The benefits of a nursery-through-eighth-grade school
The magic of a nursery-through-eighth-grade school derives from the warmth and intimacy of a small school community combined with meaningful opportunities for students to become young adult leaders.
Research has shown that students meet with greater academic success in a nursery-8 school when compared to a traditional grades 6-8 middle school program.
Surrounded by peers and teachers who know them well, students participate with greater confidence and engage authentically in classroom learning. Outside of the classroom, the essential learning that happens through play does not come to an end for tweens and young teens; rather, it scaffolds young adolescents’ understanding of their own minds and bodies and provides essential fuel for long periods of academic study.
Younger elementary students look to their middleschool counterparts as role models on the playground as well as in the classroom, inspiring the oldest students to show up as their best selves.
Rather than getting lost in the crowd or navigating anxiety about high school, middle school students shine when they have genuine, everyday opportunities for leadership.
The nurserythrough-8th-grade experience creates a close-knit community of learners where students of all ages develop the confidence they need to learn, make mistakes, and discover more about themselves.
Students learn to find their voice, speak the truth and use it for God.
Embedded in the mission of our Quaker school is the belief that each child deserves to be seen, heard, and deeply known. From the youngest nursery school students to the graduating 8th-graders, we believe each and every child has their own, inimitable voice and that our job is to help them find that voice and speak their truth.
The nurturing environment and culture of kindness at Friends School Haverford creates a safe place for students to be accepted for who they are, make mistakes without judgment and develop self-confidence. This confidence allows them to speak up and advocate for themselves and others.
Our youngest students learn that their little voices can carry powerful messages about truth and fairness in their annual March for Peace in honor of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
First- and second-graders learn to approach writing as a search for words that are true and meaningful for them. Our middle school students learn to speak up for change and to take action as they lobby for criminal justice reform and teach younger classes about social justice topics such as the
Black Lives Matter movement, poverty and gender inequality.
By participating in these real-world experiences, our students come to understand that their voice can make a difference.
About us: Guided by Quaker principles since its founding in 1885, Friends School Haverford, 851 N. Buck Lane, provides an intellectually rich program to an intentionally diverse school family. We promote academic scholarship, creativity, respect, integrity and self-awareness with a commitment to creating a culture of stewardship and kindness. Friends School Haverford graduates are uniquely prepared to go forth with boldness of intellect and character. For more information call 610642-2334 or visit www. friendshaverford.org.