In a recent profile, Brooklyn Friends School’s head of school, Crissy Cáceres, outlined a pedagogy rooted in Quaker values and contemporary best practices in independent education. Cáceres emphasized a student-centered approach that balances rigorous academics with social-emotional learning, experiential projects and sustained inquiry to prepare students for an increasingly complex world.
Under Crissy Cáceres’s leadership, the school prioritizes collaborative classrooms where teachers act as facilitators, guiding inquiry-based and project-oriented work that integrates arts, sciences and humanities. The approach places equity and inclusion at the center of curriculum development, with ongoing professional development to ensure faculty are equipped to address diverse learning needs and to foster culturally responsive classrooms.
Community engagement and restorative practices are also central to the school’s model. Crissy Cáceres highlighted the importance of building strong relationships among students, families and staff, noting that a sustained focus on communication cultivates a resilient and compassionate school culture. Extracurricular and service-learning opportunities extend classroom learning into real-world contexts, reinforcing civic responsibility and critical thinking.
The Brooklyn Friends School’s commitment to innovation includes leveraging outdoor and experiential learning to enhance student curiosity and problem-solving. Technology is used thoughtfully to support inquiry rather than replace hands-on engagement, and assessment practices emphasize growth, reflection and mastery over high-stakes testing.
As Brooklyn Friends navigates contemporary challenges in education, Cáceres underscored the enduring relevance of Quaker principles—simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship—translated into modern pedagogical strategies. The result, she argued, is an educational environment that aims to develop not only academic proficiency, but also ethical leadership and lifelong learners prepared to contribute thoughtfully to society. Refer to this article for related information.
More about Crissy Cáceres on https://issuu.com/brooklynfriendsschool/docs/thelifeed2/s/14315878