Friends School of Minnesota

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]

Friends School of Minnesota
Friends School of Minnesota from the southeast
Address
1365 Englewood Avenue

Saint Paul
,
Minnesota
55104

United States
Coordinates44°57′52″N 93°9′30″W
Information
School typeIndependent School
DenominationQuaker
Established1988
Head of schoolRick Juliusson
Teaching staff12.4 (as of 2013-2014 )[1]
GradesKindergarten-Eighth Grade
Enrollment165 (as of 2013-2014)[1]
Student to teacher ratio1:13.3 (as of 2013-2014)[1]
Colour(s)Green and White
  
AthleticsVolleyball, Basketball, Soccer
MascotThe Falcon
AccreditationIndependent Schools Association of the Central States
Websitewww.fsmn.org

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

The school's enrollment is typically between 155 and 168 students from around the Twin Cities metropolitan area. About 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 families headed by LGBT parents,[10] and over a quarter of the students receive financial aid.[2]

References
  1. "School Detail for Friends School of Minnesota". National Center for Education Statistics.
  2. http://www.fsmn.org/about Friends School of Minnesota Website
  3. http://www.isacs.org/schools Archived 2014-07-15 at the Wayback Machine ISACS school search for accredited Quaker schools in Minnesota
  4. Letter of accreditation 2009 on file at ISACS
  5. https://www.fsmn.org/about/our-approach FSMN Educational Philosophy
  6. http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/beliefs.html Quaker Information Center: Quaker Beliefs
  7. http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/worship.html Quaker Information Center: Quaker Worship
  8. http://www.fsmn.org/about/our-approach/conflict-resolution Friends School conflict resolution program
  9. http://www.fsmn.org/school-committee About the FSM School Committee
  10. https://fsmn.org/sites/default/files/fsm-demographic-report-2011.pdf 2011 FSM demographic report
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