by Honor Taft, Head of School

Back in 2019, our faculty and staff came together to develop a “portrait of a graduate” of Friends School. The idea behind creating such a portrait is to truly dig into the mission of our school and endeavor to translate it into a description of the skills and character of the young people we aim to nurture through our program. This process involved many conversations and multiple rounds of wordsmithing until we ultimately agreed on this: Our Graduates are our gifts to the world. They are curious, creative, collaborative, resilient, compassionate, advocates… and Friends.

Those familiar with Friends School’s rituals and traditions know that “gifts to the world” refers to our fall ceremony in which we recognize each child for the gifts they bring to the world. The words  “and Friend” are the ceremonial closing to the “namings” we give to each student in our community twice per year.

This Portrait of a Graduate is more than just a vision—it is a commitment to how we cultivate these qualities in our students every day. Our curriculum, classroom culture, and approach to learning are all designed to nurture the habits of mind and heart that will prepare our students for an unpredictable world. One of the most powerful ways we do this is by fostering an entrepreneurial way of thinking.

At Friends School, we believe that nurturing an entrepreneurial culture cultivates essential skills that prepare our graduates for an ever-changing world. Entrepreneurship is not just about starting businesses—it’s about fostering creativity, resilience, and problem-solving. By encouraging young learners to think critically, take initiative, and embrace challenges, we help them develop the confidence to pursue new ideas and navigate uncertainty. These qualities are vital, not only for future careers but for life in general, where adaptability and innovation drive success.

When students engage in hands-on, project-based learning that emphasizes curiosity and experimentation, they get to experience challenges as opportunities. Whether through designing solutions to real-world problems, collaborating on community initiatives, or taking on leadership roles in projects, they learn the value of persistence and adaptability. At Friends School, this kind of thinking is reinforced through play-based learning in the early years and through increasingly complex, student-driven projects as our students grow. By creating environments where failure is a stepping stone to success, we help students build the resilience and flexibility necessary for lifelong learning.

Beyond the classroom, an entrepreneurial mindset prepares students to be proactive, engaged citizens. The world needs individuals who not only have strong academic foundations but also the ability to think independently and act on their ideas. By fostering initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to take thoughtful risks, we equip students with the tools to lead, create, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. In this way, an entrepreneurial education is not just about preparing students for the next step in their journey—it’s about empowering them to shape the future with purpose and confidence.