We switched our kids to Friends Western last year. Our kids had been going to the best public school in Silverlake, but my eldest son was miserable. Every year was worse, with huge classes, mountains of boring homework, and kids that were increasingly mean. Had he stayed at the school, he would have been the 39th kid in his fourth grade class. Instead, he's the 11th kid in a 4th/5th class.
Friends Western has been TRANSFORMATIVE for him. He went from hating school and being so unhappy that one teacher told us to put him on anti-depressants, to loving school. For the first few months he literally thanked me every week. Why? Curriculum mumbo-jumbo aside, here are some concrete things that have made a difference for us:
CLASS SIZE. Even private schools that cost twice as much can't match the class size at Friends Western. There are no more than 14 kids in a classroom, and often fewer. PLUS teacher's aides. A really small class size means teachers can focus on every child, helping those that are struggling as well as those that are ready to move ahead. Kids are less stressed. And teachers can give kids the freedom and respect that my son craved.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL The kids are really nice to each other here, in large part because during playground time there is a wonderful instructor and multiple parents working with the kids and helping them negotiate conflict. Plus, all the teachers take time in the classes to work on social emotional development and any issues that come up.
MOVEMENT The kids spend less time sitting at desks, and more time engaging with the world. This includes: monthly hikes, weekly walks to the local library, weekly theater and yoga classes, weekly park day where kids do sports for every kind of kid (even Quidditch for non-sporty types like my son). Even in the classes, the teachers incorporate regular movement breaks.
LESS HOMEWORK Our last school started homework in kindergarten. It was tedious stuff, and it didn't work. Despite years of spelling homework, my son is a terrible speller. Friends Western has no homework until third grade, and then it's really interesting. He now has time for other interests, like reading.
QUAKER VALUES This is NOT a religious school. But the Quaker values help provide a sort of moral compass for the school. Kids are given time to reflect on issues outside themselves, and find ways to give back to the community.
And then there's the Co-op part. Honestly, this was the part I was least excited by. But the school works with parents to find a job that suits them. If you work full time in the day, you can join a committee that only meets at night. I've been able to help out on the playground once a week, and my kids love to see me at the school. I like being part of their school day; it helps me know whats going on with them.
Another Yelp reviewer complained that the school feels like a Start-up. And there's truth to that, both good and bad. The school has only been a Co-op for 6 years (it was run by the Quakers before that). In that time it went from 8 kids to 48. And while every year great progress is made, there are still bumps. This September we hired a wonderful administrator which is helping a lot. But if you want to join a school where everything has been decided and figured out years ago, this is not the place for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for something truly different for your kids, where you can have real input, then come check out this amazing little school. read more