We are first and foremost a Friends school. Reaching for “that of God” in everyone is our mission. That means we believe in children's capacity to learn, to build strong relationships, to be good citizens, to be the best they can be.
Through Quaker meeting for worship, our community comes together to listen and reflect in a noisy world. Students experience the intimacy and power of community which supports them both in and outside of the classroom. Our Quaker mission reminds us that we are not simply learning for learning's sake. Our students and graduates are challenged to use the privilege of a GFS education to make our world a better place.
The quality of our program depends on the people who are actually doing the work: our teachers and students. Our faculty are learners themselves. They continue to deepen their knowledge of their subject and also seek new means of inviting students into the learning process. Our students and alumni speak enthusiastically about their teachers who inspire, challenge, and guide them.
Likewise, our students themselves are key to the educational enterprise. I delight in their energy, ambition, creativity and humor. The atmosphere of engagement is palpable here because our students are eager to learn and enjoy collaborating with their classmates. GFS has been recognized as a national leader in diversity for over 40 years. In light of our globalized society, multicultural understanding is integral for 21st century learning. GFS is proud to reflect a degree of diversity exceptional among independent schools—a diversity encompassing race, religion, economic background, and gender and sexual identity. This diversity profoundly enriches the educational experiences of our school community.
During my years at GFS, I have learned that the story of GFS doesn't change: At the very heart of the school are Quaker testimonies which undergird our core values. Our faculty sustains those values while offering a challenging and exciting curriculum. We are blessed with talented, dedicated students and committed involved parents who give so much of themselves to this place.
Dick Wade
Head of School