FMS's Curriculum is based on the following guiding principles:
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Acceptance and Appreciation
High School is a place and time in life for exploration, discovery, transition and growth. FMS offers a safe, caring environment where students are known  and appreciated for who they are. This safe and nurturing environment gives students the security and freedom to explore new ideas, skills, and beliefs as they are being challenged during their journey to adulthood.
Students have advisors who meet with them frequently, both formally and informally, to discuss academics, social realities, service and internship possibilities. Later their advisor helps them navigate the college admissions process or otherwise plan for their future. No student lacks for assistance.
FMS takes the time to teach students how to resolve conflicts in a non-violent manner, to relate to peers and others in healthy and productive ways, and to build confidence in themselves so that they can experience successful relationships in a variety of arenas.
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Global Perspective
Over and over again we hear colleges, universities and employers bemoan the fact that most students arrive at their doors lacking the broader world knowledge base needed to thrive in higher education and the workplace. Quakers have a long history of service to others and inclusiveness of others' beliefs and traditions. FMS engages its students in learning about other cultures and cultural norms and practices from around the world, even from right next door.
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Stellar Science and Math
Advanced math and science courses are offered to meet every individual's needs. Differentiated instuction allows all students to reach their highest potential. Lab science, theoretical science, and applied science are integrated in the curriculum. Students are exposed to a variety of sciences including, biology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, and agricultureal science. FMS provides context and use for these skills by engaging students in projects. Not only do they learn science and math, but they apply those skills in building new, environmentally-friendly structures. Our entire 54 acre campus is a living laboratory!
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Vibrant Humanities and Language Arts
Our integrated humanities and language arts programs include service learning and cross cultural study into everyday lessons. Students can sit in on town meetings, participate in Washington politics, travel to our sister school in Guatemala, or travel with their parents with specialized assignments. Learning extends well beyond our classroom walls and beyond our state's or nation's borders. Often the students involved in these types of educational experiences return to campus to share their adventures and lessons with the entire student body. Such richness of experience is critical to the development of the whole student.
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Internships and Service
Friends Meeting School wants to graduate students who are knowledgeable, insighful, and supportive citizens. Giving students opportunities to serve their communities is an effective way to accomplish this goal. Each year students are involved in internships that build a variety of skills, better preparing them for college and the work force. FMS partners with local businesses to provide all students with an experience that teaches them the tools needed to succeed not just in a variety of university settings or careers, but in life.
Classes and individuals plan and carry out their service projects with the guidance of their  teachers and advisors. Ideally students integrate what they are learning in their courses with their service projects. This is not, however, a requirement. Students must work toward achieving and documenting at least 75 hours of service before graduation.
The possibilities for a internships are only limited by students' imaginations. Some of the many proposals have been: planning, designing, creating and maintaining a koi pond or butterfly garden; designing and creating an outdoor amphitheater type space; working with human services groups in areas of interest: the elderly, the young, the homeless, the malnourished, the impoverished, or fire and EMT services; designing and creating an outdoor sculpture; oral history projects; environment green design and construction projects; zoo management; working with political and social justice parties and groups; and learning within the realms of retail businesses or professional firms.
The internship/service learning program is an integral part of developing the whole student.
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Thriving Visual and Performing Arts
 Friends Meeting School has an excellent reputation in Arts Education as a result of having teachers that bring the Arts to life for students at every grade level. So many schools have cut back on their arts programs, leaving students with limited opportunities to explore and build areas of their brains that are essential to creative problem solving in a complex world.
At FMS all students actively engage in performing and visual arts, and additional student-driven independent study is accommodated and encouraged.
Our annual school play is performed on the "big stage" at the Weinberg Theater in Frederick and most of the student body is involved on or off stage. Instrumental performance and music composition, improvisation groups, digital photography, drawing and painting are just a few of the opportunities available to FMS students. And with our integrated approach to education, virtually all classes present opportunities for artistic expression.
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