculty and staff. In both the FCS Lower School and Middle School, we focus on fostering individual student responsibility and choice-making throughout the academic and social-emotional programs.

Our Goals

It is of primary importance that FCS graduates feel that they can make a difference in the world. Our goals are for every FCS student to:
  • Participate actively in their own learning;
  • Acquire all the skills necessary--both practical and academic--to enhance their interaction with the world;
  • Have courage to take academic risks without worrying about failure;
  • Know how to construct meaning and apply knowledge to real-world issues;
  • Develop a positive self-image;
  • Respect and appreciate people's individual differences and the richness that flows from them;
  • Feel a sense of responsibility for contributing to their world;
  • Discover the creative force within our environment;
  • Embrace environmental stewardship;
  • Value service and commitment to others;
  • Strive to be peacemakers;
  • Acquire an enduring love of learning, and
  • Show emotional and social maturity in their choices.

Progressive vs. Traditional Education:

  • Learning is spiral, with depth and breadth as goals.

    Excerpted from table by Robert G. Peters, with thanks to the books Schools of Quality, by John Jay Bonstingl, and In Search of Understanding: The Case for Constructivist Classrooms, by Martin C. Brooks and Jacqueline Grennon.

  • School is a challenging and fun part of life.

    Excerpted from table by Robert G. Peters, with thanks to the books Schools of Quality, by John Jay Bonstingl, and In Search of Understanding: The Case for Constructivist Classrooms, by Martin C. Brooks and Jacqueline Grennon.

  • Teachers are facilitators, guides who foster thinking.

    Excerpted from table by Robert G. Peters, with thanks to the books Schools of Quality, by John Jay Bonstingl, and In Search of Understanding: The Case for Constructivist Classrooms, by Martin C. Brooks and Jacqueline Grennon.

Located in College Park, MD, Friends Community School is a progressive Quaker K-8 day school, founded on the belief that every child is a valued member of our community. We offer a challenging curriculum imbued with strong values of equality, integrity, community, environmental stewardship, simplicity and peaceful conflict resolution, rooted in our Quaker heritage.
Friends Community School
5901 Westchester Park Drive
College Park, Maryland 20740
301-441-2100