Research Virginia Beach Friends School Private Schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia

“I had an exceptional experience at VBFS. They taught me to be curious, self-directed, considerate, innovative, crative and open. I think a Quaker education is priceless. I guarantee, the education and support I received from VBFS built my love of learning. Thank you teacher Phyllis.”

“I have been involved as a parent and as a volunteer at the school for 17 years. I am also an educator and a clinical psychologist. I have very high regard for the school and its leadership. My child is very successful in the adult world as a result of his education at the school. His work was individualized to meet his needs, and he was able to engage in sports, the arts, and student leadership programs that met his needs. He is now a software engineer at a dot.com.”

“As a convinced Quaker and member of VBFS community for over 26 years I have nothing for praise for VBFS. I have watched it grow into a fine preparatory school for college. I think it is one of the best kept secrets in Va Bch. We are working to correct that and put it in the forefront where it belongs.”

“We have been at Friends School for 8 years. We evaluate our child's progress and the quality of the school each year at contract time. We ve stayed because it is simply the best school for us. The academics are challenging and encourage our son to think outside the box, the atmosphere is loving and full of the Quaker values, the faculty is amazing and open to parental involvement. I find the communication between constituents has improved over the years with the use of bi-weekly email updates ( Insights and Updates ) and the headmaster hosts coffees once a month to chat with parents. The headmaster has competently blended a college preparatory program with discipline and high moral expectations. If you are considering an independent school for your child(ren) visit Friends.”

“I am the parent of an alumnus of VBFS and he continues to outshine many of his co-horts at a famous Ivy League University because of his empathy for others, his kindness, and his ability to teach others weel, all because of his 12 years at the school. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to help their children discover their true selves.”

“I am a parent of a graduate of VBFS who attended there from K-12. I am a college educator and was Dean of two colleges of education for 15 years. By far, Virginia Beach Friends School is the best school in the region for the following reasons - the educational philosophy of the school is the most progressive in its ability to teach the whole child. Lessons are individualized to meet the needs of a wide range of children who are seeking a college preparatory education. The teachers and administrators treat the children with great respect, and parents can be very involved if they have a positive attitude that matches the school environment. I have been amazed at some of the criticism of the school on these pages. None of it is warranted. My son has gone on to tremendous success in college and has a high paying job in the field of software engineering.”

“I changed schools 2 years ago. Friends was good for many things, but socially stifling and left me very few opportunities to engage in activities. Teachers were hit or miss.”

“If parents are looking for a school where their children can be academically challenged and happy, then please do yourself a favor and check this place out. I have met several high school students and I'm impressed with their confidence as well as their interests. Foreign exchange students enrich the environment.”

“I've only been to two other schools in my life, and by far Friends School is my favorite! I've made so many friends, everyone is warm and welcoming. The teachers are just as great, I couldn't be more excited. VBFS is the best!”

“We have been very pleased with Friends School. It is too bad that some parents feel the need to air their grievances here--not at all productive or beneficial for our gem of a school.”

“Headmaster is remote and will not intervene when a parent has a problem with a teacher. They have several young men in leadership positions though they have no people skills. The school work isn't advanced compared to public school and they lack so many facilities. Dependent on parent volunteers to do the interesting programs as they are financially challenged. Constant demand to donate more and to do manual labor on the property, on top of tuition. Not for everyone as only 7 kids graduated from the H.S. last year, only 27 students in the middle school. Horrible time for my kids”

“I have to agree with the most recent review (10/21/07). Having had children in both the Early and Lower Schools at VBFS for several years now, we have seen the academic programs only grow stronger in our years here. Parents seem very involved and linger on campus, so the comment from another reviewer about unfriendly adminstrators and poor communication seems odd to me. That has been far from our experience. Concerning other reviewers comments about 'special needs,' other schools in the region do handle kids with special needs. While VBFS does have a unique educational approach, they do not claim to be equipped for special needs kids. As with any school there are plusses and minuses, but overall we have been very pleased.”

“I am surprised by some of what I have read here. We have children in a couple of divisions at the school and have never had a problem with communication or unfriendly administrators. As for communication, Insights and Updates is emailed every two weeks and is full of information about what is going on at the school. The turnover has been quite minimal since we have been there so I found the comment about teacher turnover very confusing. My children are happy and we are pleased with the academic program. If you are thinking about attending VBFS, I would recommend a visit--then you can make up your own mind.”

“My two boys started at VBFS at age 3. The Lower School program was a wonderful experience for both of my children. However, the leadership of the school changed about 4 years ago and with the change the sense of 'community' that once defined Friends School completely declined. I have chosen to remove both of my sons and put them in a larger private school. Thankfully, my sons were able to experience some awesome teachers.”

“We are new to the area and enrolled our children a different private school last year. After we had been there a year, we realized the Friends School would be a much better fit for our kids. Since enrolling them in August we have seen a great improvement in their intellectual curiosity, their love of school, and most importantly, a strengthening moral compass. All of these were lacking in the other school. We have been very impressed with the Friends philosophy, academic rigor and sense of community. We are already looking forward to next year!”

“Community, Harmony, Equality, Simplicity. These are the four basic values on which VBFS was built and the values that they strive to instill in each of their students. These are things that cannot be taught from books but taught instead by fostering a sense of respect for themselves, others and their world. In addition, Friend's provides a top-notch academic curriculum which challenges each child and the Administration provides our kids with truly gifted teachers who work hard each day to help each child reach their full potential. We are in our 7th year at VBFS. My children LOVE the school and look forward to each new day and challenge. They are growing and learning and achieving in ways that every parent hopes for their children. I know they will be better adults having had this experience and we are grateful every day that this safe haven exists within our community.”

“A great school with a superb academic program. As a product of a Friends experience from preK through college, I can safely say that Virginia Beach Friends School is right on track with Quaker principles of education and bringing out the best in every student. My child has been through the Cottage, Kindergarten and is now in first grade at this school and has blossomed. As I can speak for the lower school, the program is well balanced and creative with weekly specialized classes in art/pottery, music, Spanish, library and physical education as well as frequent field trips oriented to educational and community outreach. The Virginia Beach Friends school community of families is small but diverse and expanding. Many of the parents are strongly involved in the school and are instrumental to its success -- a true community atmosphere.”

“friends school is a great place with the exception of the poor leadership from the top. The outside activities are lacking, the school is between two projects which have had incidents with the safety of the children and the PE department is lacking. The lower school is great but the middle and the upper is lacking. We will not be returning next year”

“My children have attended for several years and I am very pleased with the individual attention and the quality of the faculty. The lower and middle school programs are strong and the middle school curriculum is presented in a way that is perfect for my son. I m not sure if I ll keep my kids there through high school because they might want a bigger school, but I like the increased academic rigor and discipline standards the Headmaster has put in place in the high school. I can t speak for other parents, but I think the Headmaster is very open to parent concerns. I ve attended a few of his monthly coffee with parents and find him open and easy to talk to. Maybe he had a bad August 2006? All in all, I think it s a great little school!”

“This school is a fresh breath in the learning world. The teachers are wonderful and caring. The kids love the school and their teachers. Kids are treated with kindness and respect .Te school give a very safe space for kids to grow into successful adults. Friends School is all about the children. Liz Hobbs”

“This school is the highest quality and a most amazing place to learn and develop. My son started in eighth grade and has received an excellent education, personal attention, opportunities to excell and participate, good friends, and I am sure he is a better person because of the environment of Friends School. The teachers are accessible and helpful. He is more self confident. The Quaker philosophy adds significantly to the school at all levels. There is an opportunity for an advanced diploma and the expectations are high, each student is encouraged to succeed. From our experience, this is definately 'the education every child deserves.'”

“The Pre-School Cottage Program is EXCEPTIONAL. Developmentally appropriate activities, well experienced staff that implement Quaker ideals. Lower school experience was adequate. Quaker ideals still in place. The school seems to be trying to find a new indentity and the new path does not see based on Quaker ideals. Many lower school teachers there are quality teachers and are about kids. The school needs and expects a great deal parent support and money beyond tuition for daily activities. Parents often drive for field trips and appropriate car safety is not practiced.Teacher pay is poor. Many children in classes have learning and behavior problems and teacher to student ratio is not really as low as they claim. Can go as high as 18-1 in lower school. Good music program.”

“Fantastic school experience so far (Early, Lower and Middle Schools). Friends fosters a warm, caring community that respects each individual. There is great mutual respect b/w teachers and students, and respect for all peoples and cultures is emphasized. Your child can soar and not be stuck in a grade-level curriculum. The administration has been very accommodating--my son in Middle School went ahead in math and languages with great results. Middle School curriculum is thematically-based and is just awesome--my son didn't want the year to end last year! Yes, it's a small school so extracurriculars are obviously limited and the physical plant isn't what you'd have at the Megabucks private schools in the area, but my kids and I love it. We're looking forward to the HS experience.”

“Lower/school is worth the $$$$. Middle/Upper consider area/public schools. School is about needing $$$$$ & census. New building went to administration/Library instead of brokentrailer Middle School uses. Principal delagates instead of addressing serious issues/spending. Parents shuttle fieldtrips&sports. No lunch facilities, brownbag/huge teacherslounge should be newclassroom instead of studentrailor. Costly to attend/compared to other private schools. School has broken down bus, demand parent transport. Need diversity, so paying parents support diversity unfair to full tuition parents.”

“Friends is a good lower school, however the upper is lacking direction. The school does not offer a lot of outside activities, the sports have a lot to be desired with poor direction. The Principle lack leader ship- pass the buck. The lower school is a real value. Close attention to development and well run. The middle school has teachers that are very closed minded. The school does have a family atmosphere, but the parent involvement is low.”