Mission, Values, & History

Princeton Friends School is a progressive Quaker school. In fact, the ideals of progressive education fit beautifully with the Quaker values at the center of Friends education: community, equality, and the honoring of every student as an individual.

“Progressive Education” is a term used to describe education that aims to meet every student as an individual, and from there engage both intellectual and social intelligence. Progressive educators began making themselves known in the early 1800s, but found their most eloquent voice nearly a century later, when social reformer John Dewey opened his Laboratory School at the University of Chicago in 1896.

From there, Dewey and a small group of like-minded colleagues began testing the idea that education ought to be about raising critical, questioning thinkers. Along with testing the theory, the Laboratory School also tested the limits of a society entrenched in civic inequities and a system of education built upon racial and economic segregation.

Throughout the 20th century progressive educators rocked the boat, often as the first voices to speak out for the importance of diversity, multiculturalism, multiple intelligences, cooperative and collaborative learning, and what has since become known as a “child-centered” approach to teaching. Drawing from the work of Dewey and later many who taught his work at Columbia University’s Teachers College, progressive education gained ground rapidly by opposing a status quo that was separate, unequal, and increasingly anachronistic. By mid-century, many public schools had adopted elements of the progressive curriculum. What followed was a flourishing of independent (and eventually charter) schools built upon progressive ideals: The Bank Street College of Education Elementary School and The Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York City; The Peninsula School in Menlo Park, California; The Putney School in Vermont; the Park School of Baltimore, and many more.

Progressive education is an educational philosophy that prioritizes the holistic development of each student, focusing on their academic, social, and emotional growth. Unlike traditional education, which often emphasizes standardized testing and memorization, progressive education is student-centered, encouraging hands-on, experiential learning and critical thinking.

This approach to education is about cultivating curiosity, empathy, and lifelong learning. As modern advocates like Alfie Kohn emphasize, progressive education promotes collaboration, self-directed learning, and a sense of social responsibility, helping students to become engaged, active members of their communities.

At Princeton Friends School, progressive education is woven into everything we do. Our student-centered approach values curiosity, exploration, and hands-on learning, creating an environment where students actively engage in their own educational journey. You’ll see progressive education in our mixed-age classrooms, where students learn to collaborate, think critically, and support each other.

We emphasize experiential learning, whether it’s through place-based outdoor education, community service projects, or inquiry-based classes that encourage students to ask questions and explore real-world issues. Guided by Quaker values, we prioritize social responsibility, empathy, and inclusion, fostering a compassionate community where students are empowered to become thoughtful, engaged citizens.