Wellsprings Friends School is an alternative learning community for high school students. We believe that young people have a natural desire to learn and can be excited and inspired by creative learning experiences and a nurturing environment. Education at Wellsprings is an opening up, not a filling up. We take the time to get to know each student and her/his individual learning needs. Students turned off or frustrated by their prior educational experiences typically thrive in our environment. Wellsprings Friends School is grounded on our belief in the inherent goodness and Light within every individual. Our staff continually interact with students in ways that affirm the integrity, creativity and sacredness of each person. We foster a community climate of affirmation and mutual respect. There is no place at Wellsprings for shame, blame or other psychic pain. We use dialoguing and problem-solving to deal with behavioral issues that arise in the community. Our deep caring is manifested through simultaneous kindness and firmness, freedom and limits. Developing an internal sense of responsibility, rather than externally imposed controls, is the goal. We strive to exemplify the Quaker essentials of seeing the good in each person, honesty, simplicity, equality, peaceful resolution of conflict, and working together in community.
