“To be optimistic is to assume things will work out. To be hopeful is to realize things can work out if you work at them. Hope requires responsibility and agency; optimism relieves us of both.
In rooting for your sports team, choose optimism.
In rooting for democracy, choose hope.”
— Eric Liu
Hope is not wishful thinking. It is active and essential if we are going to build a more just world together, a world where we make Paul Wellstone’s vision a reality,
“We all do better, when we all do better.”
Hope as an Educational Practice
At Friends School, we embrace learning with hope. Hope is something students experience, practice, and carry with them into the wider world.
We do this by:
- humanizing history. We tell the truth about history and focus on the perspectives of the people involved and on the culture, resilience, perseverance, tactics, and power of resistance movements.
- sitting in silence and listening for our true voice. Students learn to be still, reflect and listen deeply to themselves and others.
- having fun. School is a place to learn and grow. It is also a place to have fun and revel in friendships, which also helps children learn and grow!
- embracing wonder and awe. Wonder and awe are important parts of the foundation of all learning. They spark curiosity. Our teachers nurture that spark, encouraging students to explore big questions. Those questions lead to problem-solving or wrestling with difficult topics.
- getting outside. Getting outside is good for you. We get outside and learn about the environment. We apply many different disciplines while studying outside. We move our classroom outside. We have fun outside.
- understanding that conflict is a part of life. Being committed to listening and understanding other perspectives will deepen relationships. When we have a conflict, we work together to listen to understand, have empathy, and stay in relationship.
- having a growth mindset. We celebrate effort, persistence, and curiosity. We learn from mistakes. We use the word, “yet.” “I haven’t learned that yet, but I will if I practice and apply myself.”
- considering the long-game. We know that change is needed overnight and we know that most often that isn’t possible. We encourage students to think beyond themselves and imagine a future they can help create.
Why Hope Matters
Hope is a vital force in education. It gives our students the confidence to take risks, the courage to care deeply, and the belief that their actions matter. In a world that can feel uncertain, hope keeps us moving forward together.
Are you looking for a school where learning is rooted in hope and guided by values?
Schedule a school-day tour and attend our last open house of the 2025-26 school year on Saturday, January 24th
