BELONGING AND COMMUNITY

We will nurture and invest in a diverse community where everyone is valued, cared for, and belongs.

Our Strategies:

  • Deepen our commitment to what is essential, including our rootedness in Quaker values, our rituals and traditions, our connection to the Spirit, and our culture of joyful learning.

  • Design and implement policies and practices to center a shared vision of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for the Friends School of Portland community. 

  • Increase our capacity to support student, staff, and family social-emotional well-being.

  • Formalize and deepen our connections with alumnx.

“In 5 years, I will be in eighth grade and be a really good friend!”

FIRST STEPS…

  • Faculty and staff have convened a Student Integrity Committee meeting this November. This committee will continue to meet on an ad hoc basis.

  • The Quaker Life Committee received a grant to compile a Faith and Practice pamphlet in the 2023-2024 school year to lend understanding to how Quakerism lives at Friends School of Portland.

  • This Fall, we have begun our first Admission Self-Audit with guidance from the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE).

PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP

We will strengthen our inquiry-based, community-engaged program so that our students are prepared to enter the world with confidence, competence, joy, and a sense of purpose. 

Our Strategies:

  • Review, revise, and renew our curriculum, pedagogy, and practice to more fully align with our Inquiry-Reflection-Action approach to teaching and learning as a community of seekers.

  • Clarify and align the vision and goals of programming beyond the school day to match the needs of families and students.

  • Cultivate and deepen mutually beneficial partnerships with educational and nonprofit organizations in our local community and beyond to more fully live our mission and values.

“In 5 years, we will…

…still take care of bugs.”

…might find a dinosaur.”

…read books - for real!”

…be good friends with people and each other.”

FIRST STEPS…

  • We prioritized students’ overnight trips in our 2023-2024 school year budget. The trips are now included in tuition for Grades 3-6. The 7-8 end-of-year trips still have a family and fundraising component but we have retained a modest cost even as the experience has broadened.

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

We will prepare for the future with a sustainable financial model, consistent with our Quaker values of integrity, truth, equality, peace, community, and simplicity.

Our Strategies:

  • Formalize a facilities plan (including grounds, buildings, transportation, and technology), which will enhance our student and community experience.

  • Augment our current financial model by increasing non-tuition revenue and enhancing our culture of philanthropy to connect our community and mission thoughtfully and effectively.

  • Strengthen our ability to offer fair and attractive compensation that enables a diverse, highly qualified faculty and staff to thrive. Simultaneously, develop a tuition and financial aid structure that best supports our community.

“In 5 years, I will be in eighth grade and read my favorite books more times than I can count.”

FIRST STEPS…

  • Faculty and staff work computers are covered in the 2023-24 budget.

  • The Board Finance Committee is actively forming our first Investment Committee. We successfully doubled our endowment in honor of our first 100 graduates and the Class of 2023 - raising just over $100,000.