OUR EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

THE FUNDAMENTALS Our curriculum emphasizes social-emotional intelligence, community building, peaceful conflict resolution, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
NATURE & NURTURE We prioritize outdoor play on our beautiful 5-acre campus set serenely among the trees.
ENGAGED STUDENTS Students learn in a collaborative atmosphere guided by a child-centered, experiential and play-based curriculum taught by experienced teachers.
ENGAGED PARENTS CFS community members are encouraged to volunteer for classroom enrichment and to participate in school-wide events.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

In the Friends tradition, our peaceful and nurturing environment inspires children to become confident, empathetic, creative and capable. Our curriculum fosters critical thinking and encourages children to view themselves as problem-solvers.

EDUCATION OF THE WHOLE CHILD Focus is on cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. CFS meets children where they are developmentally and provides age-appropriate challenges and opportunities for individualized growth.
CALM, PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE Teachers set the tone for a warm, engaging early childhood community. While the classrooms are full of life and energy, CFS aims to be a haven from the commercialism and busy-ness of the modern world.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Language development, mathematical concepts and critical thinking are all fostered and developed through dramatic play, manipulatives, open art, as well as sensory experiences, reading, music and exploration of nature.
CULTURE OF RESPECT Children are valued as individuals and careful attention is paid to understanding and respecting each child. Children learn empathy and compassion for others.
PROGRAM ENRICHMENTS Students enjoy regularly scheduled enrichment classes, including interactive music and movement classes with play-based instruction, mindfulness with leaders certified in “Mindful Education”, regular story time with the Wilton Library Children’s Librarian, and visits from other members of the community—from firefighters, to artists, to African drummers.

Since 1957, Connecticut Friends School has offered a play-based, child-centered preschool program where children blossom under the care and guidance of nurturing, experienced teachers. We offer a responsive program that focuses on each child and customizes curriculum and projects based on each unique group of children.

Our play-based learning encourages problem-solving and creativity while building a community founded on respect, kindness, and celebration of the unique contributions of every child.

We recognize that all children are born for discovery, with curiosity and wonder to drive their learning, with eager bodies to stretch and experience the world.

OUR COMMUNITY

Since the opening of the first Friends School in Philadelphia in 1689, Friends education has steadfastly maintained that social and ethical development are just as important as academic excellence in the education of a child.

Friends Schools stand as beacons for tolerance, love, and mutual understanding. A Friends School cares deeply about the type of individuals its students are becoming.

Friends schools believe that the curriculum is enhanced if children from all walks of life (including all faiths) learn more about each other and come to respect and celebrate differences. Friends schools believe that education is preparation for the whole life: the lively development of intellectual, physical, and social-emotional capacities.

The school's educational philosophy is guided by Quaker values: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship (SPICES).