Interim Head of School
Herbert “Pete” Jaques, Jr.

Thank you for visiting our website, and welcome. As you will see as you browse, there’s a lot to explore here. Friends School Haverford, or FSH, is a small, vibrant community, one we’re happy to share. For many, Quakerism and Friends education may be new concepts. (Quakers and Friends are largely interchangeable words.)  What are they exactly?  How do they work at FSH?

Children in Friends schools develop a broad perspective on life earlier than many others. That breadth often translates into perceivable academic and social benefits.   Here’s how it happens. In Quaker schools, there is an emphasis rooted in Meeting for Worship upon seeking “that of God” in everyone, and upon hearing each voice equally.  Quakers do business collaboratively, seeking if not consensus then “the sense of the meeting.”  In addition, the Friends peace testimony is well known, and requires patience, careful listening, and poise.  At FSH, we ask ourselves as well as our students to operate within these precepts.

The cumulative effects can be readily observed as our students reach their upper elementary years: they can write from multiple perspectives; in subjects such as literature, social studies, art and science, they are able to discuss complex topics in considerable depth; they are mature and able to engage adults comfortably; and at the schools they attend after FSH, they are often social leaders because their values are deeply instilled, and they’ve learned how to handle conflict in a peaceful way.  We frequently hear these assessments from the schools our graduates attend.

FSH is an elementary school.  We believe that there is plenty of time left for middle and high school after childhood.  All of our resources and know-how go to educating 3-12 year olds.  Our teaching is firmly rooted in child development, our curriculum is grounded in national standards, and our knowledge of students as learners is thorough.  Our 5^th and especially 6^th graders must become leaders in our small school, so they do.   When graduates leave us, they are well trained academically and richly exposed to the world. They understand the value of community, and have practiced how to sustain it.  It’s no surprise to us that they keep on succeeding.   We’re proud of them.

Friends School Haverford launches thoughtful young citizens as well as strong students.  If you are interested in this kind of education for your child, we invite you to visit and see us in action.

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