At the center of a Friends education are the Quaker testimonies, or values, often represented by the acronym SPICES. These principles guide the educational process and shape the school community, fostering an atmosphere of dignity, empathy, and love of neighbor.
We create scholars who think critically and solve problems, not just at school, but in our world. We cultivate a community that is welcoming to and inclusive of people from all backgrounds. We develop leaders who will leave HPFS and make a positive difference in our community and the world. We practice service and grow servant leaders who are good stewards of our environment and loving of our neighbors.
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 inquiry based and experiential and requires students to engage in hands-on activities, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.
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.
