The William Penn Charter School was founded in Philadelphia in 1689 by William Penn. It is the oldest Quaker school in the world and the fifth oldest school of any kind in America. The school is still in operation today.
Penn set up his school to provide an education based on Quaker values. That legacy of basing the education on Friends’ values continues today in all Quaker schools.
Friends Academy in New York highlights these traits of Quaker education on their website:
“Students at Quaker schools explore curiosities, share ideas, and build upon their peers’ ideas.
Through thoughtful reflection, inquiry and a mutual respect for others’ views and experiences students gain a deeper understanding of each other and the course material.
“The curriculum at Quaker schools is largely inquiry-based.
Students are encouraged to wonder, investigate, ask questions, work collaboratively and seek out new ideas.
“Quaker schools help students connect the dots between what they learn and why it matters.
When students walk out the school doors each day, real-world learning helps them solve real-world problems and become an asset to their community as they move through each stage of life.
“Diversity in education is crucial to a Quaker school experience.
Students at Quaker schools are exposed to different ideas and ways of thinking, while also building respect for other people’s voices and opinions.”
In Georgia, the Friends School of Atlanta carries on those traditions of Quaker education.
FSA has been operating for 34 years. Located in Decatur, it was founded in 1991 by members of the Atlanta Friends Meeting. Currently it has 135 students in classes ranging from Pre K through the 8th grade.
The FSA website says:
“The school manifests Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship. Quaker values, based on the worth of each person, are reaffirmed in the school by listening and negotiating in the spirit of unity.
“As students incorporate the value of human respect into their lives, we believe they will take their wisdom and turn it toward social issues that extend beyond the immediate community to the world at large.”
Currently in the U.S. there are 76 Quaker schools in 21 states with approximately 20,000 students and 5,000 teachers.
Peachtree Friends Meeting 