Why Alexandria Friends School?
What Are People Saying About AFS?
Finding the Alexandria Friends School was a godsend! Our ADD son was convinced that he was "stupid" (which his IQ scores belied) and absolutely hated school. He looks forward to school everyday and is doing well in subjects that were previously a challenge. When I asked what the difference was at Alexandria Friends, he said: "the teachers treat us and respect us like equals." It seems it is this one single element that has helped unlock my son's natural love of learning again. He is even learning to love subjects that he thought he had no interest in. While the small enrollment size was initially of concern, I now realize that it is a gift... like having private tutors and mentors. As Yeats said, "Education is not so much the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." We are so pleased that AFS is providing the perfect "match" for our son!
—L.C., Falls Church
We feel extremely fortunate to have found Alexandria Friends School. Our daughter, a first-year student at AFS, is academically engaged and excited about school–and that's a real turnaround. She's getting an individualized education in the truest sense–very small classes, assignments tailored to her interests and skills, and teachers who take a real interest in her progress and style of learning. It's a school where open communication–among students, teachers, and parents–is emphasized and where such values as honesty and integrity matter. Our only regret is that we didn't stumble across AFS sooner.
—B.H., Falls Church
I am a professional tutor in private practice. I work with an AFS student and have frequent contact with the school. I am impressed by the careful, interesting, and interested teaching. Equally important is the caring environment created by the director and teachers. Here is a school where students feel valued and heard. This is skillfully accomplished by staff who set logical and appropriate boundaries, as required. The intelligent teaching, organization of the curriculum, and choice of teaching materials promote mastery of content and skills–not a march through a textbook. In all, AFS helps restore or maintain students' self-esteem and interest in learning. Success leads to success and AFS knows how to make that happen for its students, including those who have found academic and/or social success elusive in the past.
—C.Y., Alexandria
AFS is a nurturing environment where students are able to really learn and grow. I know this from my first-hand experience in the classroom. I have worked at AFS for some years now and have seen students regain their confidence and really blossom into learners. The small size of the school is truly an advantage in that it allows the students to get the attention they need, and allows me to get to know them on a personal basis. That way I can better suit the curriculum to their interests. This helps get them on their way to becoming better learners and teaches them lessons that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
—B.A., Washington DC
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