Buckingham Friends School

Buckingham Friends School, a private Quaker school in Lahaska, Pennsylvania was founded in 1794. The current Quaker Meetinghouse was built in 1754. The school started out as a small schooolhouse. An addition was put on in the 1930s, followed by the gymnasium in 1955 and the lower school building. Another addition was built in 2002/2003. The school provides for grades K-8. Upper School curriculum includes: Advanced algebra, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geology, American History, Model Congress, Art, World Religion, Biology, Sex Education, and Music.

Philosophy

The school emphasizes growth of the students academically, intellectually, spiritually, and ethically by engaging students, their families and the Quaker community in the educational process. Students are given the opportunity to become well-grounded in core Quaker values such as non-violence, integrity, simplicity, mutual respect and trust. The school does this by offering activities that promote clear and careful thinking, accountability, the value to one-self to be found in serving others, the value of creativity, and a love for learning. This prepares them to seek and achieve greater success in life.

The warm atmosphere and small classes provide for a community in which children can grow, learn, and become their own person, with room to make decisions for themselves and find their own individual views. Although each class attends a forty minute meeting for worship on Thursdays, there are a wide range of religious views within the school community.

The JEM program

The JEM (Joint Environmental mission) program started in 1991. It is a foreign exchange program with an environmental theme. The exchange includes schools in Montmorillon, France, St. Petersburg, Russia, Haiti, Honolulu Hawaii, Melbourne, Australia, Nanchang, China, and Rio Blanco, Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador. The first school was in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Former schools in countries include South Africa and India. They are looking at a school in Kenya for a future relationship. In 2008, students went to Hawaii and France. In April 2009, an Earth Summit will occur with all the schools staying at Buckingham Friends School.

General information

Base Religion: Quaker
Students: approx. 175
Grades: K-8
Classes Per Grade: 1
Extracurricular Activities: Music, Art, Woodshop, Photography, Acting, and many others.
Sports: Basketball, Softball, Field Hockey, Yoga, Soccer, and Lacrosse.
Principal: Scott Baytosh
Website: http://www.bfs.org

ource

[http://www.bfs.org Buckingham Friends School Home]