Where Children Are Known and Valued: A Year at United Friends School

UFS Editorial
6 days ago
2 min read

What makes a year at United Friends School so special isn't one big event. It's the small moments that happen every day. The questions students ask. The confidence they gain. The friendships they build. The joy they find in learning.

As we look back on the 2025–2026 school year, we're reminded of just how much growth can happen in one year.

Learning Our Values

At UFS, our Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship aren't just words on a wall. They are part of daily life.

This year, students reflected on what these values mean to them, and their responses were thoughtful, honest, and often inspiring.

One student described Peace as:

"An abundant sense of calmness and freedom, and a feeling of being fully grounded where you are."

Another shared:

"Community is like glitter... bad when it spills but decorates the world."

And when talking about Stewardship, one of our youngest students simply said:

"I would plant flowers to give the earth love."

These moments remind us that children are capable of remarkable insight when given the space to think, reflect, and grow.

Learning That Sticks

Some of the best learning happens when students can experience it for themselves.

Whether exploring the creek, presenting projects during Curriculum Nights, performing at Poetry and Literacy Night, or taking on new challenges in the classroom, students were actively engaged in their learning throughout the year.

At UFS, we want students to understand what they're learning, ask questions, make connections, and feel confident sharing their ideas. That's what helps learning stick.

A Year Full of Connection

There were so many meaningful moments this year.

Students worked together during service projects, shared meals at Friendsgiving, built relationships through Secret Pals and Partner Time, and took the stage during our Talent Show.

These experiences may seem simple, but they are an important part of what makes our community feel so connected. They help students build confidence, empathy, leadership, and a strong sense of belonging.

What Families Notice

One thing we hear often from families after they visit UFS is:

"It just feels different."

They notice classrooms where students are engaged and comfortable being themselves. They see a community where children are known. And they feel the warmth and kindness that are part of everyday life here.

Behind every Creek Study, Friendsgiving, Meeting for Worship, and Curriculum Night is a team of educators who show up prepared and fully present for the children and families they serve.

At the end of the year, the UFS faculty gathered for a final photo, full of familiar faces and warm smiles. These are professionals who know your children well, their strengths, challenges, and personalities, and who also come to know the families behind them. That relationship matters. It helps children feel seen and supported, and it gives families trusted partners in their child’s growth.