EXTRA! Featuring FSP & Quaker education.

Learning the Quaker Way: The school teaches tolerance and respect and promotes the search for truth in all subjects.

By Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer, January 7th, 2009

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The following letter to the editor was published in the Portland Press Herald on Friday, December 12th in response to Greg Kesich’s editorial published on Wednesday, December 3 in which he expressed his disappointment in the Obama’s decision to send their children to an “elite private school,” Sidwell Friends School, instead of the local public schools.

As a former public school student and teacher, I agree with much of Greg Kesich’s editorial supporting public schools; however, most of my career has been in Friends (Quaker) education including Friends School of Portland where I am head of school. In my opinion, Quaker schools don’t fit the “elite private school” mold. Friends School of Portland, like most Quaker schools, is an inclusive, independent school community, not a “private” school. Friends try to create schools in which every child is known and nurtured; where it is safe to be oneself. Our independence allows us to provide a holistic education including the spiritual dimension of life. We believe that each person has a Light within and that we must daily seek that Light in ourselves and others. We strive to resolve differences in mutually respectful and peaceful ways. In a school setting, we teach by inquiry, we value varied perspectives, we reflect on what we have learned, and we put our beliefs into action. It is true independent schools depend on tuition and that requirement alone may create a sense of elitism, but Quaker schools have been leaders in making their schools affordable to create diverse communities which benefit all who attend. At Friends School of Portland, 20% of our tuition revenue is budgeted for financial aid and nearly 50% of our families receive aid. Ask our families what kind of school they are attending. I doubt that their answers will include “private” or “elite.” ~ James Grumbach, Head of School