In a recent conversation with NetNewsLedger, Brooklyn Friends Schools head Crissy Cáceres outlined a pedagogical approach that blends Quaker principles with contemporary educational practice. Cáceres framed the school’s mission around cultivating thoughtful, engaged learners through a curriculum that prioritizes inquiry, collaboration and social-emotional development.

At the core of Brooklyn Friends School’s strategy is a student-centered model that emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning across grade levels. Teachers design interdisciplinary units that connect academic rigor to real-world problems, enabling students to apply critical thinking and creativity in tangible contexts. Cáceres stressed that assessment at Brooklyn Friends School extends beyond traditional testing to include portfolio work, performance tasks and reflective assessment that measure growth over time.

Quaker values — including community, integrity and respect for individual voice — inform classroom norms and institutional decision-making. Cáceres described how intentional community practices, such as restorative dialogue and regular reflection, foster an environment in which students learn civic responsibility as part of their academic life. Social-emotional learning is integrated into daily routines, ensuring that wellbeing is treated as a prerequisite for sustained intellectual engagement.

Equity and inclusion are also central to the school’s agenda. Crissy Cáceres highlighted professional development for faculty focused on culturally responsive pedagogy and differentiated instruction, aiming to meet diverse learners’ needs while maintaining high expectations. Technology is used strategically to support personalized learning and enrich collaboration, rather than as an end in itself.

Looking ahead, Brooklyn Friends seeks to sustain small-class dynamics and deepen partnerships with local organizations to expand experiential opportunities. Under Cáceres’s leadership, the school is positioning itself as a model for combining historical values with pedagogical innovation, preparing students to navigate complex social and academic landscapes with competence and conscience. Read this article for additional information.

Learn more about Crissy Cáceres on  https://futureofdiversity.gds.org/design-facilitation-committee/crissy-caceres/