A Friends education values the inherent worth and potential of every individual and focuses on developing the whole person – academically, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Our nurturing and inclusive learning environment encourages students to express their thoughts and beliefs freely, while listening respectfully to the perspectives and experiences of others. We are committed to ensuring our students develop empathy and cultural competence within a community of people from various backgrounds.  

Community plays a significant role in a Friends education, with an emphasis on building relationships and fostering a sense of inclusion. We prioritize community involvement and service, expecting students to actively participate in service-learning projects. Regular and meaningful service-learning activity in our local and global community is intended to open a student’s eyes to the broader world, develop service as a habit of the heart and intentionally challenge the students to step out of their comfort zones. 

As a Friends school, we focus on gaining knowledge and developing skills so students can become problem solvers, transforming students from passive recipients of information to active participants in the learning process. Learning is fun because it is inquiry based and experiential and requires students to engage in hands-on activities, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. HPFS is creating scholars who think critically and solve problems, not just at school, but in the world by using the Workshop Approach to Teaching and Learning. 

Workshop Approach to Teaching & Learning

• Explicit Instruction - Mini-lesson by the teacher for 7-12 minutes to whole class

• Independent student work - practice skill or concept modeled by the teacher during the mini-lesson

• Differentiation - teacher works with students who may need additional support or challenge - teacher may confer one to one or in small groups

• Collaboration - students working in pairs or small groups to discuss solutions or best approach to the skill, concept or problem

• Share & Reflect - teacher leads time for students to share what they noticed and learned 

This approach to creating scholars empowers students to take responsibility for their learning and promotes curiosity about the world. Too often the natural curiosity (joy) that students come to school with as four or five year olds is eliminated by third grade because schools focus on preparing students to take standardized tests. HPFS believes that learning is best accomplished when it is meaningful, self-directed and actively constructed.