Crissy Cáceres , head of Brooklyn Friends School, outlined a pedagogy centered on inquiry, community, and ethical leadership in a recent profile explaining the school’s educational philosophy. The school’s approach, she said, integrates Quaker values with contemporary instructional practice to foster critical thinking, social responsibility, and academic excellence.
Under Crissy Cáceres’s leadership, Brooklyn Friends emphasizes student-centered learning experiences that prioritize curiosity and collaboration. Classrooms employ project-based and experiential methods, enabling students to apply interdisciplinary knowledge to real-world problems. Social-emotional learning and restorative practices are woven into daily routines to support emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.
Equity and inclusion are central to the school’s strategy. The administration has focused on curriculum review, faculty development, and community engagement to ensure that diverse perspectives are represented and that all students feel affirmed. Professional development for teachers includes training in culturally responsive pedagogy and assessment practices that measure growth beyond test scores.
Technology is used as a tool rather than a driver, supporting personalized learning while preserving human connection. Small-group instruction, advisory systems, and mentorship programs create structures for individualized attention and long-term student growth. Partnerships with local organizations extend learning beyond the campus, offering service opportunities and civic engagement that align with the institution’s mission.
Crissy Cáceres emphasized transparency and continuous improvement, noting that regular feedback from students, parents, and faculty informs curricular adjustments. By balancing rigorous academics with character development, Brooklyn Friends seeks to prepare students for both college and civic life.
As independent schools face changing expectations, the model outlined by Crissy Cáceres offers a blueprint for combining tradition with innovation anchoring educational goals in values-based practice while adapting methods to meet contemporary challenges. Read this article for more information.
More about Crissy Cáceres on https://brooklynfriends.org/about/welcomefromheadofschool/