Our Founding
Princeton Friends School was founded in 1987 by a small group of seasoned educators with the radical insight: the spirit of a Quaker meeting—where truth emerges from many voices in quiet reflection—belongs at the heart of a school. Our founding head saw deep parallels between meeting for worship and the best classroom discussions: learning is collaborative rather than competitive, every student holds a piece of the truth, and understanding grows through listening, inquiry, and shared responsibility.
At the heart of our school is the Quaker notion of a transcendent spirit – “that of God” – in each person, paired with an understanding that learning is best carried out in a community in which all members are supporting and celebrating one another's growth and progress.
Intertwined and completely consistent with these Quaker underpinnings are the tenets of progressive education to which the founders adhered: an experiential, constructivist, collaborative, and socially-engaged pedagogy that encourages each student to reach full potential intellectually, socially, and ethically.
From that vision came Princeton Friends school--committed to hands-on, inquiry-driven learning; teachers as guides; honoring both silence and student voice; mixed-age collaboration; and assessment that prioritizes growth over grades.
Rooted in Quaker testimonies, weekly “settling in,” and a culture of service and peaceful problem-solving, the school was created so that every child is truly seen, challenged, and cherished—and becomes more fully themselves as a thinker, community member, and human being.
| Our Roots Through Today |
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Our roots go back to 1781 when a small school was opened on the 10-acre grounds of the Princeton Monthly Meeting. Contrary to the times, the little Quaker school was open to all, regardless of financial means or family status. A larger one-room schoolhouse, adjacent to the Meetinghouse, was built in 1800 and served the community for decades. After it fell into disrepair, the old schoolhouse was dismantled around 1900, during a period in which dozens of Friends schools were cropping up throughout the Delaware Valley. Our history is not a museum piece—it’s a living promise. Our conviction still guides us as we evolve—pairing progressive pedagogy with current research, centering Quaker values in daily practice, and refining programs in partnership with families. The result is a joyful, rigorous education that honors each learner’s light while preparing them to think critically, act with integrity, and contribute to a more just and compassionate world. |
