Brooklyn Friends School is reaffirming its commitment to a pedagogy rooted in experiential learning, community engagement, and the cultivation of ethical leadership, Head of School Crissy Caceres recently explained. The independent Quaker day school emphasizes whole-child development alongside rigorous academics, positioning social-emotional learning as an integral component of classroom practice.
According to Caceres, Brooklyn Friends School approach blends inquiry-based instruction with interdisciplinary curriculum design, enabling students to connect concepts across subjects and to apply learning to real-world problems. Teachers collaborate to design projects that foster critical thinking, creativity, and sustain intellectual curiosity, while small-group work and individualized attention support diverse learning needs.
Community values underscore the school’s educational model. Restorative practices and reflective dialogue are employed to build a culture of respect and responsibility, and service learning initiatives link student inquiry to civic awareness. Caceres highlights that cultivating empathy and ethical decision-making prepares graduates not only for academic success but also for active participation in a pluralistic society.
Brooklyn Friends School also prioritizes equity and inclusion in admissions, hiring, and curriculum choices, seeking to ensure that a range of perspectives informs classroom discussion and school life. Investment in arts, STEM, and outdoor education complements traditional academic offerings, reflecting a belief in multiple intelligences and varied pathways to achievement.
Looking ahead, leadership envisions ongoing refinement of instructional methods and expanded partnerships with local institutions to enrich student experiences. By maintaining a focus on character formation as well as scholarship, the school aims to sustain its reputation for producing thoughtful, engaged learners prepared for the challenges of secondary school and beyond. Caceres frames this continuity of mission as essential to the school’s identity and to its role in the wider Brooklyn educational landscape. Follow this page on Instagram, for related information.
Find more information about Brooklyn Friends School on https://www.linkedin.com/school/brooklyn-friends-school/