• Interdisciplinary Quaker day school
• Grades K – 4
• Open to students of all religious and non-religious affiliations
• 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2 p.m. for K)
• Before and after care available
• Classrooms with 14-18 students and two teachers (9:1 ratio)
• Financial assistance available

Students in Friends Schools

• Learn through inquiry, reflection and action in daily life
• Search for truth, valuing the challenge of competing ideas
• Resolve conflicts by respecting and listening to each other
• Value and embrace the diversity of cultures and religions in our communities
• Work for the good of society through active service learning
• Act courageously in alignment with core moral beliefs

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Mission Statement

Friends School of Charlotte, grounded in the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and service, is dedicated to providing an educational experience that integrates the head, the hand, and the heart, resulting in a unique balance of academic excellence and spiritual depth. It is a learning community where each individual is treated with respect and where his or her uniqueness is honored. Friends School of Charlotte strives to teach students to listen within and to others, to express themselves, to think critically, to take responsibility, and to make a difference in their world. We expect our students to develop the skills, values, and confidence that support a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service.

Friends School of Charlotte, motivated by its Quaker principle of equality, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical disability, or socio-economic background. This policy applies to all programs and activities of the School, including, but not limited to, admission and employment practices, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs and athletic or other School-administered programs.

Philosophy

The philosophy of Friends School of Charlotte is rooted in the tenets of the Religious Society of Friends. The Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and service are daily habits and actions, which are incorporated into all aspects of school life. Each of these values influences how Friends School of Charlotte operates–from making decisions, to approaching conflict, to developing curriculum. Through these values our students learn that each person can be an agent for positive change in the world. We value the diversity of ideas, religions, races, cultures, abilities and economic backgrounds represented within our world community, and we are committed to representing and serving the multifaceted nature of humankind.

Peace, as a central testimony of the school community, is cultivated within individuals and in interactions with others. By teaching and practicing non-violent conflict resolution, students learn to view conflict as an opportunity for growth and change. Through honest, caring exchanges with each other, relationships founded on trust are nurtured and differences are accepted.

A weekly period of shared silence is the central spiritual experience of the school community, allowing time for individual reflection and thoughtful sharing. By providing students time for inner and outer stillness, we nurture each child on his or her own spiritual journey.

The pursuit of truth is valued for its own sake. Students are encouraged to seek truth by becoming critical thinkers who are actively engaged in the world. By leading students to the understanding that truth is dynamic, and that spiritual and physical truth are continuously revealed, they develop into lifelong learners eager to investigate the world around them and the spirit within.

What is Friends School of Charlotte?
Friends School of Charlotte (FSC) is a day school opening in South Charlotte in the fall of 2007, bringing over 300 years of excellence in Quaker education to the Charlotte area. FSC is committed to the principles of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and service. FSC provides academic excellence through small classrooms with high teacher to student ratios and enriching learning environments.
What is a “Friends school”? A “Friends school” is one that is grounded in the tenets of the Religious Society of Friends, or “Quakers.” Quakers have a long-standing tradition of excellence and equality in education. George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, established 2 schools in England in 1668 and 3 years later there were 15 boarding schools. The schools were noteworthy for educating both boys and girls and offering education in science-related topics. In this country the William Penn Charter School was established in 1689 and is still in existence today. CFS joins 81 other schools as a member in the Friends Council on Education, serving over 20,000 children across the United States.
Will non-Quakers be able to attend? Absolutely. In fact, we anticipate that most students and families will not have Quaker background and will instead be drawn to the Quaker model of education.
What makes Friends schools different from other schools? A Friends school is unique in that it often has a more comprehensive approach than either a public or traditional private school. Friends schools avoid the “teaching-to-the-test” approach that is common in many schools, at the same time maintaining high academic standards. This results in more creative classrooms, where teachers have the opportunity to implement a curriculum where students pursue their interests in-depth, work cooperatively and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Beyond excellence in academics, Friends schools focus on ”whole student” development, emphasizing active listening, non-violent conflict resolution, consensus-based decision-making through a culture in which students can develop the skills, values and confidence to support a lifetime of learning, leadership and service. The Quaker priorities of peace, equality, integrity, simplicity and continuing revelation permeate the educational experience.
Is FSC affiliated with other schools? No. Friends School of Charlotte is an independent school, governed by an independent board of trustees. Along with 81 other schools, including three in North Carolina, FSC is a member of the Friends Council on Education, serving over 20,000 children across the U.S.
What is the Friends Council on Education?
The Friends Council on Education promotes the theory and practice of Quaker education, supports Friends schools (pre-K through 12) in maintaining their values-based learning environments, and provides a professional development network for educational issues, philosophy and practice in Friends schools.
What grades does Friends School of Charlotte cover?
FSC firmly believes in the importance of the foundational years of early childhood education, and for its first year seeks a student body starting in grades K-3. Each year FSC will consider adding a new grade, ensuring that students will be able to continue their education in the Friends tradition of excellence.
What happens when my child finishes 3rd grade?
FSC plans to add grade levels, ensuring that students will be able to continue their education in the Friends tradition of excellence. Alternately, students will also be academically prepared to successfully transition to other schools.
Why mixed-age classrooms? Mixed-age classrooms resemble the natural family environment and are often less stressful than traditional classrooms. Children learn at their own pace and teachers can focus on each individual child according to his or her own strengths and needs. The mixed-age group fosters a sense of “family,” and facilitates social and leadership development in addition to intellectual growth.
How will FSC enable my child to grow as an individual? The combination of small class sizes and the focus on “whole student” development create a unique learning environment. This allows parents and teachers to both identify and develop students’ gifts, whether academic, social, artistic, etc.
Does FSC accept children with special educational needs?
We seek students who enjoy learning, who can work independently and in groups, and who can accept responsibility. We are also committed to nurturing a diverse community of learners and appreciate that students learn differently.
Individual admission and continuing enrollment decisions include consideration of the resources available to meet the needs of each child while maintaining the best atmosphere of learning for all our students. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis after discussion with parents and determination of the best interests for the individual child.
I have a non-traditional family. Will my family be welcome at FSC?
Absolutely. Friends School of Charlotte values and welcomes the diversity of ideas, religions, races, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities and economic backgrounds represented within our world community.
Will teachers at FSC be highly qualified? Yes! Friends schools attract highly qualified, experienced teachers who reflect Quaker values and recognize the benefits of a flexible teaching environment.
Where is the school?
The school will be located in South Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, easily accessible to many areas of the city and surrounding counties. Look for an announcement in September, 2006 regarding the selected location of the school.
What are the school hours?
School hours will be 8am – 2pm for kindergarten, 8am – 3pm for older students.
Will before- or after-care be provided at FSC?
Before and after school care will be offered from 7am – 6pm apart from classroom time.
Will a Friends School take support away from the public school system?
No. A Friends school will complement the range of educational options available in Charlotte. We believe that there is no “one-size-fits-all” school, and therefore both public schools and private schools, including Friends schools, should operate successfully in the same geographic region. Quaker schools incorporate a community service component that will provide additional opportunities to work in concert with the local community, including public schools.
Are there many Quakers (Friends) in Charlotte?
Yes. Charlotte Friends Meeting was officially established in 1960, and today has approximately 150 members and attenders who worship at the Meetinghouse in the University area.
Are there many Quaker children in Charlotte?
There are approximately 40 children who currently attend Charlotte Friends Meeting. There are other children with Quaker heritage who live in Charlotte, with parents who either grew up in the tradition or who have have attended Quaker schools.
Are Quakers like the Amish?
No – Quaker and Amish are very different. “Quaker” or “Friend” refers to something reflecting the perspective of the Religious Society of Friends.
As a parent, will I be expected to go to Quaker Meeting?
No. You and your family are certainly welcome to attend Charlotte Friends Meeting (see www.charlottefriendsmeeting.org for more information) but it is neither expected nor required for families of FSC.
How does FSC encourage parental involvement? FSC values parental involvement at many levels and creates many opportunities for collaboration within the school community, e.g. class involvement, parent-teacher conferences, and school community events.
My child finishes pre-school in spring of 2007. Is FSC a good option? Yes, for children ages 5 or older as of October 16, 2007. FSC kindergarten enables today’s preschoolers to continue learning in the long-standing traditions of progressive, developmental education.

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Friends School of Charlotte proudly introduces our founding Head of School, David Kern. David comes to us directly from Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, PA, where he was principal of the middle school. He held this position for thirteen years and was the founding principal of the middle school within this 162-year-old Friends School. David brings many gifts and skills to FSC including Friends School administration, leadership, program development, vision, enthusiasm, team-building, focus, and follow-through.

Prior to coming to GFS, David delivered a variety of youth and family services in Westchester County, New York. Those services included running youth programs in peer counseling, drug and alcohol prevention, as well as creating and operating a passage rite style wilderness canoe program in northern Ontario, Canada. He was also the Director of the Lower and Middle Schools of the Main Line Day School located outside Philadelphia. Main Line Day was a school for children with learning and emotional challenges.

David serves on the Board of Fair Hill Burial Ground, a Quaker burial ground in Philadelphia. He also serves on the Board of Summerbridge of Greater Philadelphia, a program that helps public middle school students gain access to more competitive high schools. In addition to involvement with these organizations, David has been involved as a volunteer for the past four years with the African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI). AGLI is a U.S.-based Quaker organization which partners with African Quakers to help provide peace and reconciliation services in East Africa. David, along with his wife Karen and son Derek, are helping to build a vocational school and help provide support for 200 youth in Bududa, Uganda.

David grew up in Bucks County, PA, where he attended Pennridge High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Psychology and a minor in History. He later attended Columbia University's Teachers College and is ABD toward an EdD in Counseling Psychology.

David is very excited and highly honored to help lead the growth and development of the Friends School of Charlotte.

Board of Trustees

Friends School of Charlotte currently has eleven active members of the Board of Trustees: Shari Blair, Tracey Cain, Beth Fischer, Bill Graves, Howard Hinshaw, Beth Hinshaw, Sandy Kohn, Jason Newsome, Jan Rieman, Norbert Sonner, and Lyn Sutterlin. Jan Rieman serves as Clerk of the Board of Trustees with Tracey Cain serving as Assistant Clerk. Nine of the eleven Board members reside in Charlotte. The Board includes experts in early childhood education, a Board member of an established Friends school, individuals with a long family history of Quaker practice, a philanthropic legal coordinator, a member of the Matthews Chamber of Commerce, a former Director of a NAEYC-accredited preschool, and parents of preschool and grade school-age children.

We are currently located at 7001 Wallace Road, Charlotte, NC, between Independence Boulevard and Monroe Road, adjacent to the Independence Public Library.

While FSC is an independent school with an independent Board of Trustees, it is affiliated with other Friends Schools through the Friends Council on Education.

For a list of other Friends schools in the United States, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_Schools. For a list of Friends schools in the United Kingdom, see www.quakerschools.co.uk and for a worldwide perspective visit www.friends.org.uk/quakers/qschools.htm.

Friends School of Charlotte is a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

7/19/2007: Quaker School Comes to Area

8/19/2007: First Quaker School Opening in Charlotte