Virginia Beach Friends School

My children have attended for several years and I am very pleased with the individual attention and the quality of the faculty. The lower and middle school programs are strong and the middle school curriculum is presented in a way that is perfect for my son. I m not sure if I ll keep my kids there through high school because they might want a bigger school, but I like the increased academic rigor and discipline standards the Headmaster has put in place in the high school. I can t speak for other parents, but I think the Headmaster is very open to parent concerns. I ve attended a few of his monthly coffee with parents and find him open and easy to talk to. Maybe he had a bad August 2006? All in all, I think it s a great little school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a fresh breath in the learning world. The teachers are wonderful and caring. The kids love the school and their teachers. Kids are treated with kindness and respect .Te school give a very safe space for kids to grow into successful adults. Friends School is all about the children. Liz Hobbs
—Submitted by a parent

The Pre-School Cottage Program is EXCEPTIONAL. Developmentally appropriate activities, well experienced staff that implement Quaker ideals. Lower school experience was adequate. Quaker ideals still in place. The school seems to be trying to find a new indentity and the new path does not see based on Quaker ideals. Many lower school teachers there are quality teachers and are about kids. The school needs and expects a great deal parent support and money beyond tuition for daily activities. Parents often drive for field trips and appropriate car safety is not practiced.Teacher pay is poor. Many children in classes have learning and behavior problems and teacher to student ratio is not really as low as they claim. Can go as high as 18-1 in lower school. Good music program.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic school experience so far (Early, Lower and Middle Schools). Friends fosters a warm, caring community that respects each individual. There is great mutual respect b/w teachers and students, and respect for all peoples and cultures is emphasized. Your child can soar and not be stuck in a grade-level curriculum. The administration has been very accommodating--my son in Middle School went ahead in math and languages with great results. Middle School curriculum is thematically-based and is just awesome--my son didn't want the year to end last year! Yes, it's a small school so extracurriculars are obviously limited and the physical plant isn't what you'd have at the Megabucks private schools in the area, but my kids and I love it. We're looking forward to the HS experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Lower/school is worth the $$$$. Middle/Upper consider area/public schools. School is about needing $$$$$ & census. New building went to administration/Library instead of brokentrailer Middle School uses. Principal delagates instead of addressing serious issues/spending. Parents shuttle fieldtrips&sports. No lunch facilities, brownbag/huge teacherslounge should be newclassroom instead of studentrailor. Costly to attend/compared to other private schools. School has broken down bus, demand parent transport. Need diversity, so paying parents support diversity unfair to full tuition parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Friends is a good lower school, however the upper is lacking direction. The school does not offer a lot of outside activities, the sports have a lot to be desired with poor direction. The Principle lack leader ship- pass the buck. The lower school is a real value. Close attention to development and well run. The middle school has teachers that are very closed minded. The school does have a family atmosphere, but the parent involvement is low.
—Submitted by a parent