A Closer Look (2014 2015 Course Catalog) by Friends' Central School

A CLOSER LOOK 2014 – 2015 WE BELIEVE IN KINDNESS, TEACH COMPASSION, ENCOURAGE GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT, AND DEMAND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

F R I E N D S’ C E N T R A L S C H O O L

PHILOS OPH Y | COU R S E OF FE RINGS | LIFE AT F RIE N DS ’ C E N TR A L | IN FOR M ATION FOR PA R E N T S

THE FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Kenneth B. Dunn

Merlin Muhrer

Karen Horikawa ’72, Vice-Clerk

Jonathan A. Fiebach ’82

James D. Murdock ’73

Christine Gaspar ’70

Craig B. Owens

VISION

Susan J. Holt

Ann V. Satterthwaite

To awaken courage and intellect – and peacefully transform the world.

Kent Julye

Joanna Haab Schoff ’51 (Trustee Emerita)

PHILOSOPHY

Melissa Anderson

1 FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL

Peter Arfaa (Trustee Emeritus)

2 AT THE HEART OF

Barbara Cohen (Trustee Emerita)

MISSION, VISION, AND PHILOSOPHY

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL

4 LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

8 MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

13 UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

19 LIFE AT FRIENDS’

Fariha I. Khan Kristin Kimmell

Carolyn Cohen

Matthew S. Levitties ’85

Elizabeth J. Cohen ’83

Hillard Madway (Trustee Emeritus)

Philip E. Scott ’73 Joy Takahashi

CALENDAR 2014–2015 Tuesday, September 2

Orientation Day

Wednesday, September 3

First Day of School

Friday, October 10

Conference Day, No Classes

Monday, October 13

Columbus Day, No Classes

Wednesday, November 26– Friday, November 28

Thanksgiving Break

CENTRAL SCHOOL

22 TUITION AND

FINANCIAL AID

24 ADMISSION

MISSION

Robert Gassel ’69, Clerk

Saturday, December 20– Sunday, January 4

Faculty Professional Development Day No Classes Winter Break (classes resume on Monday, January 5)

Monday, January 19

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No Classes

Friday, February 13

Faculty Professional Development Day No Classes

Monday, February 16

Presidents’ Day, No Classes

Friday, March 20– Monday, March 30

Spring Break (classes resume on Tuesday, March 31)

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day, No Classes

Wednesday, June 10

Last Day of School

Saturday, June 13

Commencement

Monday, December 1

We cultivate the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical promise of our students.

Since its establishment in 1845 by the Religious Society of Friends, Friends’ Central School, a coeducational college preparatory day school for Preschool through Grade 12, has been guided by Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, and equality. Underlying all facets of School life is the belief that “there is that of God in everyone.” Meeting for Worship is central, providing time for connections among members of the community and between individuals and their spiritual sources. Peaceful resolution of conflicts, seeking truth, and collaborative process are key aspects of a Friends’ Central education. Friends’ Central offers rigorous and varied educational experiences in academics, the arts, and athletics, helping our students realize their potentials and achieve on the highest levels possible. We encourage trial and error, critical thinking and questioning, and intellectual courage in all areas of our curriculum. We strive to balance competence in using sophisticated technology with the richness of a humanistic education. Students’ individual interests are encouraged and supported while essential skills are carefully honed. We intentionally seek a wide spectrum of diversity in our School community. We respect unreservedly that diversity and strive to enhance and support it. Diversity influences how we teach, learn, and communicate. It enriches the community and furthers understanding that each human life is intrinsically valuable and interrelated, one with another. We realize that our students have instant access to world events, and we help them generate a social conscience in their actions within the community as well as in the wider world. We want them to develop compassion for fellow human beings across national boundaries and to value the environment. Accordingly, there are many opportunities for service, where experiential learning provides us with the awareness that we, to whom much has been given, can make a difference both locally and globally. We believe that a friendly, nurturing, and kind school environment fosters true scholarship and helps students develop strong ethical values. In a wellordered community, adults model behavior for students and encourage inner discipline. In such an environment, it is our strong belief that students will grow into contributing, optimistic members of society who will have a positive impact on human life.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

FOUR CENTRAL IDEAS AT THE HEART OF

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL GUIDED BY QUAKER VALUES

INSPIRING TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Our Quaker commitment to truth seeking and belief in the idea of continuing

Now considered groundbreaking concepts, collaboration, creativity, curiosity,

revelation drive an intense commitment to an education that is intellectual,

critical thinking, adaptability, and a strong work ethic are qualities that are

thoughtful, and diverse. This includes our dedication to building a globally

closely linked to Quaker ideals and practice and as such have been an integral

engaged community of students and faculty from different racial, religious,

part of Friends’ Central’s curriculum and community since our founding

ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and a pedagogy that is grounded in

in 1845.

reflection, integrity, and a willingness to accept responsibility. Meeting for

From Nursery to Grade 12, our curriculum requires students to amass

Worship and community service are at the very center of teaching these

knowledge and skills as individuals as they learn and collaborate in teams.

core values.

With creativity fueling their progress, our students learn to adapt to new

Our guiding testimonies, Peace, Simplicity, Integrity, Equality, Community,

situations and ideas and to work hard to achieve their goals. Throughout their

and Stewardship, enable Friends’ Central to produce stellar students who

transformation from playful, eager children to skilled, self-possessed, socially

realize their own intellectual, spiritual and ethical promise in an environment

conscious teenagers they remain intellectually curious, independent, and

free from the competition that can drain the joy from learning.

engaged thinkers.

In an outcomes-driven society, our students are known for their extraordinary academic talent and achievement. They are also valued for their kindness, independent thinking, cooperation, and generosity of spirit.

Friends’ Central students gain both the academic skills and the personal qualities they will draw upon to succeed in a rapidly changing, global world.

HONORING THE INDIVIDUAL

EDUCATING FOR EXCELLENCE

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that each individual is valued

Challenging, intellectual and engaging, Friends’ Central’s curriculum builds

and that each voice is important.

foundational skills within an education that is innovative, thoughtful, and

It is our purpose to inspire our students to express themselves, to discover

dynamic. At every level our students are encouraged to ask questions and to

their passions, and to follow their dreams. Our students thrive because we

seek answers that push beyond their impressive accumulation of facts. Never

approach every child as an individual and encourage their social and emo-

satisfied by “what”, our students are always asking “why” “how” and, perhaps

tional development as well as academic growth. With a confidence that grows

most importantly, “why not”?

out of a community built on respect and individual value, our students find

Our faculty sets increasingly high standards as they support each student’s

the courage to express their convictions and the empathy to listen respectfully

efforts to meet them. From Nursery through Grade 12, our students are

to divergent viewpoints.

active learners, encouraged to approach new ideas with an open mind and

From classrooms and board rooms to communities and courtrooms, our

unreserved respect for one another — awakening and affirming independent

students begin peacefully changing the world at Friends’ Central and con-

and courageous thought.

tinue changing it throughout their lives.

Friends’ Central students distinguish themselves while at FCS, in college where they are known for their exceptional preparation, and in the world where their contributions are extraordinary.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS LOWER

SCHOOL

NURSERY SCHOOL

Two full-time, highly qualified teachers guide our youngest students through their first steps in the Friends’ Central School community. Their world is their classroom, yet all around them circles the fascinating life of the Lower School. Three-year-olds play on their own playground, yet also take “fieldtrips” to explore the woods, ponds, and playgrounds of our 18-acre campus. In the classroom they investigate their world through play, while learning thematically with an integrated approach to language arts, math, and social studies. Their experience is further enriched by visits to the Lower School art, music, science, and Spanish classrooms as well as regular visits to the gym and Lower School library.

PRE-K THROUGH 5TH GRADE

Friends’ Central’s Lower School is a place where joy-filled learning is embedded in play, exploration and discovery. Whether at a desk, in the garden, art studio, or playground, learning is engaging as “skills and drills” take their place alongside critical questioning – why?, how?, what if?, teamwork, and collaboration. The experience is as academically challenging and exciting as it is supportive and structured. An emphasis on the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and service underlies every aspect of our Lower School, including academics. These values guide children and adults to treat one another with respect and appreciation, creating a safe and trusting atmosphere that inspires the very best in children. Our broad and varied curriculum offers opportunities for each child to explore, discover new interests, and shine. Classes are small and instruction is individualized, allowing students to progress at their own rates, with many students excelling far beyond their grade levels. Friends’ Central students develop the confidence to speak up, and the skills to articulate their thoughts insightfully and effectively. Our Lower School teaches and uses decision-making and problem-solving processes that help students throughout their lives. They learn to be good problem solvers — both academically and interpersonally. Through a careful balance of expectations and freedom, students are held accountable for their words and actions and learn to develop internal judgment and control. Individual social development and awareness of others are nurtured in tandem with academic benchmarks.

CURRICULUM LANGUAGE ARTS Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are the essential tools of language, both for communicating and for understanding. Our Lower School teaches, explores and practices these language arts skills every day, with children building increasingly strong foundations to support their work in every area of 4

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

the curriculum. Lower School programs and projects rely on the language arts necessary to build lively classroom discussions, with every child engaged and confident in expressing ideas and opinions. Reading and writing instruction is progressive and individualized, ensuring that every child will be challenged and

inspired. The Lower School faculty uses a variety of techniques to teach reading, including whole language, phonics, sight, and kinesthetic approaches. With the youngest students, the language arts program focuses on listening and speaking. Teachers guide students in expressing their ideas, needs, feelings, knowledge; and they support them in

using language effectively to solve problems through conversation and narratives that accompany works of art or imaginative play. In addition to their regular classroom work, all students in Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 participate in lessons led by one of several reading specialists. This auxiliary reading program enhances the development of early reading skills, helps to identify students who may require reading support, and provides challenges for early readers. For most children, writing acquisition progresses in the following manner: In nursery students begin figuring out the sounds they hear in words and learning the letters that make those sounds. In pre-kindergarten teachers work one-toone with students to put those phonetic spellings down on paper in sentences that express their ideas, and by kindergarten, students add simple sight word vocabularies to their phonetic skills and begin to write full sentences independently. In the early grades, use of phonetic — “inventive” — spelling encourages the flow of ideas without fear of making mistakes. This is critical as students find and grow their voice. As reading and writing skills develop, other aspects are added — formal spelling programs, writing mechanics, writing in different genres, from different perspectives and for different audiences, and formal essays with introductions and conclusions. Poetry, creative, and expository writing are emphasized as students progress through the grades.

MATHEMATICS A sequential mathematics program emphasizing problem-solving and conceptual understanding gives our Lower School students an applicationsoriented approach that builds an understanding of the many ways math connects to their daily lives. Students develop basic computation skills and

learn to gather, organize, and interpret data. In the early grades, use of manipulatives nurtures development of number sense. This ensures a thorough understanding of basic concepts before students move to pictorial and then to symbolic and abstract levels. Working in small groups, students expand and enrich their experiences through math games and cooperative math activities. Cooperative problem-solving is a thread that runs throughout the curriculum and encourages students to combine essential math facts with diverse and creative approaches to solve mathematical problems. Teachers encourage students to question math terms and figure out why numbers and concepts work as they do. Problem-solving ability is stressed as students learn to break down math problems and identify what questions a problem is asking. Number sense continually develops. As the youngest work to understand the magnitude and relationships of quantity — what each number means by itself and in relation to others — older students develop the ability to use numbers fluidly, flexibly, and fluently in adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying, first in simple operations and later in multi-step problems. While each grade has benchmarks for math achievement, teachers in all grades differentiate math instruction for students who are ready for more challenging work. Our learning specialists also provide enrichment and support as needed. Auxiliary support to strengthen math skills is also available as needed.

SOCIAL STUDIES Our Lower School is strongly committed to thematic education, a holistic approach that unifies diverse subject matter around a central social studiesbased theme and creates a depth of

interest and understanding often missing in other approaches. Learning that is integrated across different disciplines helps students develop deeper comprehension and broader perspectives on facts and concepts. This integration of disciplines illuminates relationships and ways in which disparate aspects of the world are connected — the past and present, geography and culture, the arts, literature, and history. All areas of learning and the stories of all people are connected by common threads. A new Lower School fall theme is chosen each year and followed by grade-level themes in the spring semester. The topics selected encourage students to recognize and appreciate the racial, religious, and ethnic diversity of the world in a multicultural approach to education.

SCIENCE Lower School students are natural scientists, full of questions, ready for challenges, and eager to experiment, make things, and find ways to figure out answers. All grades, nursery through 5, have one or two weekly classes in the science lab, a space that entices students young and old with its equipment — all manner of building materials, microscopes, measuring devices, and other tools — and collections of fossils, rocks, minerals, shells, and other objects of natural history. Using a hands-on, experiential approach, students cover a variety of disciplines including biology, botany, and the basic principles of chemistry and physics. Children are encouraged to use their acquired knowledge to solve real-life problems in a curriculum that teaches scientific techniques and stresses an appreciation for conservation and ecology. Almost as much class time is spent outdoors as indoors. The science curriculum uses the 18-acre campus with its woods, fields, pond, bird-blind, access to a

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM, continued nearby creek, and gardens, including the new garden created in 2014 in a central location adjacent to the lower playground.

TECHNOLOGY Use of technology is integrated into all classrooms with one-to-one iPads available for all students in Grades K-5. Nursery and pre-k students work with technology teachers, along with their classroom teachers, in small groups using iPads for pre-reading and math enrichment activities. In Grades K-5, technology instruction supplements and expands classroom learning through mastery of applications across subject areas. Students use iPads to research, calculate, draw, read and write stories and to reinforce math skills. The availability of iPads give children access to creative projects, such as making movies and other multi-media presentations, which allows students a wider choice in responding to what they are learning and provides a potentially much wider audience for their work.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Lower School students participate in an active physical education program that stresses mastery of a sequence of developmentally appropriate skills and emphasizes teamwork. Younger students play cooperative games and work to develop fundamental movement skills, balance, and eye-hand coordination. Older students develop skills in specific sports such as soccer, field hockey, and basketball that prepare them for participation in the Middle School sports programs. Wellness is specifically taught in 5th grade health, but it is also discussed, taught and lived throughout the year in the entire Lower School physical education program.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

SPANISH Our Lower School Spanish program teaches the children through many approaches, including games, puppets, props, dialogues, storybooks, and music. Instruction is conducted in Spanish and integrated with the overall classroom curriculum. Lessons are designed and coordinated with the children’s grade level, thematic focus, and developmental progress in mind. Listening, oral comprehension, and speaking skills are emphasized. Students in Grades 3 and 4 begin to write in Spanish. Each year the curriculum for all grades includes study of the geography and culture of two Spanish-speaking countries, with one choice linked to the fall project theme. For example, Spain and Don Quixote linked Spanish class with the fall 2014 theme, Literary Adventures, while Venezuela and the Oronoco River were studied during fall 2013’s Rivers theme. Fifth Grade language instruction is taught through Prima Lingua — a foundation course which prepares students for in-depth study of a foreign language in Middle School.

THE ARTS Lower School is rich in artistic excitement and expression. Students present plays, produce videos, make beautiful music, and fill the school with the visual arts. The dynamic art and music programs turn hallways into inspiring galleries that reflect the children’s joyful creative spirits and often lead to spontaneous bursts of song from groups of students reprising favorite pieces learned in music class. Children love to come to art class with its wealth of materials and the time and opportunity to explore them. Lower School captures the natural and abundant creativity in every child, encouraging the development of visual literacy

and awareness and helping students to understand and interpret the world around them. Self-confidence is built through successful self-expression. The program uses both traditional media – different kinds of paints, natural and synthetic clays, drawing materials that include pencils, pastels, markers, fabric crayons, india ink, and charcoals – and nontraditional media such as sunprint kits, duct and colored tapes, found objects, metal foils, yarn, fabric, and objects from nature. They also work on potters’ wheels and iPads and use a variety of printmaking materials and techniques. The works of historical and contemporary artists are studied. Children respond to music innately. Our Lower School music curriculum is based on the belief that music is for all people and designed to nurture musical creativity in each child. in class students actively engage in music making through singing and playing a variety of classroom instruments. The Lower School music curriculum is based on the Orff and Kodály approaches to music education as well as the music learning theory of Edwin Gordon. All of the work and play done in class is part of a carefully sequenced program that develops musical independence and music literacy and includes opportunities for individual and ensemble improvisation. Starting in Grade 2, the Lower School also offers an extra curricular instrumental program including a string ensemble and private lessons on piano, violin, and cello.

acquire the thinking skills needed to become independent learners. Children are taught digital citizenship and ethical behavior in the use of information and technology. To accomplish this, the Lower School library uses a wide array of materials reflective of diverse perspectives in print and non-print formats: books, e-books, videos, print, and online reference sources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps, atlases, and almanacs), websites, blogs, and search engine. In each subsequent year, the use of reference sources and understanding of the library’s organization and systems are expanded as student assignments for research and writing become more complex and students become more independent library users. Issues of copyright, plagiarism, crediting sources,

and bibliographies are introduced in Grade 3 and studied more deeply in Grades 4 and 5 when there is also a more in-depth focus on use of print and online resources for research, search techniques, evaluating sources, and note taking.

ACADEMIC EVALUATION Parent/teacher conferences are held in the fall and spring of each year, and written evaluations are sent home in December and in June. Written reports include a narrative overview of the student’s progress and a checklist that provides information about specific skills in each academic discipline. In addition to the specified conferences, parents and teachers communicate as the need arises.

LOWER SCHOOL SPECIALS (NUMBER OF CLASSES PER WEEK) ART

LIBRARY

MUSIC

P.E.

SCIENCE

SPANISH

Nursery

Pre-k

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

LIBRARY

Grade 4

In collaboration with classroom courses of study, the Lower School library curriculum is designed to inspire and foster a lifelong love of reading, viewing, listening, and learning. The program also promotes information literacy, including visual, textual, digital and technological literacy to help children

Grade 5

* Computer instruction provided by regular classroom teachers with the support of two technology specialists. Nursery and pre-kindergarten students work in small groups using iPads. All students in K-5 have school-issued 1:1 iPads. ** Grade 5 students receive special instruction in Prima Lingua and health.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS MIDDLE

6TH THROUGH 8TH GRADE

SCHOOL Friends’ Central’s Middle School plays a critical role in transforming eager, enthusiastic and motivated elementary school students into self-aware, critical thinking, and empathetic eighth graders. Students in grades 6-8 are at a unique point in their cognitive, social and emotional development. They possess the foundational skills of reading, writing and math and they are ready to to apply these skills in new ways, both individually and collaboratively. They are ready to think more abstractly, question more critically, and to problemsolve more creatively. They are increasingly ready to look outside themselves and our community to consider a more global context. Our Middle School program and curriculum are designed to target and capitalize on this unique moment in our students’ lives. The time and attention our Middle School teachers devote to encouraging, challenging and supporting our students as individuals and members of the larger community sets our Middle School apart. Our teachers understand and delight in the opportunities and challenges that come with shepherding children into adolescence. It is because of the individual attention our teachers pay to our students’ intellectual, spiritual and ethical selves that they thrive. Our program includes a curriculum rich with academic, artistic and athletic opportunities as well as clubs, weekly community service and Meeting for Worship. We provide students with an abundance of hands-on learning experiences in and out of the classroom. A strong emphasis on study skills and personal responsibility are catalysts for success in Upper School. The adoption of 1:1 technology in the fall of 2014 combines our long history of academic excellence together with our commitment to innovation and preparation for a rapidly changing world.

CURRICULUM LANGUAGE ARTS The Middle School Language Arts curriculum is designed to help students increase their awareness of language as a communication tool. As students explore literature, they learn to appreciate effective writing, read for comprehension of plot, themes and symbols, and increase their own analytical

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

writing skills. Grammar and vocabulary development are emphasized through written assignments. Students are working towards an understanding of the impact of reading and interpreting fiction on interpersonal skills and empathy. Literary selections such as George Orwell’s Animal Farm, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Lois

Lowry’s The Giver, Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird drive the minds of students to confront moral, political, and ethical issues as they develop a deep appreciation for the pleasures of reading.

MATHEMATICS

SCIENCE

Students in the Middle School continue to cultivate the basics of mathematical thinking that began in Lower School. While they work on fundamental operations in regard to whole numbers, Middle School students also learn to apply those processes to fractions, decimals, percents, and integers. The foundations of algebra are explored and students learn to make connections between algebra and geometry, between words and mathematical notation, and between theoretical and actual data. Real-life problem solving experiences help students gain confidence in their ability to predict what might be a reasonable answer. By the end of Middle School, all students will have completed Algebra I. For those students whose abilities require a faster-paced program, there is the opportunity for an accelerated curriculum.

In Middle School, students hone their observation, prediction, and interpretational skills as they proceed through their survey studies of life, physical, and earth sciences. The program cultivates our students’ curiosity about the world around them with a “hands-on” approach to science – from doing experiments using our campus and nearby park as an outdoor lab. Through readings, demonstrations, field study, laboratory experiments, and reflective and analytical writing, students gain scientific knowledge and begin to understand relationships among disciplines. From astronomy to zoology, students become better able to make connections regarding human needs, actions, and environmental systems.

SOCIAL STUDIES In Grade 6, the Middle School social studies curriculum begins with an exploration of the Middle Ages examining the time period in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. As the students move to the European Age of Exploration and Discovery, they have a chance to discover and explore the many factors that contribute to cultural differences. Through their readings, discussions and activities, students gain an appreciation for the richness of these cultures and an understanding of how these groups have influenced the growth of our own culture. American history, from the beginning of European colonization to the present, is explored in Grades 7 and 8. Through writing, reflecting, and role play, students are able to connect historical events to issues of racism and social justice. Attention is given to a comprehensive look at current events in an effort to better understand events in history.

TECHNOLOGY Friends’ Central is a 1:1 iPad school. Each day all Middle School students are expected to bring their own iPads to school. This allows all of our students to have a powerful tool at their fingertips. Middle School students are encouraged to see the computer as a tool for problem solving both individually and through collaboration, a device that allows for better access, sharing and presentation of information. There is an emphasis on meeting the challenge of responsible use and what it means to be a good digital citizen. Our goal for the 1:1 program can be divided into broad categories: enhancing the curriculum, supporting student learning, preparing students with essential skills, and cultivating curious and caring citizens.

Grades 7 and 8, Middle School course offerings include French, Latin and Spanish. Each curriculum provides a multi-media approach to language acquisition. Students gain confidence in their ability to express themselves and think in a foreign language.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Learning through service and instilling a commitment to community service is an essential part of life at Friends’ Central School. All Middle School students participate in service projects every Wednesday for about an hour and a half. As we expose our students to a broad range of projects on and off campus, the notion of a world bigger than their own becomes a reality. Our students learn to be comfortable in new and different situations, to find commonalities with people different than themselves and, most importantly, they learn that they can make a difference in the School community and beyond.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Admission Office Athletic Service Bookstore Carousel House Development Office Easter Seals FCS Pre-K Buddies Lankenau Hospital MS Recycling Newspaper Overbrook Preschool Rosemont Presbyterian Village Saunders House

PRIMA LINGUA, MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES Foreign language study in Grade 6 is centered on the Prima Lingua program. During this course, students study the evolution of language and culture. In

Service-thru-Art Streamwatch Students of Culture Yearbook

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MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, continued

SPECIALS ROTATION Throughout the three years of Middle School, students rotate through courses in art, computers, drama, health, music, and Quakerism. Each of these courses adds breadth and depth to the Middle School curriculum. Through their exposure to the performing and visual arts, students are encouraged to tap into their creativity, learning to express themselves through the disciplines of art, drama, and music. They are challenged to wrestle with new ideas as they expand their knowledge base and are encouraged to formulate and articulate positions on issues. Students explore the tenets of the Quaker religion, which help them to understand and appreciate the mission of the School.

CLUBS Spanish Food & Culture Softball/Baseball Student Council Board Games History/Current Events Music Appreciation Open Art Studio Yoga Anime & Manga Make Club Improv Mythology in the Movies Literary Magazine

ACADEMIC EVALUATION The Middle School’s academic calendar is organized into trimesters, with meetings or telephone conferences held at the midpoint of each term and written progress reports emailed home to parents at the end of each term. During midterm conferences, advisors provide a general overview of the academic, behavioral and social development of

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

the students. Written reports, sent home in December, March, and June, contain a grid with letter grades and a teacher narrative. Students are evaluated in skill areas such a oral communication, reading comprehension, written work, and testing as well as work habits and concern for the community. In addition, teachers may send home individual special reports at any time during the year in order to inform the parents of noteworthy developments in the student’s class work or behavior.

GRADE 6 OVERVIEW For students entering Grade 6, Middle School is a new realm. For most, the transition includes a change from self-contained classrooms with a single teacher, to navigating the demands of a changing schedule and increasing academic demands. Guiding students through this process is an important aspect of every Grade 6 teacher’s role. Grade 6 is a year of tremendous academic growth. Students build upon strong elementary school foundations and begin to acquire new, more sophisticated skills essential to their success in Middle School and beyond. Some examples include reading for more than plot, inferring authors’ messages and noticing literary techniques; drawing on prior knowledge and making predictions; learning the difference between working in a group and active collaboration; and developing plans to manage long term assignments. Some highlights of Grade 6 are: • Weekly community Service • Clubs • Mini courses • Study of the Renaissance with a trip to the Renaissance Faire

GRADE 7 OVERVIEW Students entering Grade 7 are mastering the transition to Middle School and

ATHLETICS

are working to understand and manage the responsibility that comes with increasing independence. They are beginning to ask more of themselves, taking on some leadership roles in Middle School, preparing to step into the many demands of Grade 8. Grade 7 is an important year in our students’ academic development. They move from the important lessons of grade 6 to increasingly abstract and independent thinking, viewing their world and the greater world in a more analytical way. Some examples of this include working effectively within a group by helping the group to problem solve, supporting a point of view with textual evidence, using prior knowledge to ask good questions, and challenging assumptions thoughtfully and carefully. Increasingly, Grade 7 students are learning to understand their own thought processes and the way they learn.

approach projects, how to choose group members who will complement them - to ensure future success. They know how to use the resources around them effectively – advisors, teachers, support staff, family and friends. They understand how to safely and appropriately take risks – whether intellectual or otherwise. Some examples include, creating and supporting an original argument, making increasingly sophisticated connections between and among their studies of different disciplines, being self-directed learners planning their own approaches to projects and mapping out their timelines.

Some highlights of Grade 7 are: • Weekly community service • Clubs • Mini Courses • A week at Echo Hill Outdoor School

MIDDLE SCHOOL LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM — REQUIRED READING

GRADE 6 The Breadwinner

Deborah Ellis

In addition to the selections here, students read short stories, folk tales, myths, and poetry. They are also required to fulfill independent reading requirements. Readings include but are not limited to the following:

Book of Short Stories

Published by Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich

Fever 1793

Laurie Halse Anderson

Other selections could include The House of the Scorpion and The Giver

Nancy Farmer Lois Lowry

GRADE 8 OVERVIEW Grade 8 is a critical year in our students’ preparation for Upper School and beyond. Grade 8 students are the leaders of Middle School. Their leadership skills are mentored and they are encouraged to take leadership roles in activities. This often involves mentoring younger students. They are beginning to know themselves and to pursue their passions, using their gifts to achieve individual success and for the community. With the help of teachers, Grade 8 students have learned about themselves as learners. They understand how to approach different aspects of their learning - how to study for tests, how to

Some highlights of Grade 8 are: • Weekly Community Service • Clubs • Mini Courses • Earth Force projects • The 8th Grade Showcase

Because we believe in the connection between sound mind and sound body, and the importance of teamwork, athletics is built into the school day and all Middle School students participate. Students may choose between begin interscholastic and intramural teams and physical fitness activities.

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Cross Country

Basketball

Baseball (Boys)

Field Hockey

Dance

Lacrosse

Flag Football

Physical Fitness

*Physical

Physical Fitness

Swimming

Softball (Girls)

Soccer

Wrestling

Tennis (Boys)

Tennis (Girls)

Squash

Track and Field

Fitness

Water Polo * Limited enrollment

GRADE 7 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

Sherman Alexie

A Raisin in the Sun

Lorraine Hansberry

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

William Shakespeare

Other selections could include Flowers for Algernon

Daniel Keyes

GRADE 8 Animal Farm

George Orwell

West Side Story

Arthur Laurents

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee

Night

Elie Wiesel

Peter

Kate Walker

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MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, continued

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS UPPER

MIDDLE SCHOOL SAMPLE SCHEDULE: GRADE 6 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

8:25

Homeroom

8:30

Language Arts

Prima Lingua

Specials

Social Studies

Language Arts

9:10

Mathematics

Science

Language Arts

Mathematics

Science

9:50

Assembly

Community Block

Mathematics

Meeting for Worship

Club Block

10:25

Recess

10:40

Social Studies

Language Arts

Service/Lunch

Social Studies

11:20

Specials

Mathematics

Lunch

12:00

Lunch

Prima Lingua

Specials

12:40

Prima Lingua

Specials

Prima Lingua

Science

Mathematics

1:15

Chorus/Advisory

Orchestra/Advisory

Social Studies

Jazz Band/Advisory

Chorus/Advisory

1:55

Athletics

Science

Athletics

Dismissal

2:30 3:10

9TH THROUGH 12TH GRADE

Athletics Dismissal

Dismissal

• Specials include: art, computers, health, music, and Quakerism. • The following instruments are offered as private lessons: cello, clarinet, flute, guitar, percussion, piano, trumpet, viola, and violin.

SCHOOL Friends’ Central’s Upper School curriculum provides students an exceptional college preparatory program in an atmosphere that sets the highest of academic and personal standards. The environment is one in which students are encouraged to find their own voices and pursue their own intellectual, spiritual and ethical passions. They listen carefully to and respect the opinions of others, and collaborate in group problemsolving efforts, all of which promotes independent thought, the courage to voice their opinions, and the faith that these opinions will be valued. The challenging and innovative program includes lively and rigorous classes, athletic, artistic, and performance opportunities. The Friends’ Central classroom emphasizes advanced levels of critical and conceptual thinking, and independent projects that require significant student research. Students also have academic-based travel opportunities to places such as France, Spain, Greece, Japan and Peru. The adoption of 1:1 technology in the fall of 2014 combines our long history of academic excellence together with our commitment to innovation and preparation for a rapidly changing world. Leadership skills, global awareness, and self discipline are developed throughout the curriculum and in extracurricular activities such as Model United Nations, STEAM, Debate, Mock Trial, athletics, drama, music and numerous other clubs and activities. The Upper School program includes a required community service component with Upper School students and faculty spending five full days each year at agencies and organizations throughout the greater Philadelphia region.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SAMPLE SCHEDULE: GRADE 8 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

8:25

Homeroom

8:30

Science

Language Arts

Mathematics

Specials

Science

9:10

Foreign Language

Social Studies

Science

Foreign Language

Social Studies

9:50

Assembly

Community Block

Foreign Language

Meeting for Worship

Club Block

10:25

Recess

Service/Lunch

10:40

Specials

Science

Language Arts

Specials

11:20

Mathematics

Foreign Language

Mathematics

12:00

Lunch

12:40

Language Arts

Mathematics

Language Arts

Social Studies

Foreign Language

1:15

Chorus/Advisory

Orchestra/Advisory

Specials

Jazz Band/Advisory

Chorus/Advisory

1:55

Athletics

Social Studies

Athletics

Dismissal

2:30 3:10

Athletics Dismissal

Dismissal

• Specials include: art, computers, drama, music, and woodworking. • Students choose to take two years of French, Latin or Spanish. • The following instruments are offered as private lessons: cello, clarinet, flute, guitar, percussion, piano, trumpet, viola, and violin.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

CURRICULUM A typical Upper School schedule includes five major courses: English, foreign language, history, mathematics, and science. In addition, Grade 9 students rotate through single-trimester courses in Quakerism, information and digital literacy, and introduction to drawing. The Grade 10 rotation includes concepts in visual arts, music and society, and life skills (health). Students in Grades 11 and 12 have more opportunity to tailor their course selection to reflect individual interests and to select from an array of year-long arts courses.

MATHEMATICS To allow each student the opportunity to study at his or her own pace, the Upper School mathematics program provides for a high degree of flexibility in course

selection and sequence. Most students, for example, can design a sequence that includes a year of calculus without doing additional summer work. More advanced students have the opportunity to progress through the third level of calculus within our curriculum. When students require further acceleration, the School facilitates independent study or enrollment in a math course at a nearby college or university. All students are required to take three math courses; the majority take one each year. Most classes have both a regular and an advanced level offered. Some students choose to accelerate by taking a summer course. A typical Upper School path includes algebra 2, pre-calculus and calculus. While many

students take two years of calculus before graduating, others choose statistics over a second year of calculus. We have an active math team and many students compete in national mathematics competitions.

SCIENCE The Friends’ Central science curriculum strives to foster a deep appreciation for the meaning and relevance of science, while cultivating the development of independent learners skilled in critical thinking and original analysis. The sequence begins with an integrated course, Foundations of Scientific Knowledge, taken by all students in Grade 9. Developed by Friends’ Central teachers, this distinctive course explores

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM, continued physics, chemistry, and biology. Students learn the process of gathering, organizing, and interpreting scientific data in regular laboratory investigations. Following Foundations, students enroll in regular and advanced chemistry, biology, and physics classes which are available to students in Grades 10, 11 and 12. Students passionate about science may choose to take more than one science course and can pursue a second level of advanced chemistry, biology and physics. Each class has an active and integrated lab program. Interested students in all grades may participate in the Distinguished Visiting Scientist Program over the course of the year. This program offers a regular seminar meeting for instruction and dialogue, visits and conversation with the visiting scientist and summer travel to see scientists at work in the laboratory or the field

HISTORY An appreciation of historical context is central to understanding the world around us. Our study of history is an exploration of human experience: the ways diverse peoples have differed in their ideas, institutions and cultural practices, the ways experiences vary by period and nationality and social circumstances, and the ways people(s) have struggled with each other. We ask our students to make connections between the past and the world they now inhabit, and to ponder the question – how did we get this way? All Upper School students take World History in Grade 9 and American History in Grade 11. Most students also take Twentieth Century Global History in Grade 10, and virtually all take a history elective in Grade 12. topics include history of architecture, Capitalism and Consumption, Post-Colonial Africa (advanced), and Modern European history (advanced). Our history

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

courses emphasize the analysis of primary sources in the development of critical thinking and original argument. Students in Grade 11 complete a capstone, primary source-based piece of original research as part of the American History course. Interested students may also join clubs such as Model United Nations, the Debate Team and Mock Trial, where knowledge and a deep understanding of the origins of current events is essential.

ARTS

ENGLISH CURRICULUM — REQUIRED READING

Because we believe that students benefit from a well-rounded educational experience, all Upper School students take rotation courses in art and music as well as a full-year arts course. The performing and visual arts programs provide opportunities to create, compose, and perform throughout the year and nurture the creative spirits of our students.

In addition to the selections below, students read short stories, essays and poetry. Readings include but are not limited to the following:

ENGLISH

As a Quaker school, Friends’ Central believes that service is a vital spiritual and social component of the overall education of its students. Working in service to others offers the students an opportunity to know that there is “that of God” in themselves and in those whom they serve. Students enhance their own sense of self-worth as they realize how their service contributes to the quality of life for others and for the School community. Through ongoing service projects and reflective discussions, students become aware of their responsibilities to the Friends’ Central community as well as to the larger community and learn ways to work with people in different life circumstances. Projects are integrated into the life of the School and are arranged to encourage both individual responsibility and cooperation. The program aims to enable students to understand the value of service both at Friends’ Central and, upon graduation, as adult members of society.

In recognition of the power of strong written and verbal communication, sophisticated reading, careful listening, and critical thinking, English is required in each year of Upper School. Our curriculum is literature-based, drawing on texts that are both challenging and diverse, ranging from classical to contemporary masterworks. Students’ reading of texts grows from literal and figurative and progresses to a more nuanced reading that includes looking for patterns, inferring larger messages and listening for quieter voices. In our seminar style and discussionbased classes, students are asked to read carefully, to listen with an open mind, to present ideas respectfully, and to think and create courageously. Writing is taught as a process, typically involving brainstorming, rough drafts, peer review, and opportunity for revision. In the third trimester, students in Grades 11 and 12 select from a wide variety of seminar courses, giving students the opportunity to explore an aspect of literature in depth. A full year seminar, Writers Workshop, is available to students in Grades 11 and 12. Interested students may participate in a number of related clubs or projects such as Ink, Literature and Arts Magazine, the Humanities Core team, and the Poetry Club.

GRADE 9 – LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION I The Catcher in the Rye Salinger Macbeth Shakespeare Persepolis Satrapi Life of Pi* Martel GRADE 10 – LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION II Antigone Sophocles Things Fall Apart Achebe Twelfth Night Shakespeare Death of a Salesman Miller The Things They Carried O’Brien Ru Kim Thuy A Lesson Before Dying Gaines Of Mice and Men* Steinbeck Nickel and Dimed* Ehrenreich GRADE 11 – SURVEY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE** The Scarlet Letter Hawthorne Their Eyes Were Watching God Hurston Angels in America Kushner Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Douglass, an American Slave The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Twain “Civil Disobedience” and excerpts Thoreau from Walden The Great Gatsby* Fitzgerald GRADE 12 – LITERATURE OF THE WESTERN WORLD ** Beloved Morrison Frankenstein Shelley The Metamorphosis Kafka Hamlet Shakespeare Arcadia Stoppard Wit Edson Oryx and Crake* Atwood

SERVICE

• Service Days During the year, time is set aside for work in areas of social concern with the focus on community service. During a three-day program in November and a two-day program in May, Upper School students work at organizations such as the Philabundance, Philadelphia Public and charter schools, and the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum.

*Required Summer Reading. **Two-Trimester Course

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM, continued

ACADEMIC COURSES AT A GLANCE GRADE 9 Arts

English

Chorus Instrumental Ensemble

Mathematics

World History (req’d)

Geometry

Geometry Adv.

Algebra II Adv. Precalculus Adv. Foundations of Scientific Knowledge

Electives

Rotations Courses

French Latin Spanish Global History: WWI to the Present

Algebra I

Geometry Adv.

Science

Chorus Drama (Classical & Modern) Instrumental Ensemble Music History Music Theory Mixed Media Photography Studio Art I

GRADE 11 Chorus Drama (Classical & Modern) Instrumental Ensemble Music History Music Theory Mixed Media I & II Photography Studio Art I & II

Literature and Composition I Literature and Composition II American Literature

Foreign Language French Latin Spanish History

GRADE 10

Algebra II or Algebra II Adv. Precalculus Adv. Calculus I Adv. Foundations of Scientific Knowledge Biology I Chemistry I or I Adv. Physics I Adv.

Computer Science I: Web

Information & Digital Literacy Drawing Quaker Faith & Practice

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

Concepts in Visual Art Life Skills Music & Society

Writers’ Workshop Spring Seminars French Latin Spanish American History (required) The Ancient City: Jerusalem, Athens, Rome Capitalism & Consumption History of Architecture International Relations Peace Studies Philosophy Post-Colonial Africa Algebra II or Algebra II Adv. Precalculus or Precalculus Adv.

GRADE 12 Chorus Drama (Classical & Modern) Instrumental Ensemble Music History Music Theory Mixed Media I & II Photography Studio Art I & II Woodworking Literature of the Western World Writers’ Workshop Spring Seminars French Latin Spanish The Ancient City: Jerusalem, Athens, Rome Capitalism & Consumption History of Architecture International Relations Modern European History Adv. Peace Studies Philosophy Post-Colonial Africa Algebra II or Algebra II Adv. Precalculus or Precalculus Adv.

Calculus I or I Adv.

Calculus II Adv. Statistics or Statistics Adv.

Calculus II Adv. Statistics or Statistics Adv. Calculus III & Linear Algebra

Biology I or I Adv.

Chemistry I or I Adv. Chemistry II Adv. Physics Physics I Adv. Physics II Adv.

Biology II Adv. Botany Chemistry I or I Adv. Chemistry II Adv. Physics Physics I Adv. Physics II Adv. Computer Science I: Web Computer Science I: Web Computer Science II: Application Computer Science II: Application Media Studies Media Studies STEAM (non-credit) Sexuality and Society STEAM (non-credit)

• Campus Service Faculty and students in the Upper and Middle schools participate in an oncampus work program designed to foster responsibility, cooperation, teamwork, and self-discipline. Students are assigned to jobs for trimester intervals, with faculty and staff supervision. This program allows students to contribute to the well-being of the entire school community.

INDEPENDENT PROJECTS SENIOR PROJECT In the spring of senior year, students prepare written proposals for five-week work or study experiences. With Senior Project Committee approval, students pursue their projects, preparing and presenting materials for final evaluation

at the end of the project period. A minimum of one of the five weeks must be spent on a service project. The Senior Project and Service Committees help students find suitable service placements.

in oral and written communication and success in mastering course content. Mid-trimester progress reports in the first trimester provide parents and advisors with an early academic update.

ADVISING AND EVALUATION

COLLEGE COUNSELING

When students enter the Upper School they are assigned to homerooms, and their homeroom teachers serve as their advisors. The advisors monitor student progress, provide counsel when necessary, help with course selection, and communicate with parents on a regular basis. The Upper School functions on a trimester system, and an academic report is sent home at the end of each trimester. Letter grades are given for each course in the areas of effectiveness

Friends’ Central provides highly personalized, expert college admissions counseling to students and their families. Beginning in Grade 11, college counselors meet individually with students and their parents to guide families through the college admission process. These meetings continue throughout the junior and senior year. Each year, representatives from approximately 80 colleges and universities visit the campus to meet students and answer questions about their schools.

ATHLETICS Friends’ Central supports healthy competition in athletics. Our program provides opportunities for leadership, elite competition, and all levels of participation. We encourage the growth and development of our students as athletes and as people. Participation in physical education and athletics is required of all Upper School students. Students must participate in interscholastic sports for a minimum of four of their 12 trimesters, selecting from 25 sports/activities. Two of these seasons must be completed before the end of the sophomore year. During the remaining trimesters, students may choose either physical education or interscholastic sports. Friends’ Central competes in the Friends Schools League.

FALL BOYS

GIRLS

COED

WINTER

SPRING

Cross Country

Basketball

Baseball

Soccer

Squash

Lacrosse

Indoor Track

Tennis

Swimming

Track & Field

Cross Country

Basketball

Lacrosse

Field Hockey

Squash

Softball

Soccer

Indoor Track

Track & Field

Tennis

Swimming

Water Polo

Wrestling

Golf

Cheerleading Dance

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

COLLEGE STATISTICS

NATIONAL MERIT

SAT—2012-2014 3 YEAR AVERAGE

For the Classes of 2012 – 2014, 23% of the graduates attained the distinction of National Merit finalist, semifinalist, or commended student. Five of these students were awarded Merit Scholarships.

650 Critical Reading / 634 Math / 651 Writing

COLLEGE MATRICULATIONS — RECENT FIVE YEARS (2010-2014) Adelphi University University of Alabama Albright College (2) Allegheny College American University (2) Amherst College Arcadia University (3) University of Arizona Arizona State University The University of the Arts (2) Babson College Bard College Barnard College (2) Bates College (2) Bentley University Boston University (12) Bowdoin College (3) Brandeis University (3) Brown University (9) Bryant University Bryn Mawr College (5) Bucknell University (3) University of California Berkeley California University of PA Carnegie Mellon University (3) Case Western Reserve University Catholic University of America Chapman University Chestnut Hill College University of Chicago Clarion University of PA Clark University (2) Clemson University Colby College Colgate University (2) University of Colorado Boulder (2) Columbia College Chicago Columbia University (2)

Connecticut College (4) Cornell University (4) Culinary Institute of America University of Delaware (8) Denison University University of Denver Dickinson College (4) Digital Animation/Vis. Effects Sch. Drexel University (13) Duke University (2) Duquesne University Earlham College (2) East Stroudsburg University of PA Elizabethtown College (2) Elon University Emory University (9) Eugene Lang College The University of Findlay Florida Southern College Fordham University (2) Franklin & Marshall (12) George Mason University George Washington University (13) Gettysburg College Goucher College Hamilton College (5) Harvey Mudd College Haverford College (8) High Point University Hobart & William Smith Colleges (2) Indiana University Bloomington (4) Indiana University of PA Ithaca College (3) Johns Hopkins University (4) Kenyon College Lafayette College (4) LaSalle University Lehigh University (5)

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

Loyola Marymount University Loyola University in Maryland Macalester College (3) Maryland Institute College of Art University of Maryland (6) McDaniel College McGill University University of Miami (6) University of Michigan (3) Middlebury College University of Mississippi (2) Muhlenberg College (11) New York University (9) Niagara University Univ. of No Carolina Wilmington (2) Northeastern University (3) Northwestern University Oberlin College (7) Occidental College (5) Ohio Wesleyan University Parsons - New School for Design (3) Penn State University (9) University of Pennsylvania (36) Pepperdine University Philadelphia University University of Pittsburgh (12) Pomona College (4) Pratt Institute Princeton University (3) Purdue University Quinnipiac University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2) Rice University University of Richmond (3) Rochester Inst. of Technology (3) University of Rochester (5) Saint Joseph’s University (2) Sarah Lawrence College (2)

Univ. of the Sciences in Philadelphia The University of Scranton Scripps College (2) Shippensburg University of PA Skidmore College (4) Smith College University of South Carolina University of Southern California (2) St. John’s University (4) Swarthmore College (7) Syracuse University (3) Temple University (13) Texas Lutheran University University of Toledo Towson University Trinity College (CT) (3) Tufts University (6) Tulane University (4) Union College (6) Ursinus College (2) Vanderbilt University Vassar College (5) University of Vermont (2) University of Virginia Wagner College Wake Forest University (2) Washington Univ in St. Louis (10) Wesleyan University (4) West Chester University (8) Wheaton College (2) Widener University College of William & Mary Williams College (2) University of Wisconsin Madison The College of Wooster Worcester Polytechnic Institute (3) Yale University (6)

LIFE AT

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL GUIDELINES Friends’ Central School is known not only for our students’ academic achievements and their success in athletic and extracurricular activities but also for their conduct at school and in the community. Life at Friends’ Central teaches students to respect the rights and feelings of others. We expect parents to help support our principles and guidelines. In accordance with the Friends’ belief in simplicity and moderation, students are expected to dress simply, neatly, and comfortably in clothing appropriate to their ages and to all the activities of the school day. Other specific School policies are outlined in the School handbook and on the Friends’ Central School website.

ACADEMIC REPORTING Friends’ Central School encourages the involvement of all parents in the education of their children. Through report cards and conferences, the faculty seeks to keep parents apprised of academic achievement and social growth and development. In the case of divorced parents, the School believes that it is in the interest of every child to have both parents follow his/her educational progress. Therefore, the School normally sends reports to both parents and honors all legitimate requests by parents for reports on their children.

FACULTY AND STAFF To view faculty and staff profiles, please visit www.friendscentral.org.

ARRIVAL All Middle and Upper School students report to their homerooms at 8:25 am. Lower School students may arrive on campus after 7:30 am. Supervision is provided on the playgrounds or, in case of inclement weather, in the gymnasium until the bell rings at 8:30 am, at which time the students report to their classrooms.

DISMISSAL Half-day nursery school and pre-kindergarten students are dismissed at 12:00 noon. Full-day nursery school and pre-kindergarten students, along with all other Lower School children, are dismissed at 2:50 pm. Middle School students are dismissed at 3:10 pm, except when they are involved in an athletic event, an extracurricular activity, or a meeting with a teacher. Upper School students are dismissed after sports practice or at the end of classes (3:10 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 2:35 pm on Tuesday and Friday) if the student is not participating on a team. Clubs meet after school. Upper School faculty are also available at this time for academic support.

HEALTH Friends’ Central has a full-time registered nurse on each campus and a certified athletic trainer is present on the City Avenue campus every afternoon. In addition, two school psychologists are available to work with children, parents, and teachers concerning psycho-educational issues. Counseling is free of charge. FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

LIFE AT FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL, continued

ATHLETICS Students in Grades 6 through 8 may participate in interscholastic sporting events. Athletic practices are held during the last period of the school day and games are scheduled after 3:10 pm, usually on Mondays or Wednesdays.Upper School students involved in interscholastic sports report for practice at 3:30 pm. Athletic schedules, which state the time and location of games and meets, are available on the FCS website.

AQUATICS PROGRAM Friends’ Central Aquatics is designed to provide swim instruction and swim team experience for students of all ages in the Shimada Athletic Center on the City Avenue campus. Detailed information regarding Friends’ Central Aquatics can be found at www.swimfca.org.

THE LARGER COMMUNITY HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Friends’ Central has offered summer learning and recreational activities since 1929. The camp programs and optional extended-day programs on the Lower School and City Avenue campuses are all directed by Friends’ Central faculty chosen for their experience in working with children. The City Avenue campus allows older children to choose directed programs in tennis, drama, or art in the afternoon and houses a six-week advancement summer school for students in Grades 7 through 12. Since 1989, Friends’ Central’s Basketball, Reading, and Math Clinic has offered combined athletic and academic activities to Middle and Upper School students.

AUXILIARY SERVICES

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL ALUMNI/AE ASSOCIATION

Detailed information regarding the following can be found on the Friends’ Central website at www.friendscentral.org/aux.

From its beginning as the Old Pupils’ Association in 1902, the Alumni/ae Association of Friends’ Central School has dedicated itself to keeping alumni/ae aware of School activities and to continuing friendships begun in the classroom, in the schoolyard, in the arts program, and on the athletic fields. Friends’ Central holds several yearly events for its over 3,500 alumni/ae, including Homecoming, reunions, young alumni/ ae gatherings, a basketball party, Racers’ Day (a luncheon for graduates of 50 years and more), a golf outing that benefits financial aid, Baby Day (a morning for alumni/ae and their young children), and regional get-togethers. The Association keeps in touch with alumni/ae via various publications, such as Quaker Works, e-newsletters, Facebook and Twitter. A 20-member alumni/ae board advises Friends’ Central on appropriate programs to encourage alumni/ae interest in the School.

• Extended Day Program — Lower School Created to provide quality childcare for families who need after-school services, the program runs daily from 2:50 pm to 6:00 pm and is also available on parent conference days. • Food Service In Lower School, students may either bring lunches from home or may choose to purchase the yearly lunch contract. In Middle and Upper School, students may purchase the yearly contract plan, pay with cash daily, use our computerized debit system, or bring their lunches from home. Daily breakfast and snacks are also available. • Instrumental Music Lessons Friends’ Central students are offered the opportunity to take private music instruction on both the Lower School and City Avenue campuses. Violin, viola, and cello lessons are available to students in Grade 2. In Grade 3, students may choose piano as well. Brass and woodwinds are added to the list of choices in Grades 4 and 5. Once students move to the City Avenue campus, additional opportunities exist to study guitar and percussion instruments or to take voice lessons. • Private Transportation Friends’ Central offers convenient door-to-door transportation for students in Philadelphia and surrounding suburban areas. This service is available for both campus locations and includes the regular morning and afternoon busing of FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

• School Store Students and adults may purchase books, supplies, clothing, and gift items at the School Store on the City Avenue campus. Store hours are listed in the School directory and on the Friends’ Central School website.

The purpose of the Home and School Association is to acquaint parents with the School’s educational philosophy and purpose, to enlist parents’ help in carrying out these goals, and to provide a forum for parents and faculty to work together for the students’ best interests. The Association keeps parents informed of School events. In addition to hosting a reception for parents new to the School, there are grade-level gatherings, class dinners, and planned activities that provide opportunities for interaction with the faculty and with other parents. Yearly dues are $30 per child. All parents are encouraged to attend the Home and School Association meetings. Dates for all divisional meetings are listed in the yearly calendar sent to families at the start of the school year and updated on the website (www.friendscentral.org/parents).

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

students, shuttle service between campuses, and late bus transportation at 5:30 pm daily. Free shuttle service from the Overbrook Train Station to the City Avenue campus is also available each morning and afternoon. Friends’ Central’s bus service is staffed by experienced and fully qualified drivers. Every effort is made to consider each transportation need in order to best serve riders in all areas.

THE FRIENDS’ CENTRAL FUND Annual gifts to the Friends’ Central Fund are the School’s primary fundraising activity, essential because it supports the daily operations of the School. Like every school, Friends’ Central’s tuition does not cover the full cost of educating our students. Gifts to the Friends’ Central Fund provide the ability to cover a substantial portion of the shortfall. All members of the School community — parents, alumni/ae, parents of alumni/ae, trustees, and friends — are asked to support the Fund. The unrestricted monies raised through annual gifts to the Fund allow the School to have the flexibility to recruit and retain its excellent faculty, to offer programs that enhance the students’ educational experience, and to maintain campus facilities.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

TUITION

AND FINANCIAL AID TUITION 2014–2015 Grades 9-12

$30,800

Grades 6-8

$27,500

Grade 5

$26,600

Grades 2-4

$23,500

Grade 1

$22,200

Kindergarten

$19,950

Pre-kindergarten

$18,850

Nursery School

$15,250

HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID 1. Note your desire to apply for financial aid on the online inquiry form or make a request for financial aid during the initial phone call or parent interview. 2. In the fall, parents who are applying for financial aid must complete the Parent Financial Statement available at sss.nais.org. Both natural parents and their current spouses, if any, must complete this form using information from their most recent tax return. In the case of divorce or separation, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to ask the noncustodial parent to fill out the necessary forms. If information is not received from all parents, the Financial Aid Committee will be unable to award a grant to the student.

• Full tuition due and payable on or before July 15.

3. In addition to the Personal Financial Statement, parents must submit a copy of their most recent federal tax return filed with the IRS (Form 1040 and all schedules) and Wage and Tax Statements (Form W-2). This information should be sent to the Office of Financial Aid, Friends’ Central School, 1101 City Ave., Wynnewood, PA 19096.

• Payment of two-thirds of the tuition on or before July 15 and the remaining one-third of the tuition on or before January 2.

4. Financial aid decisions are made by the Financial Aid Committee in early February, at which time admitted students are notified of their grant status.

• 10 monthly payments through Higher Education Services (HES), with the first payment due to HES by April 30. No other extended payment plans are permitted. No student may attend school if his or her tuition has not been paid.

The information families provide is kept in strictest confidence. Substantial delay in providing the required information may jeopardize a student’s chance of receiving an award.

FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM

WYNNEFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOLAR PROGRAM

The request for financial aid by new students is separate from the admission process and does not affect the student’s application for admission to the School. Financial aid grants are awarded to students of all grade levels and are decided on the basis of need and availability of funds. For the 2014-2015 academic year, Friends’ Central provided financial assistance to 32 percent of its students in the amount of approximately $5 million. Grants ranged from $1,000 to nearly full tuition, with the average grant being approximately $17,000. It is important that each family assume primary responsibility for financing their student’s education. Families must explore personal resources before applying to the School for funds. However, with the assistance of the Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, foundations, alumni/ae, parents, and friends, Friends’ Central School is able to offer financial aid to deserving students who demonstrate financial need.

The Wynnefield Community Scholar Program is an endowed scholarship in memory of Elizabeth Whereat ’43. The program is for new students entering grades 5 through 9 who reside in the 19131 and 19139 postal zip code zones. This need-based scholarship is awarded to a student whose performance on a competitive scholarship exam, previous school record, and good citizenship qualify that student for this honor. The scholarship is renewable each year so long as the student maintains good citizenship and academic standing and financial need remains. Interested families can access details on how to apply at www.friendscentral.org/admission/financial-aid/wynnefield-scholar. Please note that applications and supporting materials for the scholarship must be received by November 7, 2014.

Tuition may be paid in one of the following ways: • Full tuition, minus 1% discount, payable on or before June 15.

Friends’ Central School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, and athletic and other School-administered programs.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

ADMISSION

ALL GRADES Friends’ Central School admits the best-qualified applicants without regard to religious, national, or racial background. When selecting applicants, the Admission Committee considers a number of factors. In addition to admission testing and a classroom visit, the Committee takes into account the student’s ability to handle college preparatory work and to show good citizenship. In order to be considered in the first round of decisions, applications for the 2015-2016 school year must be submitted by December 15. Students who complete all subsequent required parts of the admission process by January 15, 2015 will receive an admission decision before February 1, 2015. The enrollment deadline is March 1, 2015. Late applicants will continue to be considered based on availability of space after February 1, 2015 and will receive an admission decision approximately 2 weeks after the completion of all parts of the admission process.

HOW TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION The steps needed to complete the application process depend on the child’s grade level. Please note that Friends’ Central has an age cutoff date of September 1.

NURSERY SCHOOL 1. Complete the application form online and submit it along with the $50 application fee. 2. Schedule a parent interview and tour with the Lower School Admission Office. 3. Schedule a one-hour visit for your child. This visit gives our teachers the opportunity to observe your child in our educational setting. 4. All steps in the admission process must be completed by January 15, 2015

PRE-KINDERGARTEN 1. Complete the application form online and submit it along with the $50 application fee. 2. Schedule a parent interview and tour with the Lower School Admission Office. 3. Schedule a one-hour visit for your child. This visit gives our teachers the opportunity to observe your child in our educational setting. 4. Submit the confidential teacher recommendation form to your child’s current teacher, where applicable (available online at www.friendscentral.org or from the Admission Office). Request that this form be returned directly to Friends’ Central School. 5. Additional testing may be required for those applicants for whom the Admission Committee feels there is insufficient information upon which to base a decision. In such cases, the Committee may request that parents make arrangements to have the student take the WPPSI-III (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence). The Admission Office will provide more information if needed. 6. All steps in the admission process must be complete by January 15, 2015.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 5 1. Complete and return the application form online and submit it along with the $50 application fee. 2. Schedule a parent interview and tour with the Lower School Admission Office. 3. Schedule a one-hour visit for students who are applying for Kindergarten, a half-day visit for students who are applying for Grades 1, 2, and 3, and a full-day visit for those students who are applying for Grades 4-5. 4. Submit the confidential teacher recommendation form to your child’s current teacher (available from the Admission Office or online at www.friendscentral.org). Request that this form be returned directly to Friends’ Central School. 5. Submit the transcript request card to your child’s current school (Grades 2-5). The official transcript should include grades from the previous school year and at least one marking period of the current school year, as well as the most recent set of standardized test scores. 6. Arrange for your child to take the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISCIV). Depending on the student’s age, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III) may be substituted. These tests are not administered by Friends’ Central School and must be scheduled with a licensed psychologist who is trained to administer these tests. The Admission Office can assist you in locating a tester in your area. If your child has taken either of these tests within the past two years, those results may be acceptable. For students applying to Grade 5, the Independent School Entrance Exam (administered by the Educational Records Bureau) is also acceptable. 7. All steps in the admission process must be complete by January 15, 2015.

GRADES 6 THROUGH 12 1. Complete and return the application form online and submit it along with the $50 application fee. 2. Schedule a parent interview/tour and a full-day student visit for your child. Students will be asked to complete a writing sample during their visit. 3. Arrange for your child to take either the Independent School Entrance Exam (administered by the Educational Records Bureau) or the Secondary School Admission Test (administered by the Secondary School Admission Test Board). Registration forms for these tests are available online at erblearn.org (ISEE) or ssat.org (SSAT). The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) is also acceptable for Grades 6–12. In certain instances, an SAT, PSAT, or Otis Lennon score is acceptable. 4. Request that Friends’ Central receive from your child’s current school at least one set of standardized test scores along with a copy of your child’s grades from the previous school year and from at least one current marking period. 5. Request that your child’s current English and mathematics teachers complete and return, directly to Friends’ Central School, the confidential teacher recommendation forms. These forms are available online at www.friendscentral.org. 6. All steps in the admission process must be complete by January 15, 2015.

FRIENDS’ CENTRAL 2014 – 2015 CURRICULUM GUIDE

FRIENDSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CENTRAL SCHOOL Lower School Nursery School through Grade 5 228 Old Gulph Road Wynnewood, PA 19096-1019 610-642-1018 610-642-6983 (fax) Middle and Upper Schools Grades 6 through 12 1101 City Avenue Wynnewood, PA 19096-3418 610-645-5032 610-658-5644 (fax) www.friendscentral.org

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