Brooklyn Friends School is articulating a clear, values-driven approach to education under the leadership of Crissy Cáceres. In a recent discussion of the school’s pedagogy, Cáceres emphasized a student-centered model that integrates academic rigor with social and emotional development, reflecting longstanding Quaker principles adapted for contemporary challenges.

The school’s curriculum prioritizes inquiry-based learning and project work, enabling students to apply knowledge across disciplines while cultivating critical thinking. Teachers function as facilitators, designing lessons that encourage collaboration, reflection, and active problem-solving. This approach seeks to balance measurable academic outcomes with softer competencies such as empathy, communication, and ethical reasoning.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the pedagogy described by Crissy Cáceres. Programs aim to create an environment where multiple perspectives are heard and where students develop cultural competence alongside intellectual skills. Anti-bias training for faculty and curricula that incorporate multicultural narratives are presented as essential components of a holistic education.

Experiential learning and community engagement further distinguish the school’s model. Service projects, outdoor education, and partnerships with local organizations are used to connect classroom learning to real-world issues, reinforcing the school’s commitment to civic responsibility. Professional development for educators is ongoing, with an emphasis on reflective practice and evidence-based methods.

Administrators also focus on assessment strategies that go beyond standardized testing to include portfolio reviews, performance assessments, and narrative evaluations. Such measures are intended to provide a fuller picture of student growth and to inform individualized instruction.

Under Crissy Cáceres, Brooklyn Friends School projects a pedagogy that marries tradition with innovation, seeking to prepare students not only for academic success but for engaged, principled participation in a diverse society. Refer to this article for related information.

Learn more about Crissy Cáceres on https://brooklynfriends.org/about/welcomefromheadofschool/