Message From Head of School
Welcome to Mary McDowell Friends School. We are immensely proud to be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. What began in 1984 as a single classroom in the Brooklyn Meeting House is now a thriving K-12 college preparatory school for students with learning disabilities, with more than 400 students in three buildings in Brooklyn.
For 40 years, we have been proving that students with learning disabilities succeed in school when they are given the attention and specialized resources they need. We support our students with small class sizes; structured, multisensory curricula; differentiated instruction; and an engaging approach to learning, empowering them to be their own best advocates at school and beyond. Our approach is student-centered, and our teachers are highly trained, deeply dedicated professionals. And since we know that learning extends beyond the classroom, our program incorporates the visual and performing arts, athletic teams, international travel, and a social justice practice. Quaker education is the foundation of our approach to helping students with learning disabilities reach their potential. Quaker values and a commitment to antiracism and equity serve as the guiding light for everything we do.
Come visit us and see for yourself. The moment you walk through the doors of our upper school in historic Brooklyn Heights, our middle school in vibrant Carroll Gardens, or the lower school in beautiful Boerum Hill, you will feel the warmth of our community. You will witness the richness of our comprehensive program that supports multitalented students and builds future leaders. Whether you walk by a classroom where our teachers are working their magic to bring curriculum to life, or you take in a musical performance, an art exhibit, or an athletic competition, you will know that you are in a place that loves and supports students. And you will experience the joy that comes from fulfilling our mission of “revealing brilliance” in our students.
We have big plans for the next 40 years of Mary McDowell Friends School, and we invite you to learn more about our brilliant community. We look forward to meeting you.
In Friendship,
André Del Valle
Head of School
Revealing Brilliance
You may have noticed the phrase “Revealing Brilliance” that is a part of Mary McDowell Friends School’s logo and that appears on our printed materials.
What does Revealing Brilliance mean? It means that our students come to Mary McDowell Friends School (MMFS) with their own individual skills, talents, and abilities. Through differentiated instruction, the commitment of our highly skilled teachers and support staff, and the rigorous academics we offer, our students succeed in school.
At MMFS every learner shines. We support our students to grow and to find their innate gifts and “inner light.” We provide them with opportunities to reach their full potential by understanding how they learn, drawing on their strengths, and encouraging them to meet their challenges. Our students work hard at academics, the arts, and athletics so their many talents can emerge.
When families start at MMFS, they often ask, “Can my child gain the skills needed for college?” Even parents of the very youngest children ask this question. The answer is yes! When children come to MMFS, they are welcomed into a brighter future. From our youngest students through our twelfth graders, our students come to understand how they learn best, how to self-advocate, and how to challenge themselves.
We equip them with the tools they need to thrive. Mary McDowell Friends School graduates succeed at some of the nation’s top colleges and universities. A few forge fulfilling career paths through hands-on programs that provide important life-skills. The MMFS experience empowers students to take an active role in learning at every level – lower, middle and upper school, college, and beyond. Students build a foundation at MMFS that will support them long after they’ve graduated.