Testimonials
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Excerpts from a report by visitors to the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Committee on Advancement and Outreach:
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"Here are some highlights from our tour of the school, and our conversation with Head of School Annette Breiling: Diversity is highly valued in the School. Students are encouraged to celebrate their own cultural and religious traditions, and to appreciate differences....The spiritual "themes" for each month of the school year are prominently posted on a bulletin board....Each theme is illustrated by a set of simple queries, designed to help students explore how these values are expressed in daily life...The School has a strong music and performing arts program....Math classes are all held at the same time, so that students can be re-grouped into classes based on proficiency rather than grade. Initial assignments are based on testing done when a student enrolls, and students are encouraged to advance at their own pace. Quite a few students are taking math classes well above their grade level. Friends Meeting School aims to educate the whole child, and recognizes the many different kinds of intelligence that require different learning strategies. Spiritual, emotional, and social development are valued just as highly as academic achievement. The large, well-stocked Library was assembled mostly from books donated or purchased by the parents. Parental involvement in the school is enthusiastic and generous. The classrooms we visited were bright with student artwork and rich in teaching supplies. The school is clearly full to the bursting point. There were Spanish classes being taught in the Library and the Computer Lab, and the assembly room was being used for a Pre-K music and dance class. Everywhere we went, the students seemed absorbed and happy. The underlying rule of the school is that everyone will treat each other with respect. This is a radical and powerful idea in view of the bullying and intimidation that seem so deeply entrenched in most schools. Very few of the students at Friends Meeting School come from Quaker families, but they are receiving a wonderful introduction to Quaker values."
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"As the school year draws to an end, I wanted to let you know what a wonderful experience [my child] had in Kindergarten this year and how pleased we are that we chose Friends Meeting School for her. A large part of [my child's] success in Kindergarten is attributable to the hard work and dedication of [her teachers]. [She] has made remarkable progress in all academic areas since the beginning of the school year - she is reading and solving math problems that I believe are well beyond that of the average Kindergarten student. I'm positive that her progress is due to the excellent instruction and encouragement she receives in the classroom from [her teachers]. Perhaps more importantly than her academic success is the development of [her] social and emotional development. [My child] entered Kindergarten a bit unsure of herself, but thanks to the positive and nurturing atmosphere set by [the teachers] in the classroom she has grown to feel confident and to love being in school. [My child] enjoys being in school so much that even when given the opportunity to leave early (for example, for Grandparents Day) or to miss a day due to a doctor's appointment it is always her choice and desire to remain in school. In fact, during one of the snow days she told me that she would choose going to school over going to Chuck E. Cheese. The confidence [my child] has gained extends beyond the classroom - I have witnessed her behavior in Sunday school, karate and swim class. In each of those settings she is not the shy little girl she once was - she actively participates, asks questions and shares her thoughts, ideas and knowledge openly and freely. She is more confident with her peers and easily interacts with other children she does not know at the playground and in other social settings. In my opinion, [the teachers] have done an outstanding job with the Kindergarten class this year and with [my child] in particular. I am sure she would not have achieved such academic or social/emotional growth without the hard work of [her teachers] in providing both excellent academic instruction and a classroom setting that encourages the students to feel safe, confident and secure."
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| "I found my that [my children's] experiences at Friends Meeting School exceeded my high expectations. In addition to the C's (Courage, Character and Confidence) they both experienced gifts of learning to discover, create, wonder, enjoy, dream, celebrate, live, love and laugh utilizing their own personalities, interests and strengths. In a positive, nurturing environment, they were given the opportunity to bring out their strengths and let their individuality grow in addition to experiencing new friendships and learning about academic fundamentals and classroom rules and expectations." |
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Parent of Alumni
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| "'Seek and Speak Truth and Love' is the motto of Friends Meeting School...our entire family have been beneficiaries of this credo. Our daughter has grown intellectually, creatively, and spiritually in an environment of caring and competence. The combination of rigorous coursework, exploration of monthly Quaker spiritual themes and a strong arts program is the product of both your vision and commitment to excellence. The faculty and staff and Friends Meeting School conduct themselves with the highest degree of professionalism, and are truly committed to nurturing and developing the whole child.... As a result of this truly exceptional experience, our daughter has 'blossomed' academically, creatively, and spiritually." |
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