MFS Key Messages and Conversation Pieces A reference guide for parents to provide conversational talking points and answer questions about Moorestown Friends School
Introduction and Purpose Dear Parents, Many families are seeking the best possible education for their children, and they may come to you with questions about Moorestown Friends School. We want all of our parents to serve as thoughtful and proud ambassadors for the school and would like to provide you with talking points and conversation pieces that may help frame conversations with friends, neighbors, associates and others. This booklet is intended to: • Highlight the many reasons families have given for choosing MFS • Provide specific answers to some of the tough questions proud parents of students from other area schools often ask. This booklet has three components: • What Families Are Saying About MFS • Tough Questions and Good Answers • Preparing Your Elevator Speech In addition to providing this booklet, we are happy to answer any questions you may have. After reading this document, if you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact Karin Miller at kmiller@mfriends.org or 856-914-4427. Sincerely, Karin Miller
Mike Schlotterbeck
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Director of Marketing and Communications
I. What Families Are Saying About MFS “Moorestown Friends offers an academically rigorous curriculum while also nurturing the spiritual and ethical growth of each student.” “Graduates overwhelmingly report they are well-prepared for college.” “The faculty have strong academic credentials - often hired through national searches. They have a passion for teaching and are attracted by the strength of our student body.” “With smaller class sizes, our faculty can provide more individualized attention for every child. Manageable class sizes also provide greater job satisfaction.” “Respect for the individual is at the foundation of the community thanks to Quaker values.” “There is a mutual respect among children and adults, because smaller class sizes allow them to talk with, know and respect one another.” “The respect for independent thinking is cultivated successfully. These qualities are reflected in testing and, perhaps more importantly, in conversations inside and outside the classroom. Young alumni are also far outperforming national employment averages for their demographics.” ‘’The value placed on service and the decisions and processes involved are strong in the MFS community.” “Parents are active, engaged members of the school community, and receive a great deal of communication from the school and their child’s teachers. Lower School parents, especially, often comment about the frequency and quality of communication with their child’s teachers. You become part of a network of parents committed to independent school and Friends education.” “My children are in a safe and trusting environment.” According to the National Association of Independent Schools, MFS graduates, like graduates of independent schools nationwide, will be ... • More likely to have better grades in college • More likely to vote • More likely to seek an advanced degree • More likely to promote racial understanding • More likely to go to the theater or an art gallery • More likely to be involved in their communities • More up-to-date with current and political affairs • More likely to spend time reading for pleasure • More engaged in physical fitness, sports and exercise
II. Tough Questions & Good Answers In this section, we provide answers to challenging questions that you may hear in social situations.
Don’t you think your children miss out on the social aspects of being in a big school? Will your children be OK in college when they get around a broader array of kids? Haven’t they been too sheltered? “Research affirms that small schools educate students better than large schools. MFS graduates are provided with the tools to succeed in college and in the workplace. They have a great sense of self and are empowered by their MFS education. Since most MFS students still socialize with friends at other schools -- in sports, on vacation or over part of the weekends -- their social network is even broader and can grow without compromising access to a top education in the most critical years of their lives.” “Graduates tell us that, compared to their roommates and friends from other types of schools, MFS prepared them better for the real world. There is a commitment to educating students for the 21st century through skills such as: collaboration, critical thinking, accessing and analyzing information, oral and written communication skills and more. Top colleges, socially and academically, are not like big high schools. It’s cool to be smart at MFS and students are very respectful of differences. I want my children ready for the real world they will face, which, if they are successful, will more likely be a place like MFS where all of their classmates will be attending college.” “MFS is more ethnically diverse than many area public schools with 34% students of color. In addition, there is a wide range of religious traditions present in the student body and many of those traditions are explored in great depth in Quakerism classes. A full-time Director of Multicultural Affairs provides additional support and programming for students, faculty and parents.”
Don’t you think that your children are being pampered? “MFS results come from hard work and challenge...quite the opposite of pampered. The kids score 150-300 points better on the SATs because they are being pushed more, not less, than their peers at area schools. MFS Upper School students also score very well in the College and Work Readiness Assessment, a well-known measure of 21st century skills and competencies.” “Many students play 2 or 3 sports instead of just one, and the schedule keeps them busy and out of trouble. While it is more challenging, they are more self-assured as a result. We think it is worth it.” “Many students participate in the performing arts because the school culture has made that universally accepted and well respected. Many have other extracurricular interests through the school or on their own -- all challenging, all worth it and all helpful in the college process, too.”
I don’t see how you rationalize it financially. Is it really worth it? I pay significant property and school taxes. What are you getting for that kind of money? “It is well worth the investment to help my child become a poised, well-spoken young person who has a great sense of self. I feel confident that my child’s voice will be heard in this community and that they will have access to educational opportunities, resources and experiences that would not be possible in a more traditional setting.” “We want real security for our kids down the road. The best possible education is a sensible investment in that security.” “Students are not only engaged and challenged academically, they are developing their own personal set of moral, ethical and spiritual values and this occurs in every course and classroom, not just in a religion class.” “Families at MFS often struggle to make it happen. And yet most find themselves willing to do it year after year. It seemed unusual to me before I knew some of the advantages of the school before I’d seen them for myself. Visiting the school and talking to other parents convinced us that the advantages were genuine. Once we visited, we knew we were making the right decision for our kids. Retention rates are perennially well above national averages for independent schools. That is a great testament to the quality of the experience for families.” “For me, it’s all the advantages - the cultural advantages, the extracurricular advantages, the ability to cultivate independent thinking -- that steered us toward enrolling at MFS. MFS prepares kids for a bigger world really well. For college and life - socially, academically, culturally - MFS puts my children in a position to succeed in their careers and as responsible citizens.”
“We make a decent middle-class living, but I’m not confident we can afford to pay full tuition. Financial Aid is not for people from our circumstances.” “More than one third of students at Moorestown Friends receive financial aid. There is a financial aid service -- (sss.nais.org) -- that provides a very rough estimate of what the school is projected to provide in terms of support. More and more middle income families are seeing this as a worthwhile process. It is really worth knowing with certainty how the financial picture would look. The school sincerely wants to make things work for families.”
Why should I spend a significant amount of money if my kid is not going to get into a highly selective college? “MFS has the most individually tailored and attentive college guidance program in South Jersey. Colleges know the patterns and statistics - that our students outperform their peers regionally - and seek out MFS students. There are two professional staff members assigned to a class of about 72 students. This leads to personal attention and guidance that is incomparable to a large public school. Students and parents are guided through the entire process by a professional staff member over the course of their junior and senior year to find the college that is the best fit for the student.” “My kids’ references will be from faculty who have known them for many years and who will take the time necessary to prepare an appropriate and personalized recommendation for my child. It is reassuring to know that college references will be prepared in a thoughtful manner by teachers who will be keenly aware of my child’s strengths and abilities.” “MFS has a fantastic reputation in college admissions offices around the country. This is a significant advantage for students as the merits of an application are weighed by admissions officers. Those making decisions on MFS students do not have to question the quality or rigor of the curriculum. They know they are accepting prepared students to their institution.” “Nationwide, the applications to Ivy League schools have quintupled since we were in school, for the same number of spaces. It is more competitive for every school, but that new level of competition makes MFS even more crucial. My children’s options will be strengthened at MFS. And wherever they go, they will be better off.”
My child is really gifted/talented in sports, so she/he needs to go to our public school. “High-level athletes thrive at MFS and appreciate the opportunity to compete for Friends Schools League championships as well as NJSIAA championships. Mid-level athletes tend to develop and succeed at MFS where there is more opportunity for playing time; whereas, at many large public schools, they would be competing against a large number of similarly skilled athletes. Studentathletes aren’t just a number at MFS.” “The coaching staff is made up of many former NCAA athletes who provide great skill and character development for student-athletes. Opportunities to be part of a team are great from grades 6-12.” “There is a much better chance that my child could play two or three varsity sports, develop leadership skills and keep the value of sports in perspective. Participation levels are very high with approximately 3/4 of Middle and Upper School students playing at least one sport.”
“I feel real loyalty to my district, which needs families who are committed to public education. If they lose really well-behaved children, the public schools suffer. I feel guilty giving up.” “A lot of families feel that way. Many take a close look to learn exactly what the differences are, to know what they are potentially sacrificing. Those that eventually enroll know that their tax dollars still pay for public education in their district. Many continue with their volunteer work and know their child’s absence can serve to strengthen the ratios remaining at the school, which are at the heart of making each school work toward its potential. Many families also feel that their child’s future is vitally connected to a safe, healthy and successful school. The downside of staying in a public program can be simply too great to make the decision without a close look. Many who do are impressed by the magnitude of the differences. The challenges of this century’s economy make careful consideration fair and wise.”
Our public school offers many specialized courses - MFS can’t offer the diversity of classes public school can. “Without a close look, I understand how someone might cite an example and draw broader conclusions without all the data. Per student in particular, MFS overall provides much greater depth and breadth of curriculum. Upper School students, for example, can take electives in architecture, forensic science, woodworking, playwriting, photography, a wide array of technology, music and art courses and much, much more. In the end, our SAT and AP scores and the advantages we offer overwhelm individual anecdotal differences with area schools.” “At MFS, our kids get something academically that a course or subject or honors program can’t touch -- an environment completely conducive to the most accelerated, successful and individualized learning environment in South Jersey. One or even two courses of study simply aren’t a good enough rationale to lose advantages that MFS provides which area schools cannot afford and/or are unable to cultivate.”
“Public school was good enough for me, and it’s good enough for my kids. I am successful in my business because I had to work a little harder to overcome challenges that public school posed.” “Many MFS parents went to public school, loved it and are proud of their background. It makes the decision to make the sacrifice for our children even harder. But when many of us went to public school, it was different. The teachers had greater authority, the problems kids brought to class were less significant, and the competition both in college and after was less significant. Many MFS parents who went to public school say they wish they had the opportunity to attend an independent school like MFS. ”
My children are doing fine. MFS isn’t for them. I’ve heard Moorestown Friends is a catch-all for kids who can’t “make it” at public school - is that true? “The MFS admission process selects students who fit its academic program and who demonstrate genuine leadership. In many cases, indeed, students are doing fine in their public school - but they have not been pushed to reach their potential or explore their interests and passions. Many students blossom when they arrive at MFS and take advantage of the numerous opportunities and learning experiences available. Students flourish in the arts, have the option to participate in a wide range of Middle and Upper School sports, score 150-300 points better on the SATs and are better prepared for college because they are being pushed more, not less, than their peers at area schools.” “Families switch to MFS to have their kids surrounded by a culture that values learning, the arts and community differently than other schools. Top colleges, socially and academically, are not like big high schools. The switch is made to prepare their children properly for the 21st century. I want my children ready for the real world they will face, which, if they are successful, will be similar to MFS.”
Is the MFS community diverse? “MFS has 34% students of color, far above the area average and far above the average for U.S. independent schools. There is a full-time Director of Multicultural Affairs who serves as an advocate and resource for students of color and their families and MFS faculty and staff via seminars, workshops and special events. The school enrolls students from a wide variety of faiths. The Quakerism curriculum involves significant exploration of various worldwide faiths and traditions. The intimate community and low faculty-student ratio allow for genuine understanding and respect for differences to take place.”
How do parents become involved in the school community? “MFS parents are members of an engaged network of adults who have a commitment to independent school and Friends education. Many parents become deeply involved in the school community and this involvement is coordinated by the MFS Parent Council. Volunteer opportunities via Parent Council are plentiful and each grade level has assigned class parents. The Red & Blue Club is a a parent organization that provides active support for the MFS Athletic Department. The Bravo! Club is a parent organization that provides active support to the Arts Department, including assistance with student performances.”
What do parents get? Parents join a network of people who value the importance of a strong academic program and vibrant community. They connect with the advisor for their child in Middle/Upper School and with their classroom teacher in the Lower School. Parents receive frequent communication about what’s happening at MFS and how their child is doing. They gain confidence in knowing that their child is in a safe place where it is cool to be smart and enjoy learning. Parents have the comfort knowing their child will be known and respected by the adults in the community. There are two college counselors, a school psychologist and Director of Multicultural Affairs available to provide support.
III. Preparing Your Elevator Speech If you have ever have a few minutes to discuss Moorestown Friends with friends, neighbors and others, below are some paragraphs that may help you prepare your MFS “elevator speech.”
Moorestown Friends is a 227-year-old school equipped for the 21st century. In its 227th year and guided by Quaker philosophy, Moorestown Friends offers exactly the kind of program that is becoming widely recognized as a model for the most effective schools in the 21st century: a small school community with a broad perspective and a curriculum that emphasizes depth and relevance in learning. With its emphasis on global perspective and realworld applications, the curriculum, like the community at MFS, requires students to develop a sense of perspective broader than their own experience. They must read, analyze, and apply complex material, learning to use knowledge to solve even unfamiliar and unexpected problems. Through that depth of learning, students develop a capacity for innovation and independence in their thinking as well as a strong work ethic and a more mature confidence about approaching new challenges. After progressing through the Friends program, our graduates are well-prepared for college, work, and engaged citizenship. They have the life skills of knowing how to learn, how to collaborate, how to apply knowledge in relevant ways to new situations, and how to define and assert their own perspectives while respecting the views of others.
A small school community with a broad perspective supports students’ development as individuals and as citizens. The Moorestown Friends School community is small enough to be relationship-based and diverse enough to reflect the world in which we live and to serve students with a variety of strengths. There are adult mentors and advocates for every student at MFS, mentors who both offer support and hold students to very high standards for their work and behavior. Largely because of the Quaker perspective and its application to school governance and community engagement, students have an exceptional range and number of opportunities where they can lead and contribute. The foundation of community both allows for more attention to students as individuals and deepens their sense of connection and responsibility to others.
The defining strengths of Moorestown Friends School rise naturally from Quaker values and philosophy. Quaker education is unique in both nurture and demand, and by definition requires engagement in the world. In the school setting, the Quaker belief that there is “that of God” in everyone translates to respecting and supporting what is unique and of infinite value in each student. At the same time students recognize their profound obligation to do their personal best and fulfill their responsibilities as members of a community. The philosophical emphasis on continuous self-improvement and outward engagement helps to ensure that, even as the world changes, a Moorestown Friends School education will continue to meet the highest standard of academic excellence with relevance.
110 E. Main St. • Moorestown, NJ 08057 • 856-795-5054 • www.mfriends.org