Virginia Beach Friends School

We're in the middle of our second year at VBFS. Our daughter is thriving! She loves going to school every morning, and is sad to leave each afternoon. The teachers and staff are all fully engaged and committed, and it shows. The teacher/student ratio is fantastic, with lots of individual attention. The only drawback for us is that there is no dedicated drama teacher or yoga this year. Our daughter loved the plays last year, and the yoga instruction, and misses both this year. But she has LOVES music, art, technology, P.E., square dancing, and Spanish, as well as her regular academics. We look forward to continuing at Friends School.

I'm almost reluctant to share all the amazing things about Friends in hopes that we can keep this school as VB's best kept secret, and keep it small but here goes! My family and I LOVE Friends school. I realized early in my child's education years that my expectations in a school were that well above what was being offered in public school. After looking into all the private schools in VB we decide on Friends. What stood out to me were the amazing Quaker principles that the foundation of the school stood on, the mindfulness being taught and the small quaint school environment. In addition to that financially Friends school is way more cost effective than all the other private schools. Our family has been at Friends going on 3 years and I have nothing but great things to say. This year we were introduced to a new head of school that has been an amazing breath of fresh air and is working diligently to take the school to the next level. This school is the school for us and the people their are our tribe!

Excellent academically, very caring and compassionate teachers, head master and staff nurturing the minds of children and helping them to succeed in all areas. Classes are small which enable dedicated teachers to meet individual learning styles and needs. There is a real sense of unity and community within the school and parent support. Great environment, great staff, great education, we are looking forward to many happy years at VBFS!

While I am not familiar with the academics of this school, they do a great job with customer service. I have been in touch with them to do business and every time I talk to someone there, they are always helpful. Today, in fact, they are calling me back to get an answer to a question as their phone system is down.This is a rarity in today's world and I'm sure it translates into the lives of the students they touch and all they do.

Friends School education is grounded in values that nurture the students passion, strengths, critical thinking, community, and leadership. We're very happy our daughter attends Friends School.

What drew me to VBFS was their philosophy around educating the whole child. The school's focus is wonderfully balanced between academic, social, and emotional growth from 3 years old to grade 12. Class material is presented from many different perspectives to facilitate complete comprehension as opposed to rote memorization. The admin and teachers bring to the table a passion, ingenuity, enthusiasm and true understanding of childhood development and academic excellence.

I love the school. Great teachers and academics. Good diversity. It goes through K-12th grade. Nice learning environment. Also, very fun classes. Highly recommended for kids who can handle high expectations.

Ultimately, this is a great school is you are "well-to-do" and your child is a perfect little angel. We do not fall into that category but really didn't want to put our little one into public school. The tuition is far too high, for starters, but again, this seems to be the ideal place for the "rich" kids (don't mean that negatively). I think teachers choose to work there knowing they are going to get to work with proper little kids who are easy to manage. Our son has a few behavioral issues, but not more so than a normal little boy with a bit too much energy. We constantly had to hear about all the little things they thought he did wrong during the day, and of course talked about all that right in front of him. It is to the point where he now goes around saying he is "horrible" because he "failed in school." Good job Friends! He was by far the smartest kid in his class, but just be aware that VBFS doesn't value performance as much as they do perfectly behaved kids who may fall behind but who fall in line with directives 100% of the time. This school is going to be fine for some people, but for a "normal" kid, not so much. We had already decided to move him out of this sad environment, but I did find it funny today that we received a letter telling us that he is not welcome back at the school for next year. I am just surprised that these classless non-educators didn't just call and tell him that on the phone. Really just did him more harm than good going forward. Good riddance to this "school"! Stay away if you are smart...