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A Private, Independent Elementary & Grade School

Virginia Beach Friends School focuses on developing the "whole child." We consider the needs of every student, allowing the child to develop cognitively, emotionally, socially and spiritually at their own rate.

A child's learning style, pattern, and progress are as individual and unique as he or she is. That's why we believe that each child's education should be personal and customized. Children with access to different and unrestricted learning experiences are given the gift of individuality and time.

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Lower School: 1st - 5th Grade

Our Lower School focuses on developing the "whole child." We consider the needs of every student, allowing the child to develop cognitively, emotionally, socially and spiritually at their own rate. A child's learning style, pattern, and progress are as individual and unique as he or she is. That's why we believe that each child's education should be personal and customized. Children with access to different and unrestricted learning experiences are given the gift of individuality and time.

Elementary School at VBFS encourages experimental learning which supports students in applying their knowledge and conceptual understanding to real-world situations. Whether it's working in our gardens, learning about sustainability at local farms, planting seagrass in our community or chasing weather balloons - our students learn best by doing.

About Virginia Beach Friends School

Virginia Beach Friends School (VBFS) is a Quaker co-educational independent school serving students ranging from Pre-K through Grade 8. Located just miles from the Chesapeake Bay yet situated in the heart of the bustling Hampton Roads metropolitan area, our school's unique location allows students to learn by doing. Whether harvesting oysters in local riverbeds for environmental science or creating a curated art show as a Senior Project - VBFS students see their learning come to life. Plus, our balanced student to teacher ratio allows instructors to deliver an unprecedented level of attention to each individual learner, ensuring student success no matter the age or academic level.

Founded in 1955, Friends continues a 350-year tradition of Quaker educational principles committed to an inquiry-based curriculum and experiential learning. VBFS is as much of an idea as it is a location. We have progressed from a simple gathering of children to the thriving community that it is today. We not only serve students from the greater Virginia Beach area, but students from Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and even exchange students from Europe to Asia and even South America.

But above all else, VBFS is a community that values diversity and inclusivity, as our student body represents a wide variety of religious faiths, backgrounds and cultures. In keeping with the Quaker philosophy of honoring each individual, students representing different ethnic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds are challenged daily to respect and learn from one another.

Early School: Toddler, Pre-K, Kindergarten

Early School

We grow happy children! The life of every Early School student is a very busy one. It's a time of exploration and discovery. Our Early School program is designed to expand the knowledge and curiosity of our students and to lay the foundation for a lifetime love of learning.

Early School consists of three different classes:

The Cottage for 2.5 - 3.5-year old students – Reopening in the Fall of 2019!
Early Childhood for 3.0 - 4.5-year old students
Early Kindergarten and Kindergarten for 4.5 - 6-year old students

As a Friends School, Early School is a whole child approach to each child’s intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. The Early School program allows students to actively explore their environment. Classroom materials and experiences are designed to help children acquire visual and auditory skills, develop independence and self-discipline, and increase physical dexterity.

The VBFS Early School encourages students to learn how to cooperate in a group, take responsibility for themselves, and try new activities. Early school students learn through art projects, singing, dramatic play, outdoor activities, and so much more. We also develop early literacy skills through the letter of the week, reading with them and exploring books on their own, journaling with a focus on phonetic awareness. Math skills are shaped through hands on manipulations that focus on identifying patterns, developing number sense, counting, and problem solving. In Kindergarten students will begin learning these concepts with the Super Kids Reading and the Singapore Math Programs.

Middle School: 6th - 8th Grade

Middle School

Middle School is an exciting yet challenging time for young people as they navigate the transition from childhood to adolescence. Here at Friends, we provide a small and nurturing environment for students to grow, without the typical pressures found in Middle School.

Students productively explore this unique stage of life in an emotionally and physically safe environment. During this time, up and above preparing our students academically for high school, we emphasize organization skills, independence, responsibility, and decision making - stressing the importance of participation and involvement in the learning process. At the simplest and most profound level, we teach respect for self, for others, for school, and for the community.

Middle School affords students an opportunity to experience very real and varied environments. Whether it's oystering in the Lynnhaven River or journeying to the Sea of Cortez, our Middle School students challenge themselves to take risks and embrace the unexpected.

Come experience our campus and find out how middle school can be fun again!

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Testimonials

I am so grateful for Friends School! This is our second year, we started last year in their Cottage class for 3 year olds and Kindergarten. My children spent all summer asking when school started again. The warmth and caring of the teachers and staff is really remarkable and the campus itself offers my kids the ability to eat lunch outside, run off their energies and be in a community that is safe and nurturing. And I am so excited about the new leadership of the school! I have already seen so many wonderful changes-Friends is now becoming a huge part of our whole family's life, not just the kiddos school.

- Kimberly Vap

The Friends School has been an amazing part of our lives and our daughter is starting her second year there. We absolutely love how she has grown and learned from her experience there. Every day is an adventure for her and she comes home with stories to tell and praise for her classmates as well. Every student is a member of the school family and they all have a wonderful time learning together.

- Dallas Thurston

My children have been at Friends school for the past 5 years. I love the small, family environment and the opportunity for my children to grow academically. They have never been held back to grade level expectations when their ability is greater and they are encouraged to grow as learners. During the school wide picnics I can’t drag them away from their school. It really is a second home for them. My children are currently in middle and upper school and they have told me they couldn’t imagine being in any other school. Administration and staff are easily accessible and communication is frequent and ongoing. It takes a village and Friends School is my village.

- Lesa Leiden

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We are accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and an active member of the National Association of Independent Schools and Friends Council on Education.

Why Choose Virginia Beach Friends School

Experiential Learning

Founded in 1955, Friends continues a 350-year tradition of educational principles committed to an inquiry-based curriculum and experiential (hands-on) learning. We have progressed from a simple gathering of children to the thriving community that it is today. Our educators purposefully engage with students in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop their capacity to contribute to their community.

Friends Diversity

VBFS embodies the historical Quaker belief that each individual has a distinct inner light. VBFS is a community that values diversity and inclusivity, as our student body represents a wide variety of religious faiths, backgrounds, cultures, and interests. In keeping with the Quaker philosophy of honoring each individual, students representing different ethnic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds are challenged daily to respect and learn from one another.

Intimate Learning Environment

A Virginia Beach Friends School education is undoubtedly powerful, as each student directly benefits from small class sizes with individualized attention and support. At Friends, no classroom has more than 15 students, with an average student to teacher ratio of 6:1. In our classrooms, teachers are able to truly know each student and instruct to their needs, helping them thrive and grow as lifelong learners. Regardless of their interests, our approachable size enables students to have meaningful experiences as they pursue passions in and out of the classroom.

Convenient School Location

Located just miles from the Chesapeake Bay yet situated in the heart of the bustling Hampton Roads metropolitan area, our school's unique location our students to learn by doing. Whether harvesting oysters in local riverbeds for environmental science or performing a Fine Arts production at MOCA- VBFS students see their learning come to life. Plus, our balanced student to teacher ratio allows instructors to deliver an unprecedented level of attention to each individual learner, ensuring student success no matter the age or academic level.

Our Mission

Virginia Beach Friends School aims to educate the whole child, developing strong academic intellect and personal character, through recognition of each child’s individual light and living the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship.

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Academics And A Whole Lot More

Art & Music

The Art Studio at Friends was designed to become a creative workspace for every incoming student. The Music and Performing Arts Department is committed to providing students with diverse opportunities to gain a broad music education and to express themselves through the arts.

Library & Media

We like to think that the VBFS Library is a haven for our entire community. With a collection of over 20,000 books paired with digital and electronic resources - our students and their families are encouraged to freely use our facilities to become more informed and ethical users of information.

Learning Center

Every student’s educational journey is different. Our goal, above all else, is to ensure academic and social success in and out of the classroom. The Learning Center at Friends provides students with educational support, instruction, and organizational assistance that helps students reach their potential.

Guidance & Counseling

All students receive the support and mentoring needed to grow into their very best selves. Our Counseling Center is a place that assists students in becoming more aware of the importance of effective and positive socialization skills. The goal of our school counseling is to ensure students excel academically and develop the life skills needed for a successful future.

Extended Day Programs

AWe offer a morning and afternoon Extended Day Program designed to stimulate, engage and enrich our students well-beyond the traditional school day. Our staff supervises all age-appropriate activities both before and after our regularly scheduled days. Our Extended Day Programs are open to all Friends School students ages 3 through the 6th grade.

Athletics

Our physical education program is designed to focus and expand upon fundamental skill development, helping students succeed in both traditional and non-traditional athletics. We also teach our students how to develop a lifelong passion for health and wellness. With 22 sports programs and other recreational physical activities, athletics play a vital role in developing our students.

Tuition & Tuition Assistance

At Friends, we've created a rich, engaging curriculum designed to challenge and develop students at every level. Our hope is that each year, parents that invest in a Virginia Beach Friends School education feel as though this is the best investment they've ever made. We offers partial tuition assistance based on need and other significant considerations. Additionally we offer 5% Military Discount to all military families and a 10% sibling discount.

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