Curriculum Overview

Educating the Whole Child

Greene Street Friends School fosters students' development and competencies in a broad sense. Building on children’s natural inclination to actively construct, discuss, and experiment, and using an understanding of the unique capabilities of each child, teachers promote intellectual growth by providing challenging learning opportunities within a rich, integrated curriculum.

Recognizing the inherent connectedness of the individual and the community and the benefits of learning through others’ perspectives, teachers nurture students' ability to engage constructively with others. Spiritually, children grow within our overlying structure of Quaker practices and beliefs.

Because children’s emotional and physical well-being and growth are essential and affect learning capacity in other areas, time is devoted to these needs. Teachers guide students in identifying, managing, and expressing feelings with confidence and respect and in developing a sense of physical control, coordination, and enjoyment.

Pursuing a Broad Range of Learning Experiences

Our instructional program strengthens both the spirit of critical inquiry and the love of learning. At Greene Street, students take an active role in their own education: They frame and pursue questions in discussions, they work both independently and in teams to explore and solve problems, and they present their knowledge in a variety of forms. Individuals bring their own strengths to cooperative learning groups and support each other as they learn new skills.

Teachers vary modes of instruction to reach across multiple learning styles. By emphasizing active learning and personal responsibility, we empower young people to become lifelong learners. Our teaching team cultivates its own growth by actively pursuing professional development opportunities and by meeting regularly to reflect on and hone teaching practice. Faculty and staff work together to integrate skills and disciplines, and to make subject matter meaningful for their students.

Challenge and Hard Work Essential to Success

We expect our students to put forth an earnest effort in all areas, so that they can achieve their personal best. Teachers help students build good study habits, self-discipline, and a positive attitude, which in turn enables them to apply their effort productively. Our school establishes expected learning outcomes for each grade level to appropriately challenge and prepare each student. Teachers equip students with the skills, knowledge, and concepts they will need for the next step in their education and continually encourage students to stretch their own unique abilities in lessons, discussions, activities and assignments.