Friends School of Minnesota
| Friends School of Minnesota | |
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| File:Friends School of Minnesota.JPG
Friends School of Minnesota from the southeast
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| Address | |
| 1365 Englewood Avenue Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104 USA |
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Information | |
| School type | Independent School |
| Denomination | Quaker |
| Established | 1988 |
| Head of school | Elizabeth Herbert |
| Teaching staff | 12.6 (as of 2007-08)[1] |
| Grades | Kindergarten-Eighth Grade |
| Enrollment | 168 (as of January 2011)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 1:12 (as of 2007-08)[1] |
| School colour(s) | Green and White |
| Athletics | Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer |
| Mascot | The Falcon |
| Accreditation | Independent Schools Association of the Central States |
| Website | www.fsmn.org |
The Friends School of Minnesota (FSMN) is a Kindergarten through Eighth Grade (K-8) independent school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1988 by area Quakers and peace activists, the goal of the school is to meet "children’s intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs in an environment that nurtures their social consciousness."[2] FSMN is fully accredited through the Independent Schools Association of the Central States[3][4]
Philosophy
Like the many other Quaker schools in the United States, FSMN is "grounded in the practices and values of the Religious Society of Friends" (Quakers). Among these values are "simplicity, equality, non-violence, justice, and silent reflection.".[5] To cultivate these values and to promote and encourage the spiritual, social, emotional, and physical development of the children, the school employs many of the tenets of progressive education—recognizing the need for children to play a part in their own education. This approach also fits with the Quaker belief that each person is granted a measure of "divine light" or wisdom, a center from which we are able to grow into our fullest potential.[5][6]
Quaker Tradition
In addition to the Quaker underpinning of the school's educational philosophy, FSMN also practices the Quaker method of holding a traditional meeting for worship, which is a 30 minute silent meeting once a week.[7] All committee, staff and faculty meetings also start and end with silent contemplation. Decisions are made by consensus "in the manner of Friends". Additionally, FSMN has developed a conflict resolution program to help children work through their conflicts with each other in a non-violent constructive manner.[8]
Demographics
As of January 2011, the school has 168 students from around the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Only 10 percent of the children at the school and less than 5 percent of the faculty and staff are Quakers or come from Quaker families. The school bylaws do, however, require that a majority of board members be practicing Quakers.[9] Approximately one third of the students are non-caucasian, many students come from non-traditional families, and over a quarter of the students receive financial aid.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.fsmn.org/about Friends School of Minnesota Website
- ↑ http://www.isacs.org/schools ISACS school search for accredited Quaker schools in Minnesota
- ↑ Letter of accreditation 2009 on file at ISACS
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://www.fsmn.org/about/our-approach FSMN Educational Philosophy
- ↑ http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/beliefs.html Quaker Information Center: Quaker Beliefs
- ↑ http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/worship.html Quaker Information Center: Quaker Worship
- ↑ http://www.fsmn.org/about/our-approach/conflict-resolution Friends School conflict resolution program
- ↑ http://www.fsmn.org/school-committee About the FSM School Committee
