Virginia Beach Friends School

Virginia Beach Friends School is a wonderful school. The teachers are dedicated and passionate about education and the success of each child. Staff identifies with the children (their personalities and needs) and parents. The faculty and staff truly teach and develop the 'whole child', grounding the students in ethics, self confidence, care for others, and decision making, as well as the common academic pursuits.I highly recommend this beautiful school.
—Submitted by a parent

EXTREMLEY unorganized ........ Nothing seems to be organized like other schools... Upper school and pe are the most unorganized ..
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter transferred to Friends after a negative experience in public school in 6th grade. She transferred mid-year and was immediately welcomed by both faculty and classmates. Her teachers have been engaging and interested in helping her succeed, which she has done! I would whole-heartedly recommend this very special school!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to Va Beach Friends School since 2nd grade. She is now a 6th grader. As a middle schooler, she is now eligible to join the Athletic program and is enjoying playing Volley Ball and Basketball. She is learning the concept of team work and time management skills in getting her homework done around practices and games. The school offers a very nuturing environment for all students and I am happy to say there is no bullying there.
—Submitted by a parent

My son graduated from Virginia Beach Friends School and is successfully completing college in four years. He was offered many opportunities to demonstrate leadership and strengthen his skills, which helped him considerably in college but also in life. He continues to do volunteer work and has two part time jobs. I appreciate the academics they offered as well as the values they instilled.
—Submitted by a parent

I go to Virginia Beach Friends School now and I love it a lot! Its easy-going style, work method, and campus all make it feel like a camp where you learn stuff. The teachers don t talk down to us or make us learn their set-in-concrete-way; each of us are taught as individuals, so we all understand what s going on. It may be small, but that makes it easier to make friends and join in class discussions. We can accept our differences, and there s no bullying. I like being able to express my creativeness through the artistic classes they have here like Film Appreciation, Movie Making, Open Mike and Improv, Percussion, and an all new class called On the Air. We are the first class to produce a student-run internet radio station, which I got to be a host on and design the logo for. This awesome school may not have a cafeteria, but who cares? Why does it matter? Tables in cafeterias only seem to exclude other people and say who has to sit with who. We have microwaves! And Pizza Fridays, too! Besides, how many 14-year-old kids do you know that actually look forward to going to school?

I'm suspicious about the intent behind the few negative comments and I welcome dialogue with their sources. Virginia Beach Friends School provides a professional, yet nurturing educational environment and sets the standard for a natural command of mutual respect which is uncommon not only among students within schools but also among adult co-workers. The building is as clean and well-maintained as any good local school its age, but it's people comprise the heart and soul that make it shine. The academic, art and technology programs are outstanding and the students take an active and accountable role in their education while benefitting from the small class sizes and one-on-one instruction that enable them to spend more time on their weaknesses, excel at their strengths and explore such unique endeavors as talk radio show and video production. Many well-educated and well-respected community members send their children to VBFS because they (we) understand the importance of students being "safe, valued, inspired and engaged." Our children know they have an important place in the world, beginning with their corner of it at Friends. I back my statement with tuition dollars.
—Submitted by a parent

VBFS provides an incredible education for my child! -strong academics, a peaceful environment, happy teachers- schools like this are hard to come by these days I would encourage any parent who is out there "school shopping" right now to go take a look at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am appalled and saddened to read some of the reviews written about this perfectly wonderful school during the last month of December. My child has been a student here for many years and I am quite pleased with the challenging academic curriculum and excellent, dedicated teaching staff. I am also pleased with the school's new "Head of School". (By the way I think that if someone had truely taught here they would know that their employer's title was "Head of School", rather than principal.) Please check this school out for yourselves. You may fall in love with it.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a student at Virginia Beach Friends School for seven years now, and I believe that their way of providing education is extraordinary. It has a great social environment, so I have no fear of being bullied or teased. The school's style of teaching is creative, interesting, and explorative. I enjoy all of my classes and teachers without a doubt. We are allowed to have our own opinions and questions about subjects. This makes me want to learn and explore more. As a class, we are like a family. We look out for and support each other. When the teachers allow us to work in groups, we get to share knowledge and ideas with one another. The honors council, made up of students and teachers, help create compromises to solve problems in a Quakerly fashion. Over all, Friends School has been a fantastic experience for me.

Virginia Beach Friends School is a fine school with an excellent administration and hard-working, talented teachers.

I am quite sorry to see the most recent remarks in reference to this school and am pretty puzzled by them. My student attends this school and it is hard for me to believe we re speaking of the same campus. It looks neat and is regularly maintained; the buildings may be old but they are clean. The teachers are wonderful and degreed, many at the Master s level. As a matter of fact, I m not aware of any teachers that have recently resigned so am doubly confused by the comments. I m very pleased with the school and my child has been very happy here.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been a great school for my son. He did very well in public school but when he approached Middle School I was afraid with so many students he would be able to skate and not really apply himself. He has been successful at this school - teachers care, classes are small and he is encouraged to be responsible for himself. We are very pleased with the decision we made. We are encouraged by the upgrades in technology and the total school environment. This was definitely the school for our son
—Submitted by a parent

Our child has attended this school for the past three years. He will not be returning for a fourth. Friends is an unorganized, highly overated commune. They have no expectations for their students...poor achievement is ok, in fact celebrated as a welcome difference. The tuition is extremely high and there is no lunch room.... So they offer steel drums and square dancing, thanks but that's not going to get my kid into college. Neither is being able to stand in a circle, hold hands and sing kumbyya.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow, Everyday Math was used with mine here. Hmm. Again, things are not always as they appear. This school appears to care about uniqueness. In fact, they had no idea what to do to help my children out. Mine have fared much better at a highly rated public school, where they had the resources to work with their giftedness.
—Submitted by a parent

As you can see by the extreme differences in the other reviews (either one star or five stars) this school is not for everyone. It is, absolutely, the school for my son and our family. If you prefer a sterile, grade-separated, overly structured environment where teachers are forced to use a mediocre, mass-produced curriculum, then DON'T send your child to Friends. If, however, you want your unique child to be treated as an individual where his/her talents are encouraged to flourish, then Friends is for you! The best language arts (William & Mary gifted) curriculum, the best math (Singapore Math) curriculum, the most amazing science program and beyond the best by far music/arts/drama program for elementary school children ANYWHERE. I've done the research and also experienced what the other schools in Virginia Beach offer. Friends is also a great/logical step for parents who have home-schooled their children in the past. My son is thriving at Friends.
—Submitted by a parent

We came from one of the most well-known school districts in the country. Friends School has excelled well beyond where we came from, in every aspects of my daughter's educational experiences. Watching her be challenged, and excelling academically; how the sports program is different through the kids working together as a team first, with respect and great sportsmanship; where all children and families' backgrounds are honored through the acceptance of all faiths, not just Quaker; and through the honor and respect that's evident on campus in every person, including teachers, staff and children. I couldn't give a bigger recommendation for this school and its values -- and couldn't put a price on my daughter's smile and sense of self and confidence at the end of every school day.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was treated as an individual and excelled in her studies under the guidance and direction of outstanding teachers. She received a 4 year merit scholarship to one college and several generous financial packages from other colleges also based on merit.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Virginia Beach Friends School because the atmosphere is a loving and caring one. The children bring their lunches and eat with teachers under some wonderful trees. It is a homey atmosphere and creates an environment where children are free to express and encouraged to express their thoughts and opinions. Parents are involved and love the school also.

Friends School is a small, nurturing environment where students feel they are a member of a family. Children and parents both benefit from experiences within the wonderful school community, learning more than what is taught in the classroom.
—Submitted by a parent